Free will vs Gods control
I was asked these questions and I have them with my answers.
"How much control has God over us ? Are we basically on a train set (going on a loop as we can't decide anything on our own) or are we basically thrown into this world (by God) and making every decisions ourselves.(image would be god put us in a box and just leave us in there)"
The age old question of free will vs predetermination. Yes we have free will. We have control over what we do or don't do. However God has seen what we do already. He knows what you are going to do.A example would be a movie that we have seen hundreds of times and we know what it going to happen. But the actors in it at the time it was being made had the choice to do what they wanted. So no you are not a puppet on a string.
Romans 8
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified
"Fair enough but how does he affect our daily lives and like if something bad or good happens is that is doing or just the repercussion of our own choices?"
God does not run around and put out the fires of human sin. There has been times when God did interfere with humans. But it is not the norm. We still live in this world. So bad things are going to happen. Yes God can prevent them from happening. But we also need problems in our life to grow. Christ said in this world you will have trouble but fear not I am with you. So while there are no promises that you won't have bad things happen there is a promise to help us through it and be there with us.
John 16:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace andconfidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress andfrustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
I am old and I can tell you that even the most horrible things can still be used for good. If nothing else then to tell someone else who is going through it how you made it through the same thing.
Romans 8
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
God does allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions. It is the same thing parents some times do with our own children to teach them that what they did was not a good idea. But I can tell you this God only allows so much of the possible consequences to affect us. By all rights I should have had kinds of things happen to me because of the stuff I did when younger.
Hebrews 12
God Disciplines His Sons 4You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;5and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
