Is it possible to resist God's will?

Paul suggests that some will say, "Then why does God still blame us, for who resists His will?" Paul's response is interesting because it in no way resembles an answer that boils down to, "You resist His will, you stiff-necked reprobates!" Instead, the answer is, "Who are you talk back to God, just because everything you do is in accordance with His will, yet He still reserves the right to blame you? It's HIS creation. Doesn't He have the right to make some people one way, and other people another way?" This is, indeed, the point of the story of Job. God does what He will with His creation, and He is under no obligation to explain to us why He does things the way He does. If He strikes a person He Himself said was upright, what is that to you? You're not God.

So, I will ask this question once again: Is it possible to resist God's will? I don't care if you call it His directive or permissive will - it's still His will. Is it possible to resist His will or not?

Please pay careful attention to what I'm asking. I'm not asking if it is possible to resist the Spirit of God, for example, since the Bible clearly states that people do. I'm asking if it is possible to resist God's will. There is a very clear difference, since it may be the will of God for some people to resist His Spirit.

 

Hmmm....just me, but I thought one of the points of the story of Jonah was that it was futile to try to resist God's will.

 

Wow, only one response, and that pointing to a story that illustrates that God's will cannot be thwarted? Is this topic too boring, or are you afraid of the consequences of the answer?

 

That's an oxymoron. If God wills that we are able to resist His will, then we can resist His will. So your answer is simply yes - It is possible to resist God's will.

 

So I take it that your answer is "yes, God's will can be resisted".

 

Are you suggesting Judas could have chosen NOT to betray Jesus?

 

My Bible says Judas had no choice but to betray Jesus. The scripture had to be fulfilled. Why? Because it was the determined purpose of God. And it doesn't say it had to be fulfilled concerning "some guy". It SAYS Judas.

I find it amusing that the two smart-aleck responses are two excellent examples of God's will being fulfilled, whether man likes it or not.

 

Bob, I know I promised not to interact with you anymore, but since you seem to have calmed down a lot (and I commend you for that), I'll respond to this.

The above shows that people resisted doing things or didn't do things. They didn't receive him. The teachers and those in authority would not comfort the children of Jerusalem.

But did they behave that way according to God's will or contrary to it? Would the authorities and leaders of Jerusalem have crucified our Lord if they were of a mind to comfort the children of Jerusalem? We also know, for example, that it was God's will for Judas to betray Jesus (see above post). Then there's the example of Pharoah.

Just because people do bad things does not mean it is outside God's will that they do so. One of the examples I raise often is when Joseph says to his brothers, "You meant it for evil but God MEANT IT for good." In other words, his brothers had their own evil motives, but they were still doing God's will. If they hadn't done it, none of the good things (like saving the family from the famine) would have happened.

As I said in my original post, I don't care if you call it permissive will, directive will, or what have you. My Bible says that not even a sparrow falls to the ground APART FROM HIS WILL.

So I go back to my original question. Is it possible to resist God's will?

 

Elect means many things. You are using "elect" in reference to salvation, but that is not the context of the verse. The context of the verse is more in line with this:

The Jews were elect to, among other things, preserve the oracles of God. The Jews were God's chosen people - not all for salvation, but for other purposes. And these (his own) rejected Him. They HAD TO, especially the leaders, otherwise there would have been no crucifixion and no salvation.

 

You honestly don't realize that God chooses people for different purposes? That's what elect means, you know. Chosen. You thought elect can only mean to salvation, and that the Jews were all elect for salvation?

What is the point of this board?

 

Jesus:

Isaiah 42:1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Angels:

1 Tim 5:21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

Israel:

Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

What do they teach you folks at your churches and Bible studies? Or don't you read the Bible on your own?