The logic of the Bible says: Act according to God's "will…
““The logic of the Bible says: Act according to God's "will of command," not according to his "will of decree." God's "will of decree" is whatever comes to pass. "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:15). God's "will of decree" ordained that his Son be betrayed (Luke 22:22), ridiculed (Isaiah 53:3), mocked (Luke 18:32), flogged (Matthew 20:19), forsaken (Matthew 26:31), pierced (John 19:37), and killed (Mark 9:31). But the Bible teaches us plainly that we should not betray, ridicule, mock, flog, forsake, pierce, or kill innocent people. That is God's "will of command." We do not look at the death of Jesus, clearly willed by God, and conclude that killing Jesus is good and that we should join the mockers.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Distinguishes between God's commanding will (moral directives) and His decretive will (historical events), urging believers to follow ethical commands, not fatalistic outcomes.
In simple terms: God's moral commands differ from events that happen.
Key Takeaway
Follow God's ethical commands, not just outcomes.
Themes
theology
ethics
free will
divine sovereignty
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- church teaching
- ethical counseling
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
theodicy
scriptural interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile divine foreknowledge with human responsibility?
- Can we claim moral innocence when following a divine decree?
A Different Perspective
Human actions cannot change divine decrees, but moral responsibility remains.