Of Providence, Sections 2-4 Session 18: WCF Chapter V Of Providence, Sections 2-4

“Karma” The intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual. Good intent and good deeds yield future happiness; bad intent and bad deeds yield future suffering. Supposed to provide a path to godhood, but slow, and therefore requires many lives (reincarnation). Commonly referenced by many evangelicals Job 4:8 – “As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

“Karma” Karma uses human standards to judge good and bad. However, our sin nature prevents us from understanding gauging God’s judging righteously. We “see in a mirror dimly” (1 Cor. 13:12) and therefore cannot reliably discern good from evil or blessings from curses. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Only the non-elect receive what they truly deserve. Fundamentally, God created us to magnify His glory. Life is not about us and some “path” we are supposed to be taking ourselves.

CHAPTER V - Of Providence 1. God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.

Acts 2:23 Genesis 8:22 Jeremiah 31:35 Exodus 21:13 Deuteronomy 19:5 1 Kings 22:28,34 Isaiah 10:6,7

CHAPTER V - Of Providence 2. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.

“Eternity” God’s Eternal Decree(s) a/k/a The First Cause Space and Time God’s Providence Free Will Cause and Effect – Things “fall out” a/k/a Second Causes

Isaiah 55:10,11

CHAPTER V - Of Providence 3. God, in His ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at His pleasure.

Examples Hosea 2:21,22 Hosea 1:7 Matthew 4:4 Job 34:10 Romans 4:19-21 2 Kings 6:6 Daniel 3:27

Job 34:10 Romans 11:32-34 1 Kings 22:22,23 1 Chronicles 10:4,13,14 Acts 2:23 Acts 4:27,28

Acts 14:16 Psalm 76:10 2 Kings 19:28 Genesis 50:20 Isaiah 10:6,7,12 James 1:13,14,17 1 John 2:16

CHAPTER V - Of Providence 4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in His providence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to His own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.

Not a Maze

But a Labyrinth

“If God controls everything, I am not responsible for what I do!” This statement assumes that when God controls human action, He forces us to do His will whether we want to or not. Scripture clearly belies this assumption – God is so infinite, eternal and immutable that He is able to allow us to do as we please (within the bounds of our opportunity and ability), yet render certain we will do what He has predetermined that we will do.

“If God controls everything, things will turn out the same no matter what I do!” This statement is a logical fallacy. If God controls what you do, you have no latitude to choose what you do.

“If God controls everything, He must be the author of sin!” God is the creator of all that exists. God has decreed all that will happen. However, God is not the “author” (performer) of all that will happen, because God is expressly not the author of sin.

“If God controls everything, how do we account for: (a) the prosperity of the wicked, and (b) the sins of the righteous (the elect)?” (a): common grace “anesthesia” (b) see next slide

The Reprobate Mind The Regenerate Mind The outer remnants of man’s paradise nature The outer remnants of man’s fallen sinful nature The new center of man’s nature in Christ The new center of man’s fallen sinful nature The Reprobate Mind The Regenerate Mind Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes, p. 67

Personal Personal Focus Focus

Why do professing Christians often sin so grievously? Have you ever used your assurance of salvation as a shield for aggravated sin?