Scripture repeatedly explains that God requires His people to have faith in Him, to believe what He tells us, even if what He tells us stretches or surpasses our understanding. After all that is what faith is, an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence; a complete trust, confidence or reliance; and a allegiance and loyalty to God.
Mankind wants to understand how something is going to work before moving forward. This need to understand prior to committing to what God has instructed, works against the principle of faith in God.
This is not to say that it is a bad thing to think something through or to perform due diligence prior to getting involved with some new venture. Careful research, thoughtful planning and acquiring a sound understanding before getting involved with something displays wisdom.
That said, it is also vitally important to understand that there are certain things that are beyond our understanding. How can one hope to understand the mind or capabilities of God? If God has spoken either directly or through His word (the Bible, Scripture) and has given us direction, we are to obey without questioning how or why.
God told Abraham that he and his wife Sarah were going to have a son, yet Abraham was going to be 100 and Sarah 90 years old when this was to happen. They wondered how can this be, who has ever heard of such a thing?
Genesis 21:1-7 The Lord visited Sarah just as he had said he would and did for Sarah what he had promised. So Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him. Abraham named his son – whom Sarah bore to him – Isaac. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him just as God had commanded him to do. (Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.)
Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” She went on to say, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have given birth to a son for him in his old age!” (NET)
Man’s inability to understand how God can do something, places no limitation whatsoever on God’s ability to do it. If men (or women) were first required to be able to understand a concept before God could implement it, then God would be limited by men and this cannot be the case. We must accept God as our authority and in faith accept what He has commanded of us.
It is likely that we will never fully understand how Adam’s sin is passed to each of us; yet our lack of understanding does not change the fact that we enter this world as sinners. Nor does our lack of understanding or acceptance of our sinful state negate the consequences that we will face on judgment day.
It is likely that we will never fully understand how Jesus’ sacrifice was able to pay for the sins (past and future) of those who believe in God and accept their need for a Savior; yet our lack of understanding does not negate God’s calling, His grace, His awesome plan of salvation and His perfect will for our lives.
Is God calling you?
Have you found yourself thinking of God or of Jesus Christ recently?
Have you noticed a heightened sensitivity to right and wrong?
If you find yourself drawn to Him, Praise God! Seek Him while He may be found.
Till next time – May the Lord increase your faith and your understanding.
The NET Bible® is freely available at www.bible.org
