Was The Cross Caused By God Or Man?

 Was the cross caused by God or man?

Today, we conclude this series by applying the sound doctrines of God’s will, as revealed in the Holy Bible, to real-life scenarios. I have the privilege of demonstrating how God’s will and the causes He uses are applied in practical ways. Since the Bible is a historical book, I’ll draw one example from Scripture, one from my life, and conclude with a practical application after examining who caused the cross.

I. A Biblical Example: Israel’s Demand for a King

To understand any biblical event, we must consider its historical context. In the case of King Saul (1 Samuel 8:10–18), God warned Israel against desiring an earthly king, outlining the consequences:

The king would take:

·         Their sons for his army.

·         The best of society as commanders over farming and industry.

·         Their daughters to serve him.

·         The best land, redistributing it to his loyalists.

·         A tenth of their grain for his commanders.

·         Their servants, young men, and livestock for his purposes.

This warning reflects God’s decretive will—His sovereign plan. Through Samuel, God cautioned Israel, yet they insisted on a king. This illustrates God’s will and mankind’s self-will working together to fulfill His decree. How do we know this was God’s decreed will? Simply put, it happened in history—God’s decreed will always comes to pass.

In 1 Samuel 8:19–22, Israel’s response to Samuel’s warning reveals their self-will:

·         “No! We will have a king over us.”

·         “We want to be like other nations.”

·         “Our king will judge us and fight our battles.”

God, as the first cause, issued the warning. Israel’s rebellious self-will, the second cause, drove their decision. The Bible honestly portrays Israel seeking joy and purpose in their will, not God’s, a choice that never ends well (Genesis 17:7).

This pattern unfolds in real life:

·         God decrees His purposes before the foundation of the world.

·         God acts as the first cause.

·         Mankind acts as the second cause.

·         This reveals God’s will.

We must let Scripture, not feelings, shape our doctrine. Did God cause Israel to surrender their children and land to Saul? In a decretive sense, yes—He ordained it. In a causal sense, no—Israel’s rebellion drove the outcome. This template applies to any biblical narrative and our lives. Accepting God’s work in history, as revealed in Scripture, is the wisest response.

II. A Personal Example: God’s Call to Ministry

God saved me 24 years ago, and I’m humbled by His transformative work. Here’s how He called me into ministry.

Upon salvation, I felt a strong desire to share my faith but lacked the tools to do so effectively. Uncertain if this was God’s will, my wife and I prayed and sought His guidance. I took three steps:

1. Studied Scripture: I examined the Bible's teachings on evangelism and sharing the Gospel.

2. Sought Godly Counsel: After receiving mixed advice, I discerned which counsel aligned with Scripture.

3. Waited on God: I looked for open or closed doors to confirm His direction.

Scripture clarified that God’s decreed will includes sharing the Gospel, with Him working in people’s hearts. Seeking counsel was challenging; some warned I was pushing people away, while others encouraged my approach. The fear of man, like Israel’s, tested me. Yet, God confirmed His will: I was accepted into a Christian college, funding arrived, and my zeal for the Gospel grew. Mature Christians provided encouragement, though challenges persisted.

Reflecting on my journey, I see God’s decreed purposes unfolding through His will and my self-will. For example, when deciding whether to pursue full-time ministry, I sought counsel and waited on God. Though funding was uncertain, we stepped out in faith, and God provided exactly what we needed.

Sometimes, we must obey God’s will, and provision follows. Other times, provision reveals His will. Like Israel, we must avoid dictating our plans to God. Instead, seek His Word, godly counsel, and open doors to discern His decreed will. Israel’s rebellion led to a king, fulfilling God’s plan through their sin. We must choose obedience to avoid similar consequences.

III. The Cross: God’s Will and Mankind’s Rebellion

God’s greatest demonstration of love—the cross—arises from mankind’s rebellion. Was the cross caused by God or man? Yes. 😊 In the decretive sense, God ordained it. In the causal sense, mankind’s sin necessitated it. Without rebellion, we wouldn’t know the depth of His mercy. Until next month, proclaim the Gospel and watch lives transform.

IV. Application Points

1. How do God’s decreed purposes interact with mankind’s self-will? Explain.

2. Identify another biblical narrative where God’s commands conflict with human rebellion. How did God fulfill His purposes, and how do the first cause -God- and the second cause -mankind- operate? Email your response.

3. Share how God has worked His decreed purposes in your life. Your story might be featured on a podcast. Email: twlatzggm@gmail.com.