OK with the unexplainable & not knowing who’s in and who’s out
By Dean Collins
Who’s in and who’s out? As much as we would like to think we know the answer, I suspect wisdom would be to step away from your confidence and allow the unexplainable to be left with the wisdom and knowledge of God.
Yes, there are many great Bible scholars and theologians who have their well-researched positions. The combination of great study of the original languages of Scripture along with church history and traditions have created many theological frameworks. And as much as we would like to put all of God’s truth in a set of tidy boxes, if we are honest, some of our theology and doctrinal positions have to be shoved in or forced to fit the system we’ve chosen.
Some of our doctrinal positions have to be forced to fit the theological framework we’ve chosen.
Oh, how it is so much easier when 1 + 1 = 2 and the logic of philosophers and theologians always illuminates or better proves the point, but if I understand chapter 11 of Romans, it just doesn’t work that way. Paul spent a few chapters leading up to this point trying to help both the Jewish and Gentile Christians understand their history and their status in Christ. At that moment and in this moment there is and will remain a remnant, chosen by grace. Try as I might, I will probably never be able to explain the intricacies of our remnant status or the why of how God leverages the saved to help the lost discover their lostness, but he does.
And whatever theological branches you choose to stand on, we are warned about arrogance. Paul says so when he reminds all of us that it isn’t the cart that pulls the horse or, in Paul’s words, the branches that support the root. It’s all about the root of Jesse, and we would do well to focus first, most, and always on Jesus.
Good news
The good news for all of us is that God’s gifts are irrevocable. What we have to offer in the equation is fragile, fragmented, and often futile. But on God’s side of the formula, his gifts delivered by way of his grace are sealed, safe, and result in our salvation.
Next time you find yourself so sure you are right or not sure at all what you understand, I would advise praying the doxology Paul ends with in chapter 11.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Surrendering daily
I memorized this when I was 19 or 20. Don’t be impressed. It was a requirement for a class! I hated memory work and even told a professor in my youthful arrogance, “What does regurgitation have to do with learning?” I’m embarrassed by my former self. I had to admit this passage was at least poetic. Now I understand it is not only poetic, it is the foundation of my life. It comforts me. It frees me from needing to know all things. It releases me from having to fix and explain what I can’t. And it reminds me that God is and has always been in control.
These days I’m less interested in who’s in or out and more focused on surrendering daily to the one who has given me the gift of life filled with abundance and lasting forever. I know what you know: We can never repay what God has done for us. So let’s simply park where Paul parked, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.”
Your time with God’s Word
Romans 11:5-6, 16, 18, 25-36 ESV
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“No entry” photo by Erik Mclean from Pexels.
