Purpose of Providence in Believers' Lives Explained
The Purpose of Providence in Believers' Lives
The concept of providence is central to understanding God's interaction with humanity. Providence refers to God's care and governance over His creation, guiding events to achieve His purposes [1]. In the context of believers' lives, providence encompasses various aspects, including preservation, provision, protection, and guidance.
The biblical foundation for the doctrine of providence is extensive. Scriptures such as Psalm 104:14, 135:5-7, and Acts 14:17 demonstrate God's providence in the natural world. Moreover, passages like Psalm 104:21-29, Matthew 6:26, and 10:29 highlight His care for the brute creation. The affairs of men and individuals are also under God's providential care, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:31, Psalm 47:7, Proverbs 21:1, and Job 12:23 [1].
The purpose of providence in believers' lives is multifaceted. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, it involves preserving, providing for, protecting, and prospering saints, as well as delivering them from harm and leading them in their spiritual journeys [2]. This understanding is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Psalm 37:28, 91:11, and Matthew 10:30, which assure believers of God's preservation and protection.
One key aspect of providence is its role in the perseverance of saints. The doctrine of perseverance asserts that those who are justified and regenerated will certainly continue in a state of grace and attain everlasting life. This is supported by passages like John 10:28-29, Romans 11:29, and Philippians 1:6 [3]. The immutability of God's decrees, the provisions of the covenant of grace, and the intercession of Christ all contribute to the believer's perseverance.
The connection between providence and the believer's assurance is also significant. Assurance is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love. It is the effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel [4]. The providence of God is a foundation for assurance, as it demonstrates God's care and control over all circumstances.
In the New Testament, the concept of providence is closely tied to the believer's hope and salvation. According to 1 Timothy 4:10, believers labor and suffer reproach because they have their hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe [5, 6]. The providence of God is also linked to the believer's calling to live a holy life, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:9-10 [8].
The interpretation of providence varies across different Christian traditions. For instance, the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes God's sovereignty in providence, highlighting how He serves His designs through persons of different tempers and conditions [7]. The Protestant academic tradition, as seen in the Tyndale House commentary on Titus 2:11, underscores the connection between God's grace and the believer's conduct, emphasizing that God's grace is a model for the church's own behavior.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints — Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the ato”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:10 (BBE) — And this is the purpose of all our work and our fighting, because our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and specially of those who have faith.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:10: therefore--Greek, "with a view to this." The reason why "we both ('both' is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read 'strive') is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living (and therefore, life-giving, Ti1 4:8) God." Saviour--even in this life (Ti1 4:8). specially of those that believe--Their "labor and reproach" are not inconsistent with their having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life (Mar 10:30, "a hundred fold now in this time . . . wit”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 29:13: This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are contrary the one to the other. Some are poor and forced to borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of the mammon of unrighteousness (deceitful riches they are called), and they are creditors, or usurers, as it is in the margin. Some are poor, and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful, and deceitful. They meet together in the business of this world, and have dealings with ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 1:9: 1:9-10 This passage underscores the importance of obedience (1:8) and strengthens Timothy for it (cp. 1 Tim 1:15; 2:5-6). • God saved us . . . Christ Jesus, our Savior: God and Christ are described interchangeably in the role of Savior (see 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3-4). • called us to live a holy life: Salvation and godliness are linked (see 1 Tim 3:14-16; 5:8; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Eph 2:10). • not because we deserved it: We deserve condemnation (see Rom 3:23-24; 5:6-11; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). • that was his plan from before the beginning of time: See Titus 1:2; John 17:2”