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. And, this text says that is what took place.

Think about this. Jesus predicted what would happen and it did. Peter and John go – that it their choice. When they arrive, they do see a man carrying a jug of water. This means that the man had to personally choose to pick up a jug rather than a leather bag, go to the well to get water, and for the disciples to see Him. They follow him and find out, indeed, the place is available and ready for Jesus.

Human choices and God’s sovereignty again play into this moment in history. But how?

Paul wrote, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). He continues, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom 8:29).

But how?

All we know, based upon our belief in the Bible, that they things are true. By faith, we accept these things. Be faith, we believe (cf., Hebrews 11).

Where does humility come in? Humility is necessary because we so desperately want to know how all these things fit together perfectly. Solomon wrote, “And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be afflicted. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind (Eccl 1:13-14).

We want to know because God has created us as meaning-maker, inquisitive, questioning people. Yet, we do not know.

The only other option, live life out of those things that we do know, and, by faith, trust God with it (cf., Eccl 12:13-14). In other words, trust God and obey Him.

This only happens as we are humble.

We respond by faith in what is clear and trust God with what is not. People have free agency, free will, and are responsible for what they do with both. Yet, God is sovereign.

Talking with Howard Eyrich this week, he and I recalled an old hymn, We’ll Understand It Better By and By. Yes, exactly.

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.

When life happens and it seems not so good, and when life happens and it seems excellent, in both instances, we rejoice in God’s providential care or sovereignty while also seeking to respond in faithful obedience as well. And, yes, even when we do not know.

 

Image Credit Emily Morter