Skip to main content

Arguing With God

         but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,  (Ephesians 4:15) 

            Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” (Genesis 18:25) 

          I’m listening to Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court, and I think the main character’s type A, snide personality is infecting me a little, because my first thought on reading this verse this morning is “That is all the problem for us. He’s the head.” I think I’d be happy as a clam if I were head, and you probably think you’d be far happier if you were. We might not admit this in public, but we think we have a few ideas that Jesus ought to consider – and consider carefully.

          The interesting thing is that there are examples, like the second passage above, in which people have argued with God, and God seems to have acquiesced. Abram argues with God in Genesis 18. At one point Moses argues with God. Some of the prophets argue with God. And often, they win. But the reason they win may be because they have done what Ephesians 4:15 describes.

          In each case, the argument doesn’t involve a person simply arguing for what he wants. Instead, the person argues in favor of one aspect of God’s personality over another or over what God proclaims. Abram argues that God act justly. Moses argues that what God has proclaimed in terms of God’s reputation. Others have argued using God’s promises – using His words against Him, so to speak. And it is in these arguments that God seems to change His mind.

          Another way of looking at this is to consider how we negotiate with others, particularly with others we love or respect. How would you feel about a spouse, child, or boss consistently demanding one thing after another without reciprocation? Would you want your spouse, child, or boss to try to take advantage of your generosity or love in a way that never considered your feelings, your finances, or your personhood?  And how would you feel if their only inclusion of your feelings, finances, or personhood was clearly nothing more than a tool for manipulation?

          Part of seeking first the kingdom is giving the King and the kingdom priority. As ambassadors of Christ, we have the responsibility to seek the benefit of the kingdom and promote its wellbeing, even if that means suggesting to the King that something might be in His best interest.  And if the well-being of the King and His kingdom is the goal – or even part of the goal – if it even enters our minds – we are closer to praying “in Jesus’ name” than we ever will be by saying those words; and thus, we may be more confident that we will receive we ask. Just like when someone considers your opinion on a matter. And then, Jesus' headship won't be as big a struggle.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meditations of the Heart

  May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14)           As I started writing this post, I noted that the meditations of my heart are all over the mental landscape, from a hub where eight superhighways come together to a lunar or nuclear landscape. Do you see my error? The moment I read the word meditation , I think about thoughts. But what’s described here is the meditations of our hearts ; our wills.           While the meditations of our minds may be all over the place, the meditations of our wills tend to be a little more stable by the time we are adults. We no longer tend to want to pursue the ten separate careers we did in any given day as children. Part of this is humble acceptance of reality. We come to understand that we can’t do it all. I think another part of it is disappointmen...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

              Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me . (John 14:6)           If “I am the gate of the sheep…I am the good shepherd” from chapter 10 is a double whammy, this verse is a triple whammy. And its first victim is the notion that any other so-called god was acceptable or the same as Jesus. He, and He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to get to the Father. There is no other Savior, or Redeemer, according to Jesus. Now, to be fair, other religions will claim that their religion or god(s) are the only way. That is the nature of gods and of religions. If this and that are equally good and agree on what’s necessary, then this and that are the same thing, so there’s no need to from the other to one. If that’s the case, then why speak against the other or promote the one? There’s a song I’ve been listening to i...
Post a Comment
Read more