OPEN THE DOOR
by Gloria Copeland
CONTRARY TO WHAT a lot of well-meaning people believe, everything that happens in this world is not the will of God. When tragedy strikes in someone’s life, it’s not because God had some mysterious purpose for it.
When bad things happen to good people, as the saying goes, God isn’t the one behind those bad things.
He’s not withholding healing from people because it’s His will for them to die.
He’s not withholding prosperity from people because it’s His will for them to be poor.
He’s not withholding salvation from people because it’s His will for them to be lost.
No, the Bible is clear: God’s will is for “all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). The word saved is translated from the Greek word sozo. It refers to deliverance from every kind of evil—both temporal and eternal. It tells us that God’s will is for all people everywhere to be born again, protected, prospered and BLESSED in every way.
Why then aren’t all those BLESSINGS being experienced by everyone?
Because God doesn’t storm into people’s lives and take over. He doesn’t just barge into your life and do whatever He wants. That’s the kind of thing the devil does.
The devil roams around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He’s a thief who comes in uninvited to steal, kill and destroy. If you don’t stay on guard and resist him, even though you’re a Christian, the devil will push his way into your life and carry out his evil will.
God, on the other hand, won’t ever force His will on you. For Him to do what He wants in some area of your life, YOU MUST GIVE HIM PLACE.
26 : BVOV
