We Are In Control Of Very Little
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesHave we ever thought about how many things we have control over? There are many things over which we have no control at all. For example, genealogy records were important for the Jews to keep but in A.D. 70, the nation of Israel and its genealogical records were destroyed by Titus and his legions. Hence, “endless genealogies” were not only a waste of valuable time for Jewish Christians, they also gendered strife (1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 3:9).
How much control do we have over the future? Can anyone predict it or the weather? Though we may plan as wisely as we can for tomorrow, we cannot really control whether or not tomorrow will even come (James 4:13-14).
Because of tremendous resources, there may be some people who have some control over the world’s economy. However, the economy fluctuates up and down based on many world wide events. For example, earthquakes in Taiwan, the Arab world increasing oil prices, the government’s raising of interest rates — all affect the value of our investments. In one day, the little bit of retirement investment this writer had in a 401k fund dropped in value $20,000 — I had virtually no control over that sad event (cf. Ecclesiastes 5:13-14).
There’s an old saying which states: “There are only two things which are certain — death and taxes.” In spite of pursuing the wisest health precautions, we know that one day we shall all die (Hebrews 9:27). We have absolutely no control over that appointed event — and we won’t be late for that appointment!
On the other hand, there are some things over which we have some control. For example, a wise man prepares for the financial well-being of himself and his family by being a good steward of those things God has given (Proverbs 6:6-11). While we are living, those things are in our possession, we do have the ability to use those things in the way we choose (cf. Acts 5:4).
We do have some control over other people. As parents, we are to direct and train our children in the way of proper manners and discipline so they will learn proper behavior (Ephesians 6:4). And wives of unbelieving husbands can, by their godly example, influence their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-2).
But can we change a rude driver’s behavior? No, not at all. We might run into him to teach him a lesson, but it’s not likely that he would learn anything except to hate us. It would be better that we exercise some restraint and not retaliate in kind (Romans 12:17-19). In fact, being polite could cause him to be ashamed of his selfishness (Romans 12:20; Proverbs 25:22; cf. 1 Samuel 24:16-19). We cannot keep someone from doing drugs nor make someone love us. In spite all of our great wisdom, we cannot make parents exercise good parenting skills.
We do have some control over our health, but when we severely sprain our ankle or acquire the flu, then we realize how truly helpless we are. We are given the right by God to make our own choices (Joshua 24:15) — we are not preprogrammed to live out an eternally, predestined existence. Furthermore, sin is a choice — the devil does not make us sin nor do we inherit anyone else’s sin (James 1:13-15; Ezekiel 18:18-20).
Neither does God make us do right, for we choose who shall be our master (Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:12-23). When Peter tells us that we are to add to knowledge faith “self-control” (KJV – “temperance”), that necessarily implies that we can control our behavior (2 Peter 1:6).
And ultimately, we are the only ones in control of our eternal destiny. Our parents, friends, or spouses do not determine where we will spend eternity. It is easy to blame someone else — but in the final analysis, we must accept responsibility for ourselves, for we will give an account for ourselves before Almighty God (2 Corinthians 5:10).
God’s decree regarding our eternal state is based on our response to Him (Romans 2:4-11). So we think we are in control? Maybe we are, and then maybe we’re not — it all depends.
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