Is God in Control? Then What About Sin?

Something that we as Christians have a hard time understanding is: "How can God be in control of everything, while at the same time humans be responsible for their own actions?" The mentality usually goes, "Well, if God is in control, then we have no control, and therefore our actions don't matter." How many times have you heard a Christian say, "Well, if it's God's will, then it will happen"? What is that supposed to mean? According to that view, if I sin, it's God's will.

The opposite view is that man has control, and God has less control. The problem with this view is that God is not in complete control. If God is not in control, then he is not God.

Well, which one is it?

How can God be in complete control and yet mankind still be responsible for its actions? Let's use an example. There is a father (God), there is a two-year-old child (you), and a dog (other people) in a kitchen (the world). Let's say the parent's goal is to feed lunch to the child and the dog. The father is in control of the entire kitchen: he bought the food, he placed the child in the booster chair, and he brought the dog in from outside. The child has no control, and the dog has no control – the father has set everything up and has complete control.

Now the father knows the child so well that he knows that the child will eat and play with his food and therefore get some on the ground that the dog will eat. When this happens, the father's goal of feeding the child and the dog will be completed.

As the father gives the child the food he says, "Now child, I want you to eat the food and not play with it." The child now bears responsibility for his actions. Even though the father knows full well that the child will play with it, he is not holding the child's hand and causing the kid to toss food on the ground. The child is the one who has to make the decision to play with the food. (It's just like when lawmakers make the speed limit 55, and know beforehand that people will break it. When you get pulled over for speeding, you don't blame the lawmakers for your actions even though they knew beforehand that people would break the law.) The child is responsible for his actions even though the father knew beforehand that the child would disobey.

In this example, we've seen that:
1. God is in complete control.
2. God has foreknowledge of what will happen.
3. We are still responsible for our actions.
4. God can even use our sinful actions for his purposes.

The conclusion made in point #4 is: "God can even use our sinful actions for his purposes." This is why we can say in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." If God couldn't use our sinful actions, then this verse could only read, "Only good things work for the good of those who love him."

So now one might bring up the question: "Well if God will accomplish his goal anyway whether I obey or not, what use is there in being good?" This is a shallow question because it only considers one consequence. What about the consequences of sin? If I sin by killing someone, I cause much suffering; if I sin by doing drugs, I die ten years too soon; if I commit adultery, my wife never trusts me again. Of course it matters if we sin. Either way, God is going to fulfill his mission. Would you rather be happy while the mission is being accomplished, or cause unneeded shame and suffering for yourself?

Knowing how God works gives us a better knowledge of:
1. God's sovereignty. He controls everything in the universe.
2. God's omniscience. He is all knowing – he knows the future and how to use good and evil for his purposes.
3. God's grace. God includes us in his work not because he has to, but because he wants to. It is a privilege to be involved in his work.

So as you go about your week, keep in mind that God is in control – this should give you peace. God can even use the evil around us for good. Also remember that he would rather us be participants in his work and not be the evil he has to use for good.

God is in control.