Predetermined

(Acts 17:26 NLT) From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries.

Paul taught those who did not know of Jesus, Paul taught them of the things Jesus did, where He came from, and what His purpose was but Paul also taught just how fragile we are and how we do not belong to ourselves anymore. Now that Jesus completed His work here on earth the time of accountability has come. Paul was not the enemy so many saw him as but rather a watchman telling others of the choice that has come before them because they could not see for themselves. In that he served God by serving people, even to the point of being stoned. However, God knows each one intimately and He knows how much we can handle. Some will break on the Rock of Jesus Christ like waves breaking on a rocky shore, while others will drift aimlessly, yet others will build their house upon this Rock and their foundation will be sure. What happens to us if we come face to face with ultimate Truth yet choose the lie we have told ourselves? Will our soul not perish? What hope can we hope upon if we deny the Living God! As hard as it is for us to hear God has decided beforehand when and who shall rise and fall and He knows what will make us stronger or cause us to turn from Him. Some will not accept this but it is only because they cannot come to terms with the ideal that we are as babes trying to understand the mathematical theories of Albert Einstein. Who is man that he should think the ways of God are within our reach to understand and if that be the case how do we justify arguing with God about what is right? Even after the Jews leaders killed Jesus, even after He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, even after Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit and began healing others as their teacher did these same leaders still wanted to kill those who opposed them. Yes it would have been difficult to accept that they wrongfully killed God’s Son but by not doing this they condemned themselves throughout all eternity and there are those today that do the same.