One of the issues many people have about being responsible beings accountable for their own actions is the fact accountability also means that an evaluation is required that may form the basis of future judgment.
There is no need for accountability if there is no responsibility expected of anyone. Do whatever you want, to whomever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want.
The problem with situational ethics is that this atheist view of life produces tyrants like Stalin, Mao and Kim Jong-un. Such individuals do whatever they want, to whomever they want, wherever they want, whenever they want, and if you happen to be the target of such an individual’s ire—bad luck for you!
Godless people have no compunction about doing whatever, wherever, whenever. In which respect, it is a wonder that they bother to claim the moral high ground. You know the type: “If God exists, He has to answer to me. But I do not believe in Him, therefore He doesn’t exist. I believe in the big bang. I believe life is temporary. I believe we are merely chemical reactions. I believe….” and so on goes the nonsense.
What is not nonsense is the truth that if godless people, who are atheists, did not have to give an account of themselves in some way to God-fearing people, they would not bother to claim any form of morality. But then, since many of these atheists have never really had to face crises that shake the very cells in their bones, not to mention those in their eyeballs, the reality of the truth about life seems foreign to them. Most of them are really carrying out the rebellion of their juvenile years that was repressed by their fears of being authentic human beings or suppressed because of their cowardice when among peers.
Does God purposefully block atheists’ plans to lead them to a better outcome?
The Bible teaches that what a person decides is up to that person. If a person decides to reject what God is seeking to do for the good of Creation, then that person has to give an account. It is no mystery that we read in the book of Isaiah that God desires to reason with us (Isaiah 1:18). Although, it can be difficult to reason with someone you do no know. In which case, we are told in the Bible that as an individual, we are given the opportunity to seek God out, so that we might feel after Him and find Him (Acts 17:26–28).
Any person rejecting the existence of God, does so, because of whatever reason is thought acceptable to the person.
This could be as petty as; “I said to God that I want to win the lottery, but you did not let me, so I know you do not exist.”
Or a case of immature narcissism: “God does not exist because I have an IQ (presumably, Ignorance Quotient) of 199.99, and because I am so smart I possess omniscience.”
You now how it goes, people stand in front of a mirror and genuflect in admiration of themselves: “Mirror mirror on the wall, why is it I am not the dumbest of them all. If God were like me, then He could join my delusion.”
Wisdom is the recognition that being born to die is futile; for if this is all that there is to existence, then this is an evil, especially when you can conceive of eternity. Moreover, being born to die and having to experience suffering between the two events is a compounded evil.
The Film It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) depicts what is found in the Bible, even if done with a hint of sarcasm—using Clarence, the clown. The story tells of a boy who makes a decision to save his brother, and this is the beginning of his forming a desire to rescue those who are drowning in the sea of financial debt. The intervention of the messenger from God saves the day. (Unbelievably, even children of this day and age enjoy the flick. After all, one has to admit, truth is timeless.)
Essentially, what we sow we reap. The eyes of the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient One roam the Earth to see who hates evil and desires righteousness. Those who desire righteousness are the ones whom God desires to bless over and above all those who don’t.
- And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)
The words of King David to his son Solomon clearly indicate that the decision to do whatever we desire is ours. We can either seek God or reject Him. Freewill is our responsibility and we are accountable for what we do. That we understand there is accountability for being responsible for our actions, also tells us that judgment was a prerequisite for our possessing freewill; therefore judgment will probably be a requisite for entering the domain of eternity.
All things work together for good for those who are called according to the plan and purpose of our Creator. The essence of this plan and purpose is found in our exercising our freewill and seeking an audience with the One who loves us the most (1 John 4:10). Only the genuine need apply, as King David implies when telling his son, Solomon, that God searches the hearts of each one of us—no point in entering a relationship with a person who lies (cf. Luke 8:15) .
You might think someone is pulling the wool over my eyes. But understand this: God has got not only my number but also your number. He can call you up anytime (Hebrews 9:27) . What you need to do is find the number of your Savior, so you can call him before it is too late (John 5:24). This is the message of the Bible.
God does not block your plans. Conditioning blocks your plans. Ignorance blocks your plans. Sin blocks your plans.
Sin brings forth death and each one is tempted to sin when enticed after his or her own desires. Each one is given the opportunity to acknowledge the truth. The truth is that the principles that govern the Universe, that govern human behavior exist, and the circumstance that appears to be God blocking your plans, is probably you making the wrong decision, or being taken to the limit of your ability (The Peter Principle). This God will use for good, in the hope that you might hear His voice.
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