Settled Purposes of God
Decrees of God. These are the comprehensive and glorious design of Divine wisdom in the creation and the government of the universe. The settled purposes of our Creator, are those which fore-ordain, perform, permit, endure and sustain all which come to pass.
The question is, can this statement be proven through Scriptures? Those who profess and teach this doctrine use the following verses as a prooved text.
Dan.4:24, Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar concerning the king's dream, "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king."
Acts 15:18, "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world."
Eph.1:11, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."
The above verses present a strong arguments. This doctrine has been the subject of one of the most perplexing controversies among men who debate the Bible, this owing mainly to misapprehension of this teachings true nature, and of the consequences. Is this a novel doctrine, one to be taken lightly? I don't think so.
Is it possible that whatever occurs in this world, or in the lives of individuals, is a direct result of an unalterable arrangements made by God, who rules over all things?
Traces of this thinking can be found in philosophy of many ancient people and nations. The ancient stoics, and the Essenes asserted the existence of a God, who acted wisely, plans, implements, and then manages the general systems of this world. This is accomplished through a series of causes, concluding in unavoidable results, and effects. In some ways prayer may redirect God's purpose in our lives, but the end results of the whole will be the same.
Mahomet introduced in his book the Koran the doctrine of an absolute predestination concerning the course of human affairs. He represented life and death, prosperity and adversity, and dictates each and every event that will befall a man in this world. This being the unavoidable results of a previous determination by the one God who rules over all.
Augustine Calvin, and other early reformers favored this doctrine in a more palatable form. They embracing, not excluding man's responsibility. From God come real designs and settled determinations founded on His comprehensive views and sovereign pleasure.
Isa.40:14, "With whom took He (God) counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding?"
Or are God's views the results of deliberations coming from within the Godhead? Or from within Himself, reasoning in Himself about the expediency or inexpediency of things? Or are they merely contingent and fluctuating ideas of things future? Are these conclusions true?
God's designs and decrees are to be considered eternal, for God is eternal, resulting in His purposes being eternal.
Job 23:13-14, "He (God) is in one mind (unique) and who can turn Him = (make Him change?) and what His soul desireth, even that He doeth. For He performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with Him."
His decrees are without compulsion, not moved by impatience, intolerance, anger, restlessness fuss, nor excited by ANY motives coming from within.
Rom.9:15, God said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
God's decrees are infinitely wise; they put on display His glory, and the finished work of Jesus Christ. These are the things which promote the truth, and the general good for all mankind.
Rom.11:33, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding our!"
His decrees are fixed, this resulting from God's being infinitely perfect.
Mal.3:6, "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
His designs and decrees are universal, they relating to all creation, the things in heaven, in earth, in the sea, under the earth, and in hell.
Eph.1:11, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."
Prov.16:4, "The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (doom.)"
His decrees are in part secret, at least only so far as He is pleased to reveal them to us. We are not to attempt to enter into these secret purposes, or His judgements, or to make attempts into understanding that which has not been revealed.
Deut.29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
We are not to venture into areas where God's purposes are unknown, this through witchcrafts, astrology, communication with the dead, or prayer to any other than our Father which is in heaven.
Rom.11:34, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?"
Our God has planned wisely, as He is infinitely powerful to perform. His counsel shall stand, and He will fulfill and do all His pleasure.
Isa.46:10, "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."
Thank you,
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com