Just because something transpires
under God’s providence does not mean that He consents to it or determines that
it occurs. Does not Scripture tell us that we are all sinners? And do we not
know that God neither approves of our sin, nor does He desire for us to persist
with our errant ways?
Finally, does not the Word of God tell us that He
provides grace for our transgressions, and the greater the misdeeds, the greater
God’s grace?God reigns over human affairs and, in
His divine intervention, leaders rise and fall. But we absolutely should not
assume that all human affairs meet God’s approval.
Undeniably, insight into the
difference between God’s providence and His assent creates tension.The primary illustration of this
tension is Jesus’ crucifixion. Did not Pilate, in a rare egalitarian move, places Jesus
before the people? Was not the authority Pilate’s? Yet, did he not give the
choice to the people and did not the people shout out “crucify Him!”? Christ,
the creator, was crucified on the very sapling He brought into existence
and was put to death under the authority which He granted to Pilate.
At no point was Jesus Christ in an
indeterminate state. At no point in time did God call that event good. Was the
crucifixion a malevolent act? Yes! Was it ordained by God before the foundation
of the world? Yes! Was it perpetrated by ignoble men, who stood culpable with
blood on their hands? Yes! Did God redeem that atrocious act of malice, so that
the very blood on their hands had the power to save them? The answer is in the
affirmative. The redemptive power was in the blood which was shed for them and
mankind.
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