Faith is rationale?

Those reading Fortner’s devotional with me might respond today with a bit of dismay and question marks. He believes that Jesus died only for the sins of those who believe in Him, that is, His substitutionary death was only for some, not for the entire human race. He presented Scripture to make his point.

As I considered this and noticed how many verses appear to support this idea, I wondered about the opposite view, that Jesus died for the whole world. A bit of study brought me to the issue of antinomy, a term to do with the inability of our minds to comprehend the mind of God.

For instance, consider the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility regarding salvation. The Bible teaches God’s election and predestination, that God marked believers out beforehand and chose them for salvation in eternity past. Yet the Bible also clearly teaches that people have a responsibility to believe.

One verse makes an interesting connection in the way it is worded: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)

Some people call God’s choice ‘predestination’ and others call it ‘fatalism’ saying, “Nothing I do can change anything at all. All incentives are removed. I can only pretend to be making a difference.” But others focus on the will of man and say we need to do our best and we can change the world.

Both views seem reasonable, yet this shows our inability to comprehend how two rational ideas can exist side by side and both be true, but in this case, they are.

One of the best examples of an antinomy is at Pentecost when Peter explained why Christ died:

“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23)

Jesus died due to God’s sovereign hand, yet Peter charged the people for crucifying Him. Who can comprehend that both are true, but they are!

Another antinomy is at issue in today’s devotional. Fortner says Jesus died only for believers because if He died for everyone, those who do not believe would make His death for them a failure, a salvation that didn’t work. But if He died for only believers, this belies verses like John 3:16.

The first passage that popped into my head is this statement that Jesus made about the Holy Spirit:

“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me . . . .” (John 16:8–9)

Jesus died for sinners; the price has been paid. There is only one sin that keeps people out of God’s kingdom: the failure to believe in Jesus Christ. Some will not receive eternal life because they refused it. They are disqualified because they didn’t believe, not because Jesus didn’t die for them. This lack of believing is the unforgiveable sin.

In the devotional, verses from Isaiah suggest an inclusiveness: the sacrifice saved only those who were chosen; God’s people, but those verses are pointing to the nation of Israel. If Jesus didn’t die for everyone, then what about this verse:

“The next day he) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Another thought: Jesus died to forgive sins, but also for sin. That is, we need forgiveness for our sinful thoughts, words and deeds, but we also need regeneration to give us new life, to change us into new creatures. This is good news, nothing like suggesting to others, “Sorry, I’m in, but you are out.”

Instead, Jesus died and then put the ball into the sinner’s court. God has provided the solution. It isn’t His fault or failure if sinners refuse to take responsibility for their sin and seek His forgiveness.

Of course God knows from eternity past who will and who will not come to Christ, yet the Bible uses “Whosoever will . . . .” often enough that I must conclude both are true: God is sovereign and we are not robots. That is the tension of an antinomy, and also the tension of faith.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your Word proves that sin messes with my ability to totally understand You. However, faith can say “I believe both sides of this” without losing heart or needing to pick one side to satisfy my reasoning. Faith is trusting what You say, even when I cannot rationalize or put all the pieces together. You are my wisdom. If I need to make sense of this antinomy, You will grace me with understanding. For now, I am content with faith. 

Hope for even fools

Jeremiah 47:1–48:47, Romans 11:11–24, Proverbs 26:1–11

My dad used to say, “There is no fool like an old fool.” This thought is not far from some of Solomon’s proverbs. The one that smacks me in the face today says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)

When I think of my repeated foolishness along with the image Solomon uses, my stomach does a flip-flop and my heart is totally ashamed. I used to think that I was smart, certainly not a fool. I was wrong.

The Israelites were also arrogant as were the nations around them. Jeremiah discusses the fate of two of those nations. The first are the Philistines, who lived on the coastal plain of Palestine. For them the prophet says, “For, because you trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken; and Chemosh shall go into exile with his priests and his officials. The destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the Lord has spoken.” (Jeremiah 48:7–8)

They did not trust God; they only trusted themselves. This is also my problem and the reason I’ve repeated foolishness.

The second nation is the Moabites, Lot’s descendants. They lived east of the Dead Sea and often fought with Israel. For them, Jeremiah spoke first of the army that would come to destroy them: “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.” In other words, God was angry with the sins of Moab to the point that whoever would be His instrument to judge them had better do a good job of it or they also would be in deep trouble.

Then Jeremiah used a vivid image from wine making, “Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his jars in pieces.” (Jeremiah 48:10–12)

When producing sweet wine, the juice was left in a wineskin until the sediment or dregs settled onto the bottom. Then it was poured into another skin until more dregs were separated. This process continued until the dregs were all removed leaving a pure, sweet wine. Jeremiah uses this to illustrate that Moab had not experienced  this pouring from suffering to suffering to purge their bitter dregs and instead settled into sin. Now judgment was coming to break them in pieces.

Moab’s sins were rooted in pride: “We have heard of the pride of Moab— he is very proud— of his loftiness, his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart. I know his insolence, declares the Lord; his boasts are false, his deeds are false . . . . Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the Lord.” (Jeremiah 48:29–30, 42)

My sins, particularly those that are repeated, reveal my pride too. I have Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to enable me to say no to sin, but in pride, I sometimes think I know how to run my life without divine help. Because of that pride, I know what it is like to be poured back and forth to remove my impurities. Such pouring is not fun, but I understand the value of it.

