Gods "Plan" for your life

[Fraught]

You are right, it is unBiblical to say that God has a wonderful plan for your life. It is a very popular teaching today that is unfortunately giving many many people the wrong ideas about salvation and the Christian life.

It is easy to spot the flaw in it when you look at this example:

What if you were to preach a sermon to those in the Twin Towers the day before they fell? Knowing of the collapse, how could you teach that God had a wonderful plan for their life? You couldn't, it would be a lie. But if because you knew what was going to happen, you then had to change your gospel message, there is a big problem.

If the gospel message is not consistent and the same whether preaching to the rich, children, prisoners, old people, or college students it is false.

To me, this seems like the right answer to the problem of starving children in Africa and other places. It doesn't make sense for one to say God has a "wonderful plan" for your life when so many people live horrible lives full of suffering. I mean, one look at the bloated bellies of those poor children is enough to convince anyone that that is not a "wonderful" plan.

I may be wrong...but it just makes perfect sense to me.

I'm with you, here i hear the ring of truth. also what helped resolve this issue for me is the fact that Jesus was pretty clear in saying that for a little while, other principalities and powers are in charge. even tho their power may be somewhat limited, they can obviously wreak some havoc.

[Fraught]

Sounds like a recipe for damnation to me. Justaguy, please rethink that one. God will know if you try to repent just to avoid hell.

Isn't that the whole idea? Repenting to avoid Gods wrath?

Doesn't the thought of punishment cause one to flee to Gods mercy?

So it must be the thought of punishment that cause's one to flee to God's mercy. I'd rather go to God because he was good at heart and a good friend to hang out with.

Put it this way if someone was having a party would you like to go because they are a nice guy and great fun to be around or would you like to go because they said they would shoot you if you did'nt.

Even tho a christian would probably not express this thought exactly like this, you've ended up hitting the nail on the head for christianity. the bible tells us that it is the goodness of God that should lead us to repentance. and there is much there also about the ultimate party for all christians even tho that's kind of an irreverent idea (in a christian's mind) for what Jesus actually calls the wedding feast which we are all getting ready for.

[RedNick261]

The doctrine of God's sovereignty does not nullify our God-given social and economical responsibilities.

That wasn't the question, though. It's not about social and economic responsibilities, it's about insurance and such things. You don't have a responsibility to insure yourself (except auto insurance in most US states and, I'm sure, elsewhere; or, in MA, health insurance). If you trust so much in God's sovereign plan and it's so specific (i.e. God exercises sovereign control over every aspect of life), what need is there for insurance? It the same thing as claiming that the rapture will happen before you die, but still purchasing a life insurance policy. It's asinine, at best.

[Fraught]

The doctrine of God's sovereignty does not nullify our God-given social and economical responsibilities.

That wasn't the question, though. It's not about social and economic responsibilities, it's about insurance and such things. You don't have a responsibility to insure yourself (except auto insurance in most US states and, I'm sure, elsewhere; or, in MA, health insurance). If you trust so much in God's sovereign plan and it's so specific (i.e. God exercises sovereign control over every aspect of life), what need is there for insurance? It the same thing as claiming that the rapture will happen before you die, but still purchasing a life insurance policy. It's asinine, at best.

until smiles gets back, let me just say that the insurance issue is a social and economic responsibility. as christians, we are no different than anyone else in the responsibility to care for our families. even tho health or life insurance is not mandatory, it can care for our families and thus not allow them to become a burden on the state. God is sovereign and he has given us the responsibility of caring for both our blood families and our spiritual brothers and sisters as well.

it is not the same thing as claiming that the rapture will happen before you die but still purchasing a life insurance policy. if a person does that, they are claiming something they don't really believe. that's at least hypocrisy if not an outright lie.

[Mutzrein]

God has a plan for those whose names are written in the book of life - from the foundation of the earth.

The others perish. What's the point in writing a plan for dead people?

[RedNick261]

God has a plan for those whose names are written in the book of life - from the foundation of the earth.

The others perish. What's the point in writing a plan for dead people?

Where does that belief come from?

[Joshua-777]

God has a plan for those whose names are written in the book of life - from the foundation of the earth.

The others perish. What's the point in writing a plan for dead people?

This actually would be extra biblical,

If you look at the prophecies of Daniel, God used wicked nations to carry out his plan, You can see how God uses the wicked for his will, as well as the righteous all through out the bible.

[Mutzrein]

God has a plan for those whose names are written in the book of life - from the foundation of the earth.

The others perish. What's the point in writing a plan for dead people?

This actually would be extra biblical,

If you look at the prophecies of Daniel, God used wicked nations to carry out his plan, You can see how God uses the wicked for his will, as well as the righteous all through out the bible.

Yes of course you are right. I am not denying that God creates vessels for dishonor (as well as honor). As we know Pharoah was God's servant. And so was Judas, however the differentiation I was endeavouring to make was between those in this dispensation who are called by God - drawn to Christ by the Father - and those who are not.

[Grungekid]

I was watching a televangelist last night who was talking about Gods plan for everyones life. He said that even before we were born, God had a wonderful plan for our lives laid out.

That got me to thinking...

Why kind of "wonderful plan" is it for those children in Africa and other places who are starving to death? Is that the "plan" God had for their lives from before they were born?

It just strikes me as odd that God would have a great plan for some lives, and a horrid one for others.

What is the deal?

Well, I think that the situation in Africa only gives more of a chance for God to glorify Himself. He shows us things that soften our hearts and motivate us to reach out to these people. Also, those kids may still get a chance to touch eachother's lives and have an impact even though they have a short life expectancy. It's very sad, I will agree with that, but perhaps it also says something about the church, and Western Civillization for that matter. In all honesty, I think it really is our fault in the first place. We tore up their countries and enslaved them, then we created multiple disputes by causing old allies to become confined to lands and borders that we set up; now we often turn the other way when we hear they are in need.