MM - how do you tell people that it is God's will that they are raped, abused, their loved ones murdered? Do you tell them that God actually causes sickness, disease, and death? I can look victims in the eye and tell them that God did not do this and it was never God's will. How do you tell them it was God's will? You should re-read this POSTING

What draws people to repentance (changing of mind)? The fear that if they don't change, God will torture and kill you if you don't love Him? What is it that draws people to repentance? What is the Bible answer?

I tell them Jesus is in control. His hands are not tied. He permits things to play out in ways that make sense to Him. Sin forces Him to choose the one and only best way out of millions of possibilities. It saddens Him. When we get to heaven He will explain His reasons. We will agree wholeheartedly. By faith we take comfort in knowing He is in control.

PS - As you know, I responded to the post you linked above. Again, thank you for sharing what you believe.

I think you are mixing "free will" with "rights". They can say they have a "right" to not be murdered and tortured. But it has nothing to do with free will. In fact, with ISIS, it adequately demonstrates what "free will" is not. They say convert to Islam or we kill you. And that, is not free will.

Oh I know you responded to the post I linked to above. Green even thought it was a good post! But, let's look at how your responded.

You stated, without any Bible support as I provided in my post, that you "choose to believe" and you give an examples. When a rapist wills to rape, you "believe" Jesus is free to send help to prevent it. So how do you explain all the rapes that occur? The one being rape desired it? You can "choose to believe" what ever you want. What I want to know is what is Truth. Can you support your view and provide scripture to support it as I posted HERE?

APL, although I appreciate you sharing what you believe, I do not believe the texts you posted support your conclusions, namely, Jesus is not free to intervene on behalf of innocent victims.

By this, you put the blame clearly on God for the origin and continuation of sin, for He is in control of every outcome. Rape, child abuse and murder happen because He wants them to happen. Incredible...

It's a controversy. God is enabled to intervene through intercessory prayer. If someone is praying for God's protection for the individual involved, even if that individual may not himself or herself even desire God or His help, God can intervene. Such, I believe, was the case with Saul on his way to Damascus. Someone was following Jesus' doctrine in praying for his or her enemies, and God was thereby permitted to intervene.

God is limited somewhat in this controversy--He must play fair. Ellen White writes of Jesus, for example, "If Christ had a special power which it is not the privilege of a man to have, Satan would have made capital of this matter. But the work of Christ was to take from Satan his control of man, and he could do this only in a straightforward way."

If we are honest in seeking to serve God, obedient to His commands, and leaning on His strength through prayer--Satan cannot touch us, and our prayers are efficacious "to the tearing down of strongholds." "The prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

God is not limited in power where He is permitted to work. It is up to us to give Him permission.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

So Green - every woman who is raped had not asked God to stop it??? Is that the problem?

APL,

Over half of people who suffer headaches are dehydrated. Does that mean all headaches are caused by insufficient water intake?

You must have wisdom to understand these things. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. If you are protected by God through the prayer of faith, God will not allow anything to happen to you which will not be either for your best good or His glory. I believe Romans 8:28, do you?

Jesus was the most faith-filled Person ever. He was murdered. I'm sure His mother was praying for Him. How did it happen? For God's glory and our best good. Praise the Lord!

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you."

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I know Romans 8:20. Do you know Isaiah 5:20? To say that a rape is good is an evil thing. Yet you and MM think that it is God's will that they happen. Let's give thanks for rape!!!

Sick...