Global Methodist Church Catechism: Does God determine human actions?
Each Wednesday we will explore a question and answer summary of our faith from the Global Methodist Church called a Catechism.
Question: Does God determine human actions?
Answer: No, influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit, humans are responsible to exercise their will for good (Revelation 3:20, 2 Peter 3:9, John 1:12-13).
“The Dog ate my homework“ was an excuse I never used in school, but I did use other excuses all the time to explain why I didn’t get an assignment done. That trend did not change when I became a teacher and a coach. We always heard reasons why something wasn’t done, and why it couldn’t be done. While that was (is?) a common thing in education, unfortunately, it can be also common in the Christian life. God either gets blame for human actions, or the blame for not stopping them, or worse, an excuse is made such as “God planted the tree to allow Adam and Eve to sin, therefore God’s created order caused sin to happen in my own life.” Some have even used the modern vernacular “The devil made me do it, who created the devil?” explanation for why they sinned.
These are impressive mental gymnastics, but unfortunately they distract from the real issue at hand, human beings are responsible for their actions. To be sure, there are evil things and individuals at work in the world that can influence how a person acts (cf Ephesians 6:10). Even so, the scripture tells us the devil’s influence is a trick. The NIV uses “Scheme”, the NKJV uses wiles such as temptation, threat, other authorities use the devil’s strategies. In any case, what the devil uses can be avoided when one studies the scriptures. Alternatives include but aren’t limited to
Choice: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”-Revelation 3:20. The Bible doesn’t make this a secret for the believer, when it comes to Christ, choices matter. The question is, what kind of choice?
Repent: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”-2 Peter 3:9. Opening the door for Christ means turning from anything that distracts from Him, including things that you even own! This isn’t to say marriage, jobs, sports, or other things are bad in itself, it does mean that without Christ, they are empty. Only constant repentance and turning to Christ keeps our souls in check from sin such as arrogance, pride, and apathy. When we embrace what one mentor has called “constant evaluation” and repentance, what do we become?
Sons and daughters: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become sons and daughters of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”- 1 John 1:12-13. Repentance is not just a mind exercise, it’s a transformation. Repentance means that the more I do so, the more I am becoming everything that God wants me to be. Not just a husband, a dad, a coach, a teacher, a pastor, a good neighbor, but a Son of the Most High God. If you had a chance at a million dollars, but had to change to get it, would you do it? The Bible reminds us that many have done precisely that, and received a mighty inheritance that is not something temporary like money, but eternal in Christ (cf 1 Peter 1:4).
As you can see, mankind is responsible for their actions. The good news is, there is a way to remain accountable. Our choices, what we choose, and what we are becoming are all under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Won’t we heed His influence today? In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PICTURE: Early morning in DOWNTOWN MINEOLA