If There Is No Special Providence

By John Waddey

There have always been some believers whose thought processes were so tuned to rationalism, who have been taught that there is a natural explanation for all that happens, that they cannot subscribed to Divine providence. The essence of providence is that our omnipotent and omniscient God does govern the lives of men and the actions of nations and intervenes that his will might be accomplished (Matt. 6:10). Perhaps they cannot distinguish between providence and miracles which most concede are not available to us. Such a position carries serious consequences.

If there is no special providence, then there is no purpose in prayer. If God cannot or no longer chooses to be involved in our world, then all prayer is in vain. But the Bible repeatedly teaches us to pray and expect a heavenly response (I Thess. 5:17; John 14:13). So whether we understand just how providence works or not, we really have a choice. It is either prayer with providence to provide answers or it is no providence and therefore no answers to our prayers. The choice should not be difficult for the Bible-believing Christian.

Belief in providence allows us to believe in and expect leadership, guidance, provisions, protection and deliverance from dangers. If you are convinced that providence is not a reality, then neither can you expect these wonderful blessings from God. If this be true, when hard times come you are on your own.

It there is no providence, then much of Scripture must be rejected as unreliable since it speaks of God's provisions and protection. "My God shall supply every need of yours" (Phil. 4:19) cannot be true if there is no divine providence. "The prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up" (James 5:15), offers no true comfort if there is no providence. If there is no special providence, then every verse that speaks of and promises God's provisions is either misunderstood or false. Jesus' promise to be with his disciples always, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:20) hinges on providence for its fulfillment. The promise of divine guidance hinges on providence (Rom. 8:14). The promise that we will reap what we sow depends on providence for realization (Gal. 6:7). Jesus did not hesitate to declare "thy word is truth" (John 17:17). We should put our full faith, trust and confidence in the integrity of every line of the Sacred Record, including its doctrine of divine providence.

If there is no providence, then the deists are right when they deny that God takes interest in and intervenes in the affairs of this life. Their concept of a remote and disinterested God must be true.

If there is no providence then the heathen are right when they attribute the blessings or burdens of life to Fate, Fortune, Luck or Destiny. That some folks sometime experience remarkable, unexpected blessing and some sometime receive unexpected losses, penalties, and punishments cannot be denied. The question is to whom should we attribute these things. Those who know the Bible well credit them to the ruling hand of Jehovah. Those who know not Jehovah tend to attribute them to some mysterious force in the universe which they call, Fate, Fortune, Luck or Destiny. Some believe in God but refuse to credit him when they experience or see such remarkable things happening.

With faith resting solidly on the teaching of Scripture we believe and affirm that all who seek first his kingdom and his righteousness shall receive from God what they need in terms of food and shelter (Matt. 6:31-33). This is Divine providence. &

God’s Perfect Holiness

By Shane Williams

There are some things that God cannot do. He can't do anything that conflicts with His holy character. God cannot tell a lie.

Who God is, determines what God does. God is holy; therefore, all His attributes share in that perfection.

God's righteousness is perfect. We can be assured that we can fully yield to His Will because He'll always do what is right.

Abraham asked: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" (Gen. 18:25).

God's justice is perfect. God will be unquestionably fair.

Christians will be rewarded for what they have done: "for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for the deeds done in the body, according o what he hath done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10).

The wicked will be punished according to their works: (Matt. 25:46).

God's truthfulness is perfect. We can take Him at His Word.

Balaam said to Balak: "God is not a man, that He should lie; nor a son of man that He should repent: Has He said and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?" (Num. 23:19). God speaks the truth. We can count on that!

God's faithfulness is perfect. He will never let us down.

"The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22, 23).

What does all this mean? We can have absolute confidence in our righteous, just, truthful, and faithful God -- because He is holy! God's holiness must also impact the way we live: "but like the Holy One Who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'you shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Pet. 1:15, 16). ----- The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 14, No. 2, August 2012. &

A Word Study

From www.word-detective.com

Dear Word Detective: A few of my friends and I were wondering what the origin of the word "lascivious" is. I have always heard of it in conjunction with "lewd," as in "He was arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior." Could you please tell me what the word means and what its origin is? -- Claudia. 

The Word Detective’s Response

Although the basic definition of "lascivious" is "inclined to lust, engaging in lewd or wanton behavior," lascivious is not, at heart, a nasty, sleazy, tawdry or lewd word. The root of "lascivious" is the Latin "lascivus," which meant "playful" or "sportive." Perhaps befitting its origin, "lascivious" is a good-natured word, fun to pronounce (lah-SIV-ee-ous) and almost impossible to say with a straight face, unless you happen to be wearing a powdered wig and waving a gavel. Still, it must be said that even from the git-go, "lascivious" was used to mean "inclined to or inciting lust."

That's not the case for "lewd," however, which is a good example of how a word can dramatically change its meaning over the centuries. Back in the 12th century, "lewd" (from the Old English "laewede") meant simply "not a member of the clergy." As the clergy at that time encompassed most of the literate members of society, "lewd" soon became a synonym for "illiterate or uneducated." And since the lower, uneducated sectors of society were considered ill-mannered and unrefined, "lewd" eventually came to mean "vulgar" and, by extension, "sinful, vile and evil." By the 14th century, "lewd" had attained its modern meaning of "sexually suggestive, salacious or obscene." Today "lewd" is, as you say, often paired with "lascivious," most likely because they make a nicely alliterative couple. Especially if you happen to be waving a gavel.

Editor’s Note: While the word detective is somewhat irreverent in his presentation, he usually goes to great lengths to get the low down on words and phrases about which he is asked by readers of his column. And he reports his observations with a degree of playfulness. However, his remarks on lasciviousness, above, are in keeping with what the Bible teaches. Commenting on the “works of the flesh,” in Gal. 5:19-21, Mike Willis writes the following on the word translated, lasciviousness (KJV), lewdness (NKJV), debauchery (NIV) and sensuality (ESV). “This word is defined as ‘licentiousness, debauchery, sensuality,’ ‘unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence….wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females’ (Thayer 79-80). The thrust of the word is the unrestrained, although not necessarily public, nature of the misconduct. Such modern vices as telling filthy jokes, dancing, pornography (magazines, books, and movies), and such like things are condemned by the meaning of this word.” (Truth Commentary on Galatians, page 258).

Thus, lasciviousness is a mindset that manifests itself in behavior that is unbefitting a Christian. &