God's Approval of Unsaved Men's Actions in Scripture
While God does not approve of the sinful nature or actions of unsaved individuals, Scripture indicates instances where God uses or permits the actions of "lawless men" to fulfill his divine purposes [1]. This concept is distinct from God approving of their sinfulness.
The Bible teaches that all humanity, since the Fall, is born in sin and is inherently evil in heart [4]. As a result, no one can attain justification before God through their own works or perfect obedience to the law [3]. Even the best actions of humanity are seen as deficient in God's eyes [7]. God "will not reject a blameless man, neither will he grasp the hand of evil-doers" [2].
However, God's sovereignty extends to all events, including the actions of the wicked. For example, the crucifixion of Jesus, though carried out by "lawless men," occurred "by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God" [1]. John Calvin notes that God directs the malice of the wicked to achieve his judgments, distinguishing between God's doing and his permitting [6]. This means that while God does not instigate evil, he can use it to accomplish his will.
In some cases, God may appear to assent to prayers or actions that contain "some mixture of good zeal" even if the ruling feeling is "a fervid, and therefore vicious longing for vengeance," as seen in Samson's prayer for vengeance against the Philistines [5]. This does not imply divine approval of the sinful motive, but rather God's ability to work through imperfect human instruments.
Sources
- Acts “him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; -- Acts 2:23”
- Job “Job 8:20 (Rotherham) — Lo! GOD, will not reject a blameless man, neither will he grasp the hand of evil-doers:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justification Before God — Promised in Christ -- Isa 45:25; 53:11. Is the act of God -- Isa 50:8; Ro 8:33. Under law Requires perfect obedience. -- Le 18:5; Ro 10:5; 2:13; Jas 2:10. Man cannot attain to. -- Job 9:2,3,20; 25:4; Ps 130:3; 143:2; Ro 3:20; 9:31,32. Under the gospel Is not of works. -- Ac 13:39; Ro 8:3; Ga 2:16; 3:11. Is not of faith and works united. -- Ac 15:1-29; Ro 3:28; 11:6; Ga 2:14-21; 5:4. Is by faith alone. -- Joh 5:24; Ac 13:39; Ro 3:30; 5:1; Ga 2:16. Is of grace. -- Ro 3:24; 4:16; 5:17-21. In the name of Christ. -- 1Co 6:11. By imputation of Ch”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: ( Judges 9:20 ); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervor also seized Samson, when he prayed, “Strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes,” ( Judges 16:28 ). For although there was some mixture of good zeal, yet his ruling feeling was a fervid, and therefore vicious longing for vengeance. God assents, and hence apparently it might be inferred that prayers are effectual, though not framed in confor”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 34: how, in a common operation, he is exempt from all guilt, and can justly condemn his own ministers. Hence a distinction has been invented between doing and permitting because to many it seemed altogether inexplicable how Satan and all the wicked are so under the hand and authority of God, that he directs their malice to whatever end he pleases, and employs their iniquities to execute his Judgments. The modesty of those who are thus alarmed at the appearance of absurdity might perhaps be excused, did they not endeavour to vindicate t”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 72: the good qualities which he produces in them by means of his Spirit. But we must always bear in mind, that the only way in which men are accepted of God in respect of works is, that whatever good works he has conferred upon those whom he admits to favor, he by an increase of liberality honors with his acceptance. For whence their good works, but just that the Lord having chosen them as vessels of honor, is pleased to adorn them with true purity? And how are their actions deemed good as if there was no deficiency in them, but just t”