When we get to heaven, then we will understand. Until then, we walk humbly in faith focusing on our responsibility and trusting God with His. Is that always easy? No. What keeps us from willingly trusting God and not worrying about those things we cannot figure out completely? Pride. In pride, we want to call balls and strikes, be the umpire, pull the flag, or otherwise judge. And, let’s be honest; this is hard to hear. Many of us had rather be angry, bitter, and mouthy than to admit that we might have a pride problem. tead – which takes true humility.
Personal faith and walking with Christ takes much humility. Tons of it. Any honest assessment of our doctrine would admit that there are places in our theology where we simply cannot provide a definitive answer. As simple as faith is, it is also complex in some ways. The question we must ask ourselves is, When we get spiritually where we do not know the answer, how do we respond? That is where humility comes in. Let me explain.
Examples of Places Where We do not Know the Answers
I’ll just use one passage that highlights two places where we simply do not know everything going on theologically. In Luke 22:1-13, we find two scenes at the very end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. First, Satan is said to have entered Judas. He went and bartered a deal to betray Jesus. Under the influence of Satan – yes. He was the human agent of betrayal. However, he was also responsible for this most heinous crime in human history (cf. Matt 26:24). In fact, for chapters, Luke had expressed the desire by the religious leaders to kill Jesus; Judas just helped with the plans. In fact, Peter identified all of them as guilty of putting Jesus to death (cf., Acts 2:22-24).
This brings us the issue where we simply must respond, “I don’t know.” The issue? How does God’s sovereignty, Satan’s influence, the religious leader’s desires, and Judas’ betrayal all work together?
The Bible does tell us that God is not tempted by evil, not does He tempt anyone (cf., James 1:13). We realize the ones who perpetuated this awful crime are responsible. But where does human responsibility and God’s sovereignty combine? We simply do not know. They both exist but the exact place and sequence and parameters, we do not know.
In the same text, we see the second example. Jesus tells John and Peter to go into Jerusalem and make ready for the Passover meal (Luke 22:7-13). They agree to do it but ask Him how they should prepare. Jesus explains that they should go into Jerusalem, see a man carrying a jug of water, follow him back to his house, ask the house owner to borrow a place for the meal, and the man will let them borrow it.
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