OK so now it seems I’ve fallen into the habit of using controversial headlines to grab your attention.  Sorry but I’m a product of the media.

For the record, I don’t believe He is schizophrenic – not at the slightest.  But in my journey of faith so far, there have been many times I have come across passages of scripture that don’t conflict, but rather make me question my understanding of God in a huge way.

For example, and this will be addressed later on as well, why would God spare King David after he was found to be an adulterer and murderer and declare that this guy was a “man after His own heart” and then kill on the spot Ananias and Sapphira for withholding a small amount of money after selling their property?  (See Acts 5:1-11)

The Bible is full of these kinds of scenarios and a hardened heart would probably conclude that God is indeed a bit of a schizo.  But I’m not dumb, arrogant and full of myself to come to that conclusion cause I know my God is good and all I have is but a tiny understanding of Him.

Matt Chandler

So the other day, my mate and Pastor Mark Jurisic, handed me over a sermon by Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church in Texas.  He said that it would blow my mind.  And being my mate and knowing what gets me thinking, and listening to a tonne of Matt’s sermons before, I knew he was onto a good thing.  The sermon was called “Does God Have Two Wills” and Matt builds his case like this:

We all know that God desires people to be saved right?  Scriptures like the following clearly state this fact:

• This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires ALL PEOPLE to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth | 1 Tim 2:3-4

• The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, NOT WISHING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that ALL should reach repentance | 2 Pet 3:9

• Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? | Eze18:23

From these versus, we see the will of God clearly right?  I mean, the big guy upstairs seems to be in our corner right?  Our ultimate cheer leader – ready willing and able to wipe our slate clean at the slightest hint of a repentant heart.  Then how do you reconcile this mindset with a passage such as this:

“..like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, HE WAS REJECTED, for he found NO CHANCE TO REPENT, though he SOUGHT IT WITH TEARS” | Heb 12:16b-17

If it’s God’s will for all to be saved, then why on earth does He refuse people when they seek repentance or, even worse still, kill them on the spot before they have a chance to repent?

To get the answer, you need to listen to Chandler as he questions these and many more examples.  A word of warning though, this stuff is deep and you will walk away broken – especially if you subscribe to the bling, bling version of “christianity” where God is your means to an end to get what you want in life.  Hope you enjoy.

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