Your question twists scriptural interpretation. We read in the Bible, God used different nations and their rulers, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes/Persians, Romans et al. as a discipline, at times equip, and at times a punishment against the nation of Israel when they sinned and turned their back on God. I don’t read they were happy about their exile and captivity, but it did lead to the diaspora and ultimately the fulfillment of God’s plan. In relation to Christians today, Paul writes in Romans 13:1-7 ESV Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. This command is in the context that our elected officials perform their duties in a Godly manner providing for the safety and well-being of their constituency. The Christian’s ultimate Authority is God and then to those elected and placed over us. Example if a law was passed that went against what is commanded in the Bible - Daniel was commanded to bow and pray to a false idol, also prohibited from praying to God. Daniel disobeyed and remained true to God’s word. It’s in this context Christians oppose abortion and laws that would restrict religious expression. We submit to government/it’s officials, upholding it, supporting it, praying for it’s well being, so it will provide safety, protection and promote a God honoring society. When government fails in those aspects, we voice our concerns, we vote for people we think will take our nation, communities in the proper direction. In your post you assume nothing happens by accident, inferring it’s by God’s design. God gives people free will. Sadly, that free will choses sin, all the problems of this world are a direct result of sin. I like J. Vernon McGee’s take, Everything in this world is out of place, all the Jews should be in the promised land, they’re still scattered. Christian’s should be in Heaven, they’re still on the earth. Jesus should be on His Throne, He’s still at the right hand of the Father. Satan should be in hell, he’s still on the earth. Jesus gave us a model prayer recorded in Matthew 6, it starts with the following. “Our Father in heaven, let Your Name be kept Holy. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.....” God’s Will is just that, God’s will be done here on earth just as it is in heaven. And everything is working to that end or as J Vernon McGee states it.....God’s putting everything in it’s proper place.
I appreciate your response. I understand the position of our free will being in conflict with the will of God. What I don't understand is when I hear God has a plan, this plan is preordained and God knows the outcome. If this is true, then do we really have free will? Regarding government, the founders presumption of God given rights followed by a constitution which do not give us these rights but is there to protect them from others who may violate those rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness has been twisted up like a pretzel. My issue with government is when they claim to be invoking the will of God when they are clearly in pursuit of human ambitions, often times in direct conflict with the presumption of these God given rights.
I’ve always understood it, in that God’s Will/Plan will be perfected in spite of mankind’s and satan’s actions. Understand God doesn’t like sharing His glory. Rightly so, the created shouldn’t be above the Creator. He oftentimes works in crazy, obscure ways so when His will is accomplished everyone stands in awe, understanding it was God who accomplished it and not man’s doing. Everything man tries to do on his own he messes up, government is no exception. The Jews had a Theocracy, with the LORD GOD directing them from the Tabernacle and still rebelled and messed it up. It all points to the fact that man is incapable of saving himself. Our free will also gives us the ability to accept God’s gift, where He can provide righteousness, justification, where we can’t. Everything is in God’s plan and timing. He’s allowing the free will of mankind and satan to exhaust their attempts of self-worship and their actions will ultimately fulfill God’s design.
Captain, You are your namesake ! Faith is distinct from fervent religious belief as logic must be suspended with the latter.
%% Actually thanks for your post; but 100% wrong/they have to finish counting ,votes/certify + then send electors. Liars in the media dont decide/never have/never will. Faith is the title deed,Hebrews 11;1; captain O, you may not have ever bought real estate/but for those that have a title deed is provable. Good try/try again...………………………………………………………………..