Can Your Decision Ruin God's Plan?
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
Should I join this company, go for this operation, or ask this girl out? Life is full of decisions. How do we know our decision is right?
First, are outcomes in life predetermined by God, or are they determined by us, by our actions?
The Bible teaches that God decides the outcome. Prov 16:33, 16:1, 16:9.
After decades of suffering, Joseph was put in charge of Egypt. Then he said many plotted evil against him, but God turned them into good, to save many lives during the time of famine. Gen 50:20. Even the wicked is planned by God for a day of disaster! Prov 16:4.
If outcomes are predetermined by God, why should we plan?
The Bible also teaches us to plan and work diligently, and haste makes waste. Prov 16:3, 21:5.
Accept that outcomes in life are determined by us and but are also predetermined by God. So, make our plans and act accordingly. But trust that God is in control.
This is good. If we totally control our future, we could be paralyzed because we know we make bad decisions.
Since planning is important, how to get God’s guidance?
Typically, God does not tell us specifically or directly what to do. But God teaches us who we are and the person we should be, such as being upright and being fair. Prov 11:3, 12:5. Then our character would guide us.
So, focus on learning from God and asking Him to build us up.
Be bold and plan. Seek advice from others. Prov 12:15, 15:22. Then execute accordingly and commit what we do to Him. Prov 16:3.
Note that the right decisions may not give us peace. Christ did not seem to have peace when He prayed to the Father before crucifixion. Also, outcomes in the short term can be full of failure.
In conclusion, boldly plan, execute, and entrust everything to our heavenly Father. He is the loving God who controls the future. Though we have little faith and we do not listen to Him, because of His immense love for us, He would link our choices to the destiny He presets.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon.
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/your-plans-god-s-plans-5390/
First, are outcomes in life predetermined by God, or are they determined by us, by our actions?
The Bible teaches that God decides the outcome. Prov 16:33, 16:1, 16:9.
After decades of suffering, Joseph was put in charge of Egypt. Then he said many plotted evil against him, but God turned them into good, to save many lives during the time of famine. Gen 50:20. Even the wicked is planned by God for a day of disaster! Prov 16:4.
If outcomes are predetermined by God, why should we plan?
The Bible also teaches us to plan and work diligently, and haste makes waste. Prov 16:3, 21:5.
Accept that outcomes in life are determined by us and but are also predetermined by God. So, make our plans and act accordingly. But trust that God is in control.
This is good. If we totally control our future, we could be paralyzed because we know we make bad decisions.
Since planning is important, how to get God’s guidance?
Typically, God does not tell us specifically or directly what to do. But God teaches us who we are and the person we should be, such as being upright and being fair. Prov 11:3, 12:5. Then our character would guide us.
So, focus on learning from God and asking Him to build us up.
Be bold and plan. Seek advice from others. Prov 12:15, 15:22. Then execute accordingly and commit what we do to Him. Prov 16:3.
Note that the right decisions may not give us peace. Christ did not seem to have peace when He prayed to the Father before crucifixion. Also, outcomes in the short term can be full of failure.
In conclusion, boldly plan, execute, and entrust everything to our heavenly Father. He is the loving God who controls the future. Though we have little faith and we do not listen to Him, because of His immense love for us, He would link our choices to the destiny He presets.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon.
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/your-plans-god-s-plans-5390/