Making It Personal
The question for the afternoon comes from verses 27-32, “was sin in God’s plan for man?” Verse 32 says that God has concluded all sinners so that He might have mercy on all. Therefore, if all are not sinners than not all would receive mercy.
Several thoughts come to mind. First, it must bring pleasure to God to have mercy upon humanity. There is no other way to enter into a relationship with God but through His mercy. God desires to have all men to Himself and therefore he takes pleasure in giving mercy.
Now it is never God’s will that man sin, but man must have fallen to be in need of mercy. This just shows the total sovereignty of God. Who but God can take the free will of man and still be in control? Who but God can allow man to make their own decisions and not have His plans thwarted? God is a totally sovereign God.
Second, why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden? If the tree had not been there, Adam would never have sinned. God knew man was going to sin so why put the tree in the garden? God placed the tree in the garden knowing fully that man would sin. Again, it is never His will that man sin, but God desires to show mercy.
To understand God’s mercy and man’s choice, we need to be mindful that there are two kinds of sin. One kind is premeditated and in absolute rebellion and defiance of God. The other is still man’s choice, but is in a moment of weakness and deception. The second sin is one that repentance usually follows and the one for which God takes pleasure in showing mercy. God’s mercy does not give us a free pass to sin but rather should give us a desire to serve. Therefore, sin is not God’s will for man but maybe in His plan for man.