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[Dizzy Dean]

This might be a dumb question but I was just wondering, when people say that “God had a plan” or “it’s all part of God’s plan” does that mean he has a plan for you, or the world as a whole?

[jimwalton]

You're going to get different answers from different Christians on this one. God definitely has a plan of salvation that He is playing out through history. The Old Testament was all pointing to the arrival of Jesus, who came at a set time (Gal. 4.4). And we know His crucifixion happened according to plan, as will His return to Earth.

We also know that He has at least specific plans for various parts of the lives of Christians. He moved Paul to Macedonia, and He prevented Paul from going to the province of Asia (Acts 16.6). There are many other examples. Here's where Christians will differ. Some believe that He has a plan for every part of our lives, others that only specific certain things are planned. There's no resolving that divide.

There are other Christians who say "God is in control," and by that they mean everything that happens is God's doing, i.e., part of God's plan. I don't buy that for several reasons. James 1.14 says the sin inside of us is what causes us to do certain things, and those things are not coming fro God. Another reason is that we know Satan is doing things on the Earth, so God is not the one doing those things either. But this will never come to resolution, either.

Does that help? We can talk about it more if you want.

[Laughing Cat]

One of my father's favorite Bible verses was this:

Romans 8:28

"... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."