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and the despised things – and the things that are
not – to nullify the things that are, so that no
one may boast before him.” It becomes clear that
God’s will is involved, whenever one comes to
faith. The way this happens, and to what extent,
remains for us an unfathomable mystery. But it is
nonetheless certain that, just as God has a free
will, we also have been given a free will:
– God did not create puppets which can only do
what the puppeteer wants.
– He did not create robots which function
according to pre-determined programs.
– He did not create trained creatures, mindlessly
carrying out their practised routines – we are
not performing circus animals.
We have to keep in mind that our will has also
been adversely affected in this fallen world. Even
the great apostle Paul confesses: “For what I do is
not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not
want to do – this I keep on doing” (Rom 7:19).
We have been given great freedom, with the
result that:
– We can choose between heaven and hell.
A greater range of choice can scarcely be
imagined.
– We can wage wars, but also live in peace.
– We can do good or evil. This covers a very wide
area – from the horrors of Auschwitz to the
sacrificial services of many a missionary.
God observes everything with great patience, but
He will eventually and definitely judge everybody:
“The dead were judged according to what
they had done as recorded in the books” (Rev
20:12).
Like God, we can evaluate
and judge
God evaluates our lives in judgment: “we will all
stand before God’s judgment seat” (Rom 14:10).
And we read in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive what is due him for
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the things done while in the body, whether good
or bad.” We too are able to analyse our life and
situations, to set priorities, and to evaluate completed
tasks and solutions. But we should not
judge and condemn one another: “So then, each
of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one
another. Instead, make up your mind not to put
any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s
way” (Rom 14:12-13).
Like God, we can love
“God is love”, as we read in 1 John 4:16. If we
belong to God, we will also radiate love: “All men
will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another” (John 13:35), and all Christians
should be recognised by their love: “Do everything
in love” (1 Cor 16:14). The well-known
British evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 –
1892) put it this way: “As long as you live, do
everything for the love of Christ. Let your hands
and fingers work love, let your brain and eyes
radiate love, fight in love, pray with love, speak
lovingly, and live a life of love.”
Love, compassion and mercy are related. Here
also God is the First Cause: “Praise be to the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion” (2 Cor 1:3). Consequently, we
should also practise this ability: “Be merciful, just
as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Like God, we can be faithful
and true
Another characteristic of God is faithfulness: “If
we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he
cannot disown himself” (2 Tim 2:13). His faithfulness
never falters. What God has promised, He
will carry out. During Old Testament times God
continually promised that the Saviour would
come. This promise was fulfilled when Jesus
came at the most appropriate moment: “But
when the time had fully come, God sent his Son”
(Gal 4:4). God also made several covenants with
people, like that with Noah (Gen 8:21 – 9:17),