Moab did not, and yet they were promised amazing grace from God. Jeremiah told them: “Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh are undone, for your sons have been taken captive, and your daughters into captivity. Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 48:46–47) God is so incredible. All have sinned and deserve wrath, yet He is merciful, even on those who resist Him.

In the NT, Paul writes of the Jews being “broken off because of their unbelief” and the Gentiles who “stand fast through faith.” But he also warns against pride, for “if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.” He cut off Israel. Non-Jewish believers need to remember that and not become proud. I need to remember that and also not become proud.

However, Paul also says the most powerful thing concerning Israel: “God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:20–23) Moab is given hope. Israel is given hope. This is the power and mercy of God. He was willing to sacrifice His own Son that sinners full of pride and foolishly sure of ourselves can be restored.

May your joy at Christmas center on God's amazing grace in sending Jesus to save us fools from ourselves!

Mourning, widows, and pressing on...

1 Chronicles 7:1–40; 1 Timothy 5:1–9; Psalm 78:30–52

Reading Old Testament genealogies gives me a little insight into the customs of ancient Israel. They also show me something about the way God fits those customs into His plans. Consider these verses that describe how Ephriam mourned the deaths of his offspring....

“The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to raid their livestock. And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. And Ephraim went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. And he called his name Beriah, because disaster had befallen his house. His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son, Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Nun his son, Joshua his son.” (1 Chronicles 7:20–27)

I spy God at the end of this passage. Because Ephraim’s mourning was expressed and comforted in his bedroom, eventually a great leader was born: Joshua the son of Nun who led God’s people after Moses died. It appears this happened about six generations later, so this man did not see the birth of Joshua or know how God used him. Nevertheless, God is never limited by the behavior of His people. This helps me joyfully trust Him with posterity or any concerns about a lasting legacy.

The NT reading is about widows. I’m not one yet, and that day may come. Lately God has given me a genuine burden for all women who are alone and missing their departed spouse. In Bible times, widows had very little status. However, Jesus changed that. His Word says, “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.” (1 Timothy 5:3–7)

Widows are to be honored and cared for, but that does not give them license to be self-centered. I’m thinking of “Grandma Cooper” whose interest in the world made her a delight to spend time with, and I’m certain this contributed to her long life.

My dad used to say, “There is no fool like an old fool,” a maxim that lines up with this principle also. God doesn’t intend that advancing years give His people an excuse to indulge in things like self-pity, declining faith, constant complaining, or any other self-centered behavior. My goal to be a “sweet little old lady” fits with the Lord’s instructions, so that goal must be His idea.

However, I know the challenges of aging. Someone once asked me if being a Christian gets easier as I get older. Think of it this way; the more temptation is resisted, the stronger it becomes. If I give into it, it goes away. If I don’t, I am in a war. While trusting God deepens, so also does the temptation to not trust God.

The last reading from the Psalms yields these verses that describe the care of God and the carelessness of His people. After several descriptions of how the Lord watched over them, the psalmist says, “In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.” (Psalm 78:32–39)

Faithfulness to God should be improved by practice, yet as I grow older, I’m increasingly aware of my deepening need for Him and for His grace to keep me from sin, to grant me genuine repentance, to remind me He is my rock and redeemer. I cannot atone for my own sin and when I do sin, I’m more aware that God has every right to pour out His wrath — but He poured it on Christ. That is why I am still here, still trusting Him, and pressing on as the days fly by.

How do I know that God is good?

Whenever a church leader asks for words of praise, those in the congregation usually turn that into words of thanksgiving. We are instructed to praise God for who He is, yet so often it becomes thanksgiving for His actions, particularly those done on our behalf.

When Mary was told that she would give birth to the long-awaited Messiah, she sang a song of praise. She began with praise for the great things God had done for her, then added praise for what He had done for others. From her words, what do I see about the character of God? From her example, can praise for who God is be separated from thanksgiving for what He has done?

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:46–55)

Mary praises God for being mindful of sinners and blessing lowly people. He could have chosen anyone to be the mother of Jesus, someone esteemed in society. He did not do that.

She praises His holiness, a difficult concept for us. We are living in a muck-filled world to the point that absolute purity is unimaginable. Yet holiness goes beyond purity and embraces omnipotence, eternity and glory. It evokes awe. From Bible times, even profaning God’s holy name was a serious sin. His name gives holiness a personal dimension, fusing it with divinity in contrast to lesser gods and our human creatureliness. His holiness expresses his divine perfection. Again, we have difficulty defining something so far above and beyond what we are, flawed and imperfect.

God is merciful. Mercy means withholding from people what they deserve. As a sinner, I should be punished, but the mercy of God put that punishment on Jesus Christ. I can praise God that He is merciful, but with this characteristic particularly, I realize how difficult it is to separate praise from thanksgiving. In mercy, God acts. His qualities are never static.

Mary praised God for being strong, yet how did she know, or how do we know that apart from the evidence of His actions? This is also true about His love. We can praise Him for being a loving God, but how would we know that if He did not demonstrate it? 

The idea of separating praise from thanksgiving likely has a purpose. It is to help the self-centered think more about the goodness of God than “what’s in it for me.” Instead of keeping the spotlight on myself, it elevates Him in my heart . . .

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1–4)

In this instruction, the idea of who and where God is reveals the connection between His character and His actions, particularly actions on behalf of those who have been raised from sin and spiritual death to new life in Jesus Christ. Because God so loved the world, He sent Jesus to die for sinners. That same Jesus has been raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God. Because of what He did and where He is, I can consider myself dead to sin and alive to God. Because of His character and His actions, I am able to seek eternal matters and set my mind there instead of remaining in the muck.