“Diaspora”

August 10, 2020 (Monday)

 

Let’s talk theology. Put on our “big boy pants” (as my Canadian friends like to say) and our “thinking caps.” So maturity plus thoughtful consideration, might lead us to a plausible idea.

 

“God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan.” [Ephesians 1:4 – 5 CEB]

 

Did God ordain (predestine, cause) humanity to fall or did He allow humanity to fall? Ephesians 1:4 states, “God chose us… BEFORE the creation of the world.” Ephesians 1:5 states, “God destined us… according to his goodwill and plan.”

 

What was the plan BEFORE creation? I do not think God predestined Adam and Eve to sin. Consider, 1 Peter 1:2, “God the Father chose you because of what he knew beforehand. He chose you through the Holy Spirit’s work of making you holy and because of the faithful obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May God’s grace and peace be multiplied to you.” [CEB] The theological word, found in the KJV, is “elect.” Elect means “chosen.”

 

The word elect, is borrowed from the previous verse. Peter directs his letter “To God’s chosen strangers in the world of the diaspora…” [1 Peter 1:1b CEB] Literally, “To God’s elect, sojourners of the diaspora.” Sojourners are wanders, strangers in a country that is not theirs. “Diaspora” is the Greek word in the text, it is a term for displaced people, unable to live in their home country.

 

God’s plan to choose us “in Christ to be holy and blameless… before the creation of the world” (Ephesians) is based on “what He knew beforehand” (1 Peter). God did not cause or encourage Adam and Eve to sin. God simply offered the choice to love (and obey) or disobey and not love Him.

 

If Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, including the ability to self-determine attitudes and actions, then God made them fully capable of loving or disobeying. The proof they could disobey in a tangible way was demonstrated by the fruit of the only tree they were not allowed to eat.

 

We were not designed to break it. We were not designed to live in a godless and lawless existence. We were not destined to be diseased, dying, and decaying. We, by our self-determined choice through Adam and Eve broke the design. God did not cause, ordain, or destine sin in any way, shape, or form.

 

Unfortunately we are bruised, battered, and broken slaves to sin. The only escape is through Jesus. Any other hope is in vain. Any attempt to save ourselves fails. Missing eternal life by any distance, no matter how close, is still missing eternal life. The only possibility of loving and obeying God comes when we are released from the shackles of sin by God’s grace through faith.

 

Did God allow the fall? Yes and no. He knew about the attitudes and actions Adam and Eve would choose. Yet, He allowed Adam and Eve to operate within the design of their creation… able to disobey.  To keep them from sinning would have violated His design. In that sense God did not “allow” sin.

 

Sin is completely on us. Our fault. Our responsibility. Our guilt. The good news is God does not allow us to exist in a hapless, hopeless, hollow vacuum. God’s choice is for those who love (obey) and follow Jesus to “be holy.” Because God loves us, Jesus Christ provided the means for us to be “His adopted children.”

 

Can I get an “AMEN?”