So, is everything according to God's will, or not??

Question

When my best friend died in January, people told me it was part of God's plan, or that it was God's will.

When I ask what the point of prayer is, people tell me its not to ask for things, because God's will is always what will happen anyway, but rather, to establish a relationship with him.

But when I ask why God sends people to Hell, suddenly God's will isn't always what's done anymore, because of this magical thing you call free will.

What gives??

Answer 1

It's religion. It's not supposed to make sense.

Answer 2

I am so sorry for your loss, and that you were "comforted" with those unhelpful words in your grief.

I think what people are thinking of is Romans 8:28, which says:"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

This does not mean that everything that happens here on earth is God's will, but that God is so powerful and wise that He is able to work even those things that aren't His will into His ultimate plan, working things together for good in the long run for His children.

It doesn't mean that we never experience pain and loss (obviously!), but it is a promise to those who believe that God will redeem some good out of all the sufferings of each believer.

As for your point about prayer, if that's what people told you, they seem rather fatalistic in their view, kind of "whatever will be, will be." That is NOT my understanding of prayer at all. It is true that the primary purpose of prayer is relationship with God, but it's also to ask Him for things.

Philippians 4:6 says:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Just because we make requests of God doesn't mean He will answer yes to everything we ask, just as any parent doesn't give his or her child everything they ask for. God is not a vending machine, but He is a wonderful person to be in relationship with. And He does answer yes to some prayers.

This world is in a fallen state due to humanity's rebellion against God. That is why there is so much disease, tragedy, and suffering. In heaven all that will be over with.

Revelation 21:4--
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Answer 3

religious human beings have confidence in some loopy issues usually. If there's a God... i think he desires to take bigger care of staggering persons. that doesn't ensue, so i don't think. Murderers destroy out with killing persons. A 40 year historical lady drives a 13 year previous to suicide be bullying her on the internet. toddlers and childrens are beat and molested and the criminal gets to stroll the streets. What form of god might enable that to ensue?

Answer 4

Not everything is God's will, but everything is a part of His plan. It is not His will that people sin, but He knows that they will anyway. I'm sorry about your friend, when my lil cousin died it was really hard for me to accept this too, especially when everyone else was saying this was a punishment... People have a right to make decisions for themselves. One of the main ones is whether or not to accept Jesus as the Savior. prayer does establish a relationship with God, but you SHOULD ask for things! one of the epistles says something like 'tell God what you wish for' or something like that, i cant remember at the moment. God wants you to ask for one simple reason--so that He can give you, and you can glorify Him. i really hope that helps you at least a little bit.

Answer 5

God brought your best friend into the world for a purpose. when he/she died, God decided it was his/her time to come to heaven and be with Him eternally.

Prayer is our way of talking with God. He always answers prayers. it may not always be what you want, but it's His answer. because you can pray to God, you can "cast all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

God doesn't want to send people to hell. God loves all people and wants to bring them all to heaven to be with Him. as it's written in 1 Timothy 2: 3,4: "God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

it is true that people have free will (by the way, free will isn't magic). people have the opportunity to choose whether to love God and follow Him or hate and despise Him. when people who hated God and didn't know His saving Word die, they are judged by God and sent to eternal punishment and torment in hell. if they had repented of their wicked ways and followed God, they would have been saved and brought to heaven. heaven is a place where everything is perfect. there's no sin, diseases, or crying.

look at it this way: when you die, you'll see your best friend there, too!!! :)

Answer 6

To think for a moment that evil is God's will is to not understand Truth at all. God's will never harms His ideas. There is a lot of misconception as to what God's true nature is, even though we have a perfect teacher to learn from.

Answer 7

God created this world and gave us free will. We get to choose the way we live. What happens because of the choices we make is our fault not Gods. It's not Gods will for bad things to happen to people. God doesn't want children to get cancer and suffer or die. God doesn't want people to die in wars. God doesn't want women to be raped or kids to be molested. He don't want us to suffer in any way. God is a God of Love and mercy. I don't believe that everything that happens is Gods plan. It's human error. People need to stop blaming God for everything that goes wrong in their lives. God sure don't get the credit when it's all good.

Answer 8

If you believe that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and his will is absolute, then at the time of creation God willed everything to be as it is today and for all eternity. He knows past, present and future. There is nothing to pray for except to understand God's will. Also, there can be no good, or evil, in God's mind. It is in our minds that we make judgments of good and bad. The Bible teaches us that God created everything and said is was good. Regardless of how you live your life it is according to God's will. You may delude yourself with the freewill argument, but God knew at the moment of creation what each of us would do with the freewill that He gave us, and He said, "It is good."

Answer 9

It was Gods will that you pay for your sins.. Satan is the main cause of death.. not Adam and Eve. Satan sinned long before humans were here. Remember,,he was an angel till he decided to be greedy about wanting Gods power and authority.

Answer 10

It was most definitley God's plan for your friend to die. Prayer can definitley be to ask for things, and if you pray earnestly and not just for material things ex: money, cars, girls.... then you will be heard. God does not have everyones life predetermined. We all have free will. When bad things happen, it is not because god made them happen or when people die, it isnt because God needed another angel. We just live in a bad world and bad things happen.

Answer 11

Free will is not a Bible teaching. It is only part of Christianity that believes in it. You are right in your first two statements and people will perish according tot he will of God.