So... What's God's take on this?
Where does God stand on this? It's a question we tend to ask on a myriad of subjects. But unfortunately it's a question whose premise may be faulty. Here's a question that should precede (or possibly replace) it: "Why do I believe God should have a particular stance on this issue"?
Isaiah 55:8-9:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
So regardless of the issue, and regardless of your stance on said issue it's more than likely you and God do not view it the exact same way. He's so big and so much higher it's possible for him to be both and neither at the same time. All of the "Omni's" speak to that. A being that is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (everywhere) does not need to have a particular view on the matter of the day that we're squabbling about. We cannot be so ignorant and arrogant as to bring God down to our plane of existence. Whenever he has graced our plane it has been by choice, God's choice.
And this isn't just a mistake we make in modern times. You can see this habit all throughout Scripture, I want to point out a couple, one in the old Testament and in the new:
Joshua 5:13-15
“…When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him holding a drawn sword. Joshua approached him and asked him, “Are you on our side or with our enemies?” He answered, “[Neither] Truly I am the commander of the LORD’s army. Now I have arrived!” Joshua bowed down with his face to the ground and asked, “What does my master want to say to his servant?” The commander of the LORD’s army answered Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.”
John 8:1-10
“…The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied [to them], “Whoever among you is sinless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, beginning with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him…”
A similar theme in both of those accounts? (the bold and highlights are me by the way) Human beings who thought they were right approaching truly righteous God to be proven they were not as correct as they thought. When right meets righteous it is quickly displaced. No matter the issue. Even Joshua’s belief in taking Jericho as well as the Jews understanding of the law, both must submit to righteousness of God.
See no matter the issue, and yes some issues are serious, our point of view can still differ from that of God. This is not to minimize any matter that people may deal with. From race, to abortion, to sexuality, to money, to even war we cannot begin with 'what does God think about this'? We have to start with what is God thinking about, is it this? ‘And if not then what is it’? ‘God direct me to focus on what is on your mind’. (1) Rather than trying and bring him down, we have to allow him to bring us up.
Proverbs 25:6-7
“…Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or stand in the place of important people, because it is better that he says to you, “Come up here,” than to be demoted before a ruler…”
This seems to be the source of many of the fruitless ‘the bible contradicts itself’ discussions. Because our finite minds cannot fathom that in one instance God’s position is this and in another it’s ‘that’. But these are things we do all the time and make nothing of it. When I am at home and address my children regarding the way they treat one another, I am displaying my heart for them as a father. However, when the CEO of the company I work for is addressing the employees, unless specifically directed by The Spirit, I do not intervene to bring correction. Does that mean I don’t care about my co-workers? Of course not, but I don’t have authority or jurisdiction in the matter and my actions could cost my job. To the immature this could seem hypocritical, but to those with understanding we know there are times we have to ‘give to Caesar’. (2)
So what is a conclusion we can draw from this, God is big enough to not be boxed into a ‘this or that’. He is simultaneous neither and both. He’s conservative but liberal, He’s modern and old fashioned, powerful yet gentle, and on and on and on.
It’s hard for us to process, I’m even pondering as I write this (I’m even open to further modifying my position as additional insight is gained), but the ‘immenseness’ of God’s presence, may overshadow a ‘which side is He on’ discussion. He is all in all (3), so He may be conservative regarding sexuality while simultaneously being liberal regarding mercy. His power can bring kings to their knees and his gentleness can sooth new born babies.
We have to continue to live right? And things are going to continue to take place, but that’s beside the point. Rather than focus on the issues or the rules, we should be more purposeful about seeking the perspective of the ‘ruler’.
Revelation 4:1
“…Come up here so that I can show you what must happen…”
Aj
Footnotes:
1. Philippians 2:5-6 – “…Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God…”
2. Matthew 22:21 – “…And He said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”
3. Ephesians 1:22-23 – “…And [God] put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”