I think God knows the hearts and minds of the people.
I think that is the thing that bugs me. I hear that God knows the end for the beginning, and God lives outside of time, to even God elected every single step you take. For me it was a big wake up call after studying scriptures because the thought is that no matter how goofy you are or things you do that somehow it all works for the good of God anyway. What if, God does not the heart? Scripture clearly says he does for God knows all things, and the subject was pertaining to the heart in John.
1Jn_3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1Jn_3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
God to Moses..................... I am Sure!!!
Exo 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
This is not a comment about election, or full knowing, or knowing the end from the begging. This is a comment of someone that has divine insight into the Heart of Pharaoh. This changes the ballgame for me because I no longer have the sense it all works out for the good of God anyway.
Exo 4:9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
If they shall not believe.................. IF....................
Reading this you get a picture that God is pretty much "Expecting" them not to believe or get in line. God already said he was sure it would take a pretty mighty thing to get Pharaoh to play ball.
There are not absolutes in God's statements, he is going by knowing the heart, and by that knowing he is making provisions.
If your faithful in little, more shall be given, or be faithful in another man's things. If your not faithful then God has no reason, knowing your heart to give you more.
Gen_18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not,
I will know.
This is a very good statement about how God perceives things on the throne. He tells us how he operates and what He can do and know. This is far different than mans versions of God knowing the end for the beginning or God predestining things. He hears something spiritual like the cry of sin, so he has to go down to check it out to see if what he is hearing matches the deeds.
Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him:
for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
When did God Know Abraham would follow and have faith until the end? When Abraham was willing to give up his most valued possession. God says now I know, you have not withheld your only son from me. (
Gen 22:16)
Now we get an understanding of why God gets grieved in heart for even making man, why God repents for making Saul King, Why God changes his mind about Eli's family, and how God deals with Pharaoh.
We also get more understanding into what Peter said. Peter said we heard the voice on high, saw all the Miracles, personal prophecy, but we have a more sure Word.
What is written is not conditional, what God tells us personally is conditional depending on how we respond. God declares the end from the begging even for our life, but ............... for the Word nothing can change it, for us personally nothing can change it but our lack of obedience and following the plan.
God tells you something and you say you will do it and don't do it.............................. That is a very bad thing because God only has your past obedience and faithfulness to go by. This is why we don't make a vow to the Lord and break it because doing so means we have nothing to come to him with to prove different later.
The thought I get from people is that God knows my heart and knows I will "eventually" get obedient and that is not the case according to scriptures. It's not going to be alright until God knows you will stay steady and on track. This may take longer than we like for the next promotion as God sees if we do what we say we will and stay on course before He moves things on our behalf.
A faithful person that always responds to God gets the same back from God. Whom will honor me, I will honor.............
He is able to do exceeding far above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us. Part of that power is our honor toward God, our love walk, our obedience. (
Eph 3:20)
We need to stay on course and do all God said do, and now I know that my actions and response to God is how He is going to respond back to me. Just because your called does not mean you get chosen or make it. Just living a life waiting on heaven with no obedience to God is a defeated life, and no rewards later.
Mike.