My thoughts are not your thoughts

What do we really know about the Creator of all things and the LORD of lords? There are really outstanding Christian books which sometimes give us an entire new understanding of God and the Bible. And there are Christians who we admire and appreciate especially as they have such a rich life in service and its edification which they share with us. We can profit gratefully from such people and also grow in our spiritual understanding. But we should also not (to express it graphically) live from the preserves and miss out on any self-initiative. Every person also represents himself. And every Christian goes his own way with God. Even the rather inconspicuous and weak Christians have the Holy Spirit and their gifts. It is no other Spirit than the One who speaks through people, books and sermons, who we have known and honoured for many years. These people have, through diligence and discipline, through faithful obedience, through their God-driven zeal, attained their position. If they have nevertheless remained humble and modest, we are dealing with blessed brothers and sisters. Whomever only has the appearance of piety and thus comes to prominence, will have to bear his judgement (Colossians 2:23). We must avoid such people. But even the righteous are, despite their great knowledge, only piecemeal teachers. Very valuable and quite profound fractions of the truth, nevertheless only fractions. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” Faith is not a means of grasping God and His eternal will with absolute precision, but a hope and a belief in that which we cannot see and, according to the Bible, can only know in part. Certainly, God's Spirit has no limits, however, are we as spiritual children so close to God in absolutely everything we do?

The great picture remains (at least for the time being) reserved for God alone. Certainly for good reason. Jesus told His disciples once that He still has many things to tell us, but we could not (yet) comprehend them (John 16:12). And I believe that even eternity is not sufficient to comprehend and understand everything about God in His essence and work. It is however not unsatisfactory or regrettable, but awesome, impressive and a wonderful blessing. In heaven, God will not conceal anything from His children – rather, on the contrary! We don't know everything, which is made clear through the text in 1 Corinthians 2:7-9 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, (Isaiah 64:3) eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” Such a thing as predestination remains incomprehensible and inexplicable, regardless of how spiritual a christian is. A well-known brother and author once said: “One cannot comprehend eternity”. In like manner, as a human and Christian, one cannot truly explain nor comprehend “evil” and the existence of the devil. But the day will come (perhaps quicker than we think), when Christians will come to faith through seeing and many (all) questions will be answered (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we one day see Jesus Christ in His divine glory, His grace and love, from face to face (1 John 3:2), we will most likely no longer have any questions. Amen.

Jörg Bauer