Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's stunning response to ‘God put you in a wheelchair’
But then someone tweeted back to the governor: "God put you in a wheelchair Greg."
Not one to shy away from his Christian faith -- or an argument -- Abbott explained: “God didn’t cause the accident that left me paralyzed, but He did help me persevere over that enormous challenge.”
He added: “I’m a testament that the glory of God is revealed by a young man’s back being broken in half and still rising up to be Governor of Texas. With God all is possible.”
I sue for peace here, Brothers. Meanwhile, let me add my "amen" to Watcher's and Mike's substantive comments, although I'm not as learned as Watcher yo have gotten beyond seeing thru the glass darkly myself.
The concept of Soveriengty vs human responsibility is a difficult one. Anything good that comes thru me is from the Lord, and He is to have the glory for it. Meanwhile, there is this verse --
heaven. 33 False Christs. 36 After what manner Christ’s coming Then said he to his disciples, It cannot be avoided, but that offences will come, but woe be to him by whom they come. - Luke 17:1
Watcher wrote: I understand far more than most of you (humbly speaking), as the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to. You can't understand this because you haven't been allowed to as of yet.
Since your understanding far surpasses ours would you mind supplying an answer to just this one question.
What was it that God set before them here in this verse found in Deuteronomy?
Deut. 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
You can have your god who is almost sovereign yet allows mankind to have his own way (goes against scripture) and I will serve my God who is supreme and sovereign over all things, including evil, the devil and hell.
Prov 16. 1: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
v4: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
v9: A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
v33: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Prov. 21.1: The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
You believe that God gives you the freedom or ability to make your own decisions, but can't you see? You have a so called free will, only as God allows. You have no power to do anything, let alone sin. You are under the power and authority of a holy and sovereign God and He allows as He decides.
I am not confusing anything. I understand far more than most of you (humbly speaking), as the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to. You can't understand this because you haven't been allowed to as of yet. Pray that God allows you to see this truth. Signing off.
Watcher wrote: I won't be commenting further lest this discussion degrades into a fight of egos. God is sovereign or He's not. If He's not in control of EVERYTHING, then He's not sovereign.
Control and sovereign is not the same, but apparently you see it as such.
I know some who try to blame God for all the evil in the world and for some reason leave the one executing the evil acts we see daily as some sort of victim or totally removed from the equation all together. Funny thing though, When I try to reason with them from the Scriptures, its not past two minutes that they raise their voice, slam their fist, and run away with their jaded opinion and have no interest in an open bible.
So I'll leave you with this to think on.
If God created "all" encompassing evil, why are the ones spoken of in these two verses said to have invented the evil things they worshiped?
Psalm 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
Rom. 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Watcher wrote: I knew commenting would bring out those who believe that God bestows butterfiles and rainbows but never allows it to rain in people's lives. Proverbs 16 and 21 and Romans 9 are my evidence. I won't be commenting further lest this discussion degrades into a fight of egos. God is sovereign or He's not. If He's not in control of EVERYTHING, then He's not sovereign.
Here's your choice. Either God is the author of sin (because He determines everything) or He isn't. If He isn't (and He isn't) then God Sovereignity doesn't mean He predetermines all things. You cannot have the best of both worlds. If that is not what you are saying my apologies.
I knew commenting would bring out those who believe that God bestows butterfiles and rainbows but never allows it to rain in people's lives. Proverbs 16 and 21 and Romans 9 are my evidence.
I won't be commenting further lest this discussion degrades into a fight of egos. God is sovereign or He's not. If He's not in control of EVERYTHING, then He's not sovereign.
Appreciated reading this excellent discussion, Brothers. If I may add my own take -- the Lord is not the author of sin. He did not include death in His creation pre-Fall. But in His soveriengty, He wove those factors into the tapestry of His will so they can only meet His ends, not anyone else's. This is hard, esp when you're the guy in wheelchair or your child is sick/disabled/deformed/dead. As the governor pointed out, trusting the Lord is the proper response to such adversity. He takes us through the valley of the shadow of death, but He is with us and provides the comfort of His rod and staff.
I appreciate your thoughts on a difficult discussion topic. I'll offer a few more.
I firmly believe God is, was, and will continue to be sovereign forevermore.
I also see in Isaiah 45:7 The LORD creating evil. I do not see a reason why that evil is not one in the same spoken of here in Deut.
Deut. 30:15 “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil”.
It's regarding covenant terms and their consequences.
Then there is also a mention of evil found in Rom. 1:30 which God did not invent.
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
I think Paul gave a method of Reconciling the biblical definitions such as the term 'evil' by means of Scripture interpreting Scripture found in 1 Cor. 2:13. And a demonstrated in 1 Cor 9:9 in his answer to them that were examining him.
Watcher wrote: --- Yes, God put this man in his wheelchair, and yes, God is in control was over the evil of this world. Those who fight against this either don't understand the sovereignty of God or choose to ignore it.
Sovereignty ill-defined is sovereignty misunderstood. Evil undefined is evil misunderstood. Allowing affliction or calamity is not necessarily creating it. Did God put the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil in Adam's mouth? God's omniscient knowledge that Adam would do so is in keeping with said omniscience, but is not causation.
2Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Quote::- "Affliction is one of God’s medicines. By it He often teaches lessons which would be learned in no other way. By it He often draws souls away from sin and the world, which would otherwise have perished everlastingly. Health is a great blessing, but sanctified disease is a greater. Prosperity and worldly comfort, are what all naturally desire; but losses and crosses are far better for us, if they lead us to Christ. Thousands at the last day, will testify with David, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” (Psalm. 119:71.) ~ J.C. Ryle
Isa. 45.7: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
If God is sovereign then He's sovereign, if He's mostly sovereign, except in the bad times then He's not sovereign.
By definition, He has to be totally sovereign or not at all.
Yes, God put this man in his wheelchair, and yes, God is in control over the evil of this world. Those who fight against this either don't understand the sovereignty of God or choose to ignore it.
The Honorable Gov. and his critic don't know the Bible. One of many examples: "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" - Job 2:10
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