Have you ever caught yourself repeating a catchy phrase you’ve heard, but haven’t really thought through? Just because something is oft-repeated doesn’t mean it’s actually so.
As followers of Christ, we need to put today’s common sayings through the filter of God’s word to see if they are true.
According to Colossians 2:8, some philosophies are empty and deceptive. They come from the elemental spirits of this world, not from Christ. Here are two examples:
1. “Everything happens for a reason.”
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Christians believe God is in control of all things and will ultimately use even hardship for our greater good.
However, many difficulties are the result of sin. We mess up, plus we live on a broken planet. God’s original plan never included sickness, death, or relational discord. Not everything that happens is what God wants.
Passive acceptance of circumstances is not the same thing as finding real peace in Christ. We can respond to hardship with prayer praise, or repentance.
Faith is active, not passive.
2. “It was meant to be.”
This fatalistic point of view assigns power to the impersonal idea of the universe rather than to a personal God. It allows decision-making based on feelings rather than moral law.
One example of bad fruit from fatalism is the notion that there is a soul mate out there for each of us; therefore, if we happen to be married to the wrong person, it’s okay to divorce them when we find the relationship that was “meant to be.”
God wants obedience, not blind acceptance of “fate.”
Stuff happens. Some things are the result of our choices; some are random happenings on a broken planet.
The good news? God orders the steps of his children, and brings beauty from ashes
