God is not “in Control.” He rules and reigns, which is a totally different thing. If He was “in control” Adam and Eve would not have had a choice, to obey or disobey. If He was “in Control” Noah’s obedience to build the ark would not have been credited to him as obedience. God (who is in control?) simply “made him do it.”

If God was in Control, it would mean he is unjust. According to that theory, he is picking and choosing who he will bless and not bless. He is deciding who will be saved or not saved. He just goes by his whims, because he is God. That’s superstition, not the truth.

He can guide us, but only based on the decisions we have already made in our heart. If we have decided we will do it God’s way (not matter how bad it hurts) Then he can guide us, to where we are supposed to be going next. That guidance will be based on God’s wisdom, and what is ultimately best, for us.

I see being guided by God’s Spirit is a lot like how a remote-control car works. There is an inner mechanism, which responds to the person guiding the car with this other device. 

 If the connection is broken, there will be no guidance, the car will just sit there. If we are not guided, maybe it’s time to ask if the connection is broken.

                                        We may need to allow God to put something IN US Before he has something to work with day by day, In His Guidance, of us. That’s why we study, and pray. You are not some special exception to this rule. 

God responds to prayer, which gives him access (to rule and reign) over the situation. He would not tell us prayer is so important, and then turn around and say, “I’m in control.” That doesn’t even make any sense.

                He Rules and Reigns.  now, he may want obedience before the request gets answered. He may say “Put mud in your eye,” Or “Go study this passage” Or “go to this church” or “Go see this person” (As that too, is guidance.) WE choose. Yes/No. 

If God were in control (of everything) there would be no reason to participate, no reason to pray, have faith, or even obey. There would be no reason for rewards in heaven, and the reaping what you sow concept would all be based on God’s whims, and not your own decisions.

The idea that “God is in Control” probably came out of frustration, for someone who wondered why things went as they did. “I was having faith,” they said, and “things went badly.” “What happened?”

Someone told them well, “God is in control” and it’s up to him, for he is God!

Was God “In conrol” when Annanias and Saphirra decided to lie (and listen to to the devil rather than God?) Books of Acts, chapter 5. No, they made a decision. 

It reminds me of the parent who says; “Because I said so!” To a child who is asking why they must do a thing (they do not wish to do.) God is willing to give us understanding. He may make us wait for it, until we are capable of understanding or ready to understand, as he did say, “I have many things to tell you but you cannot bear to hear them now.” Sometimes we are just not ready, or prepared to hear the truths, which he wants to get across.

Especially in cases where we may find out, “we’ve doing it wrong all these years.” That my friend, is something we need to brace ourselves for, before we’ll be ready to hear it. “The Lord Reigns!” Very different from “In control.” K?

-Laura Grace, Author grace to Grow, Grace to Grow, the Study Guide. Peace!