Apr 28 (1 Kings 11-12)

1st Kings 11

(v.4) What a sad commentary for the wisest man on earth...he let his 700 wives lead him away for the only true God. This should make us all take a moment to think about our own situations, and stay focused on God, instead of things of this world. If the wisest man God created could be led astray from God, then we need to be even more diligent about our walks with God.

(v.11) I teach my kids that there are consequences for disobedience. Some view Christianity as a life of "no" meaning we are shackled, when it's quite the opposite. If we are obeying God, we will have less problems, and enjoy more of His blessings.

(v.14) God disciplines us with other people and by hard times. God used Israel's enemies to bring them back to Him. That is why Rom 8:28 is so true...no matter what we do, God will use bad events to draw us closer to Him. All we have to do, is repent and obey, then we'll enjoy His peace.

(v.36) God doesn't forget His promises. Solomon disobeyed and disgraced his father's name by turning away from God. But God made an unconditional promise to David, that his seed will produce the Messiah, who will save the world from sin. We can take comfort in this, since God has promised us eternal life with Him, if we have faith in His Son. John 3:16

1st Kings 12

When Rehoboam decided to listen to the young men, and ignore the older men's advice regarding Jeroboam, it seems that he was using his free will to decide. But then, it also seems that God steered Rehoboam that way, so the prophecy that He told Jeroboam earlier would come true. So which is it? Did Rehoboam act on his free will, or did God decide for him?

Calvinists believe that no one comes to God, unless God had already preordained them to salvation. After all, God is sovereign, and He can't learn anything. But if He made some to live, and some to be destined to hell, then John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9 are not true!

The Arminians believe that we all have free will, and we can accept, and even lose our salvation by our actions. This takes the work on the cross that Jesus did, to be for nothing, if we can earn or lose our own salvation.

So, many good scholars believe that both are true, but not in their extremes. God is sovereign, and He moves us according to His purposes. However, He does allow us free will, to choose to accept Him, and to choose to live for Him.