At first, we might assume that our natural lives and backgrounds established our destinies regardless of our faith. But then we hear testimonies of those who were in prison, or in thousands of dollars of debt, those who were uneducated or came from broken homes and marriages, or were sick with terminal diseases, and they share stories of victory and blessing.
Haven’t all believers been made new creations?
Why do some have such wonderful testimonies while others seem trapped in lives of continual loss?
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
—James 1:17
God is not the variable.
God is continually and constantly good. He is unchanging and has provided for man’s every need through the Gospel. Understanding the true nature of God is the first step in breaking free from failure, loss, and heartache. Your image of God sets the course for your life.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” —John 10:10b
If God is constant and provides a never-ending flow of grace, love, and good toward mankind, why do so many believers struggle in life? The variable has always been mankind.
Consider the following:
- “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6
- “… And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” —2 Timothy 4:4
- “You have become dull of hearing.” —Hebrews 5:11
- “They did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” —2 Thessalonians 2:10
- “The light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” —John 3:19
Lack of knowledge, lack of hearing, loving darkness, and not loving the truth are major reasons that men, even believers, suffer. God will not violate our free will.
Barry Bennett
Charis Instructor