Kermos,
I have to ask myself, and then you . . . it seems clear what you think . . . but why do you hold back from saying it?
I won't mind answering any question you have for me, but I would like to settle this first.
It's a simple question. It can be a yes, it can be a no.
Do you think that God initiates sin to accomplish His purpose?
I answer no. And I don't see a single place in Scripture that teaches otherwise, and I see much in Scripture that reveals a Holy God. But can we get our cards on the table?
Much love!
Mark
Hello Mark,
I'm glad you wrote that it seems clear what I think by God's grace I think scripture. Scripture provides understanding, so thinking scripture matters!
As I previously indicated, I do not intend to answer your question with yes nor no. I addressed your question with scripture, and I wrote that the Holy, Holy, Holy God uses various means to ends for His Good Will. As far as I am concerned, Mark, I put my cards, so to speak using your colloquialism, on the table already.
I will provide even more scripture to address your question:
The record of Judas' betrayal of Jesus.
"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.
(John 6:64)
During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon, to betray Him,
(John 13:2)
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me."
22 The disciples [began] looking at one another, at a loss [to know] of which one He was speaking.
23 There was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, "Tell [us] who it is of whom He is speaking."
25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus' bosom, said to Him, "Lord, who is it?"
26 Jesus then answered, "That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him." So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, [the son] of Simon Iscariot.
27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."
28 Now no one of those reclining [at the table] knew for what purpose He had said this to him.
29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, "Buy the things we have need of for the feast"; or else, that he should give something to the poor.
30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
(John 13:21-30)
Chronology is very important here. Early on, the Apostle John indicates that Jesus knew from the beginning who it was that would betray Him (John 6:64). As the crucifixion approached, the Apostle John records that the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Him (John 13:2). Jesus said to Judas Iscariot, "What you do, do quickly." which are very strong words (John 13:27). Do not forget the account of Job whom God granted to Satan power over Job (Job 1:12, Job 2:6).
1) The Son of God knew that Judas would betray Him before Judas betrayed Him.
2) The Son of God said "What you do, do quickly" to Judas after Judas received the morsel.
3) After receiving the morsel, Judas went out immediately.
That summarizes the relevant to our discourse record of Judas' betrayal of Jesus.
And, here's an important definition:
For clarity, the English word sin which is the Greek word hamartía, should also be defined.
Sin: not a part, missing the mark.
hamartía (a feminine noun derived from 1 /A "not" and 3313 /méros, "a part, share of") ? properly, no-share ("no part of"); loss (forfeiture) because not hitting the target; sin (missing the mark) (
Strong's Greek: 266. ἁμαρτία (hamartia) -- a sin, failure).
Sin is "not a part" of God, and this makes perfect sense. For people, sin is "missing the mark" established by God, like missing the bull's eye of a target. Sin is when a person does not do as God commands whether ignorantly or not.
All this points to the fact that Holy Almighty God uses various means to an end according to His Good Will.
Now, I no longer intend to address your question any further, so I ask you again, do you believe that God's Hand did not engage Pontius Pilate?
If you will not address my question, then I suspect we are done.
Peace to you,
Kermos