Throughout this year we have been taking classes at Fellowship and the last one was called "Survey of Theology". Pretty much we covered major topics of the Christian faith and took short looks at each of them. At the end of the class, we had to write a paper about a theological topic or issue we wanted to research deeply and draw conclusions about what it means for us. Below is the paper I wrote. Mostly it sums up a lot of what is going on in my life right now as my internship year comes to an end and I begin moving forward. I have never before faced this season of my life, and I know it's not the last time, but I love the fact that I can rest assured in the God who walks not only beside me, but in front of me.
Survey of Theology- Theological Project
Knowing the God who is before
As this class ends, I find myself on the end of the residency program this year. Two days away from everything I have come to know is coming to a close and changing. Up until this point in my life, I have always had a plan, knowledge of the “next step” or at minimal a “to-do” list for the day. I like order, organization and initiating so I can guarantee things to happen. Some people find change, new or uncertainty exciting, thrilling and fun; however, I happen to not be one of those people. So with the reality of no plan in front of me, I must choose how to believe, respond and live. Throughout this year, whether in study, church, circumstance, or conversations, I have been taught that God is before all things.[1] Now, I realize I must stand and claim this truth amidst every circumstance, question of the future, decision, etc. That’s why I am choosing to understand and research the theological issue of God being before me.
In order to do this, I first have to understand, at least in some capacity the character and nature of God. One incommunicable attribute of God is His unchangeableness. Wayne Grudem describes this characteristic as, “God being unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.”[2] Multiple times in scripture God is described as being unchanging, the same, in His being, purposes, and promises.[3] Believing this truth of God brings great comfort in times of uncertainty when it is paired with the truth of scripture, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”[4] God is unchanging in His purposes, which include His purposes for me. Which leads me to believe and see that God is before me, using everything to accomplish His purposes of His glory and my good. The importance of this truth allows me to trust God despite circumstances, change or anything else. My faith and hope and knowledge of God depend on His infinite worth of my trust, and because He never changes, then I know that before each step I take, decision I make, or future situation, God already goes there.
Another attribute of God, which is communicable, that helps in the understanding of God being before me is His knowledge, or omniscience. This can be described as God fully knowing Himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.[5] Going further, this would be that God has known all things that would happen and all things that He would do forever. Nothing was before God, He created, He was, no beginning; so He has always been before, always been all knowing and always will be.[6] He initiated creation, He initiated redemption and He continues to initiate as I walk with Him through life. [7] Because He knew, He initiated so I was able to then respond. Responding in faith to the gospel, responding in obedience to the Spirit and continuing to respond as He leads me in His purposes and plans. Although they are not always clear in my human perspective, my faith stands on His knowledge and not my own.[8] He is before me, His knowledge (in full) before mine, and so I walk in faith trusting in His knowledge and purposes that He reveals in scripture.
As I study and see these characteristics of God, I also see in scripture many examples of God claiming to go before His people or a declaration of that truth.[9] These examples show us the nature of God’s character and the promises to all who believe. It’s His character and His promises that I am able to take courage in as I pursue Him for the future. Even if I have no tangible plan at this point in time, I believe and hold fast to the truth of His character that He is already going there, preparing a way and will be a light to my feet.[10]
Alongside of the promise, there comes a command. In Psalm 16:8 David states, “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” David chooses to set the Lord before Him. David gives God the rightful spot that He is due; puts Him where He already claims to be. Jesus also commands something similar in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…” Before everything, He says, seek God and His Kingdom. As a Christian, I am called to not only rely on the character and promises of God but to seek the Lord, who is before me, and set Him to have Lordship over every part of my life.
Interesting that as we look at Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things,” if we go one verse back, Colossians 1:16 states, “all things were created through him and for him.” This puts into perspective why anything and everything happens in existence, including that in my life. With a plan, without a plan, moving forward or waiting, wherever I find myself, it is for Christ. All of it exists for Christ and to make His glories known.[11] His glory is the purpose of all things, and so now as I find myself in a position of uncertainty, I recognize it is for the glory of Christ. His character, attributes, promises and commands all are a part of His glory, which I am able to take part in as I seek Him, where He is, before all things.
[1] Colossians 1:17
[2] Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings to the Christian Faith. Wayne Grudem. Page 73
[3] Psalm 102:27, Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6
[4] Romans 8:28
[5] see note 2, Page 88
[6] Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3
[7] John 6:44
[8] Isaiah 55:9
[9] Deuteronomy 1:30, Psalm 59:10, Isaiah 52:12
[10] Psalm 119: 105
[11] John Piper Sermon: All things were created through him and for him.
Blessings!!!
I pray you know the God who is before you.
