R.C. Sproul, the founder of Ligonier Ministries, brilliantly tackles the complex relationship between God's sovereignty and human sin. He clarifies that while God ordains every event, the guilt of sin rests solely on human choices. Sproul also distinguishes between divine testing and temptation, emphasizing God's role in providing guidance through prayer. The conversation delves into how God's grace persists amid our shortcomings and the serious implications of church discipline. Prepare for deep theological insights balanced with practical wisdom!
God's sovereignty ensures that while He governs all creation, human sinfulness is rooted solely in the moral choices of individuals.
Temptations serve as tests from God, designed to strengthen believers' faith and deepen their reliance on His grace.
Deep dives
The Nature of God's Providence
God's providence encompasses His active involvement in all aspects of creation, even extending to human sin and temptation. This theological concept clarifies that while God governs everything, the sinfulness of actions originates solely from the creatures, not from God Himself. The reasoning is rooted in the nature of God, who is wholly righteous and cannot engage in sin. Consequently, the fall of mankind was part of God's ordained plan, yet the sinful choices made by humans stem from their inherent corruption.
Temptation and Testing
While God does not tempt His children toward sin, He sometimes allows them to face various temptations as a means of testing their faith and character. In biblical examples, both Adam and Jesus were subjected to tests by God to reveal their moral strength and resilience. This process underscores that temptations arise from within individuals, as highlighted in the New Testament, where believers are reminded that they should not confuse God's tests with temptation. Ultimately, these experiences serve to deepen their reliance on God and prepare them for greater challenges ahead.
The Purpose of Suffering and Sin
The allowance of struggles with sin serves a redemptive purpose, aiming to cultivate humility and dependence on God's grace among believers. Christians may fall into significant sin, but their status as redeemed individuals means they cannot ultimately be abandoned by God. The awareness of their capacity for sin encourages vigilance and humility, as even the most devout can be misled by pride. Ultimately, God's intent in permitting such trials is to bring His children back to a deeper relationship with Him through awareness of their need for divine grace and strength.
When we sin, does God in His sovereignty bear any of the blame? Certainly not—but why not? Today, R.C. Sproul provides biblical answers to questions about humanity’s fall into sin, the origin of temptation, and the providence of God.
Get Truths We Confess, R.C. Sproul’s commentary on the Westminster Confession, for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3706/truths-we-confess Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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