A Peek Behind the Curtain
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”—Philippians 2:12-13
Which is it: do I choose God or does God choose me? If God chooses me, then where is my will? And if it is I choosing God, is my act of trust a violation of God’s sovereignty? These are the questions that theologians have debated for centuries and this Toolshed isn’t going to resolve it any time soon. But, it may help us understand how God works and how we work side by side.
There is a play entitled, “Noises Off.” And it is a play within a play, a comedic farce to be precise. The first act of the play shows the last rehearsal the night before the premiere of what is to be a ten-week run of the show. The fictional audience is allowed to see the cast running through the show, hitting their lines, and making their entrances.
It’s even more amazing in the second act, which is set at a Wednesday matinee a month later. But this time, the entire set is flipped, so rather than see the play from the fictional audience’s point of view, we are able to see it from the cast’s. We see what’s going on behind the scenes, the actor’s preparing themselves to go out on stage, all the while the play continues to go on to the fictional audience.
The third act is from the fictional audience’s point of view again, at the end of their ten week run as the cast, as hilarity ensues between characters as tensions increased among cast members and everyone simply wants to be done with the play.
The reason I have devoted so much attention to the play is because it, in a very miniscule way, demonstrates the tension that we experience between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. As far as we know, we are participants on the stage of life, living our lives, trying to do what is right in the sight of God. But that is from our perspective. The first act is us “working out” our salvation. But, the second act is where we are given a glimpse behind the set, seeing what is going on behind the curtain. God, through His word, shows us that He is the one “working” in us. But, we can’t live behind the curtain, we must continue to go out on stage. And through His Word, we know that He is the one behind the entire thing. And like the third act, after learning what is behind the stage, we are able to step out on to the stage of life again, knowing that He is sovereignly directing the entire thing.
We can never pretend to know and understand how God’s sovereignty meshes completely with human responsibility. But God knows. He has shown us through His Word that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” while at the same time, resting in the fact that He is the one who is “working” in us.
As we try to hit our cues on the stage of life, we seek to please an audience of one. We know that He is the writer, director, and star of the show. We are the supporting cast. We are simply thankful that He has invited us to play a part and long for the day when we no longer have to switch between sets, but will have the clouds pulled back as a curtain, when God will take the stage and all creation will bow in humble adoration, as the righteous will inherit eternal life and the wicked will endure eternal punishment.
We can never pretend to know and understand how God’s sovereignty meshes completely with human responsibility. But God knows. He has shown us through His Word that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” while at the same time, resting in the fact that He is the one who is “working” in us. Join with me in praising our King who has died our death, and enabled us by faith in Him to partake of His resurrection life! Amen.
Which is it: do I choose God or does God choose me? If God chooses me, then where is my will? And if it is I choosing God, is my act of trust a violation of God’s sovereignty? These are the questions that theologians have debated for centuries and this Toolshed isn’t going to resolve it any time soon. But, it may help us understand how God works and how we work side by side.
There is a play entitled, “Noises Off.” And it is a play within a play, a comedic farce to be precise. The first act of the play shows the last rehearsal the night before the premiere of what is to be a ten-week run of the show. The fictional audience is allowed to see the cast running through the show, hitting their lines, and making their entrances.
It’s even more amazing in the second act, which is set at a Wednesday matinee a month later. But this time, the entire set is flipped, so rather than see the play from the fictional audience’s point of view, we are able to see it from the cast’s. We see what’s going on behind the scenes, the actor’s preparing themselves to go out on stage, all the while the play continues to go on to the fictional audience.
The third act is from the fictional audience’s point of view again, at the end of their ten week run as the cast, as hilarity ensues between characters as tensions increased among cast members and everyone simply wants to be done with the play.
The reason I have devoted so much attention to the play is because it, in a very miniscule way, demonstrates the tension that we experience between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. As far as we know, we are participants on the stage of life, living our lives, trying to do what is right in the sight of God. But that is from our perspective. The first act is us “working out” our salvation. But, the second act is where we are given a glimpse behind the set, seeing what is going on behind the curtain. God, through His word, shows us that He is the one “working” in us. But, we can’t live behind the curtain, we must continue to go out on stage. And through His Word, we know that He is the one behind the entire thing. And like the third act, after learning what is behind the stage, we are able to step out on to the stage of life again, knowing that He is sovereignly directing the entire thing.
We can never pretend to know and understand how God’s sovereignty meshes completely with human responsibility. But God knows. He has shown us through His Word that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” while at the same time, resting in the fact that He is the one who is “working” in us.
As we try to hit our cues on the stage of life, we seek to please an audience of one. We know that He is the writer, director, and star of the show. We are the supporting cast. We are simply thankful that He has invited us to play a part and long for the day when we no longer have to switch between sets, but will have the clouds pulled back as a curtain, when God will take the stage and all creation will bow in humble adoration, as the righteous will inherit eternal life and the wicked will endure eternal punishment.
We can never pretend to know and understand how God’s sovereignty meshes completely with human responsibility. But God knows. He has shown us through His Word that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” while at the same time, resting in the fact that He is the one who is “working” in us. Join with me in praising our King who has died our death, and enabled us by faith in Him to partake of His resurrection life! Amen.
God alone initiates salvation. He always turns toward man first and seeks him, as when God walked in the Garden (Genesis 3:8). Man does not seek God or turn to him without God first calling man to Himself (John. 6:37, 44; 1 John. 4:10,19).
ReplyDeleteSecond, God’s initiative does not exclude man’s free response, but demands it (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], nos. 154, 155, 2002; Philippians 2:12, 13). In other words, God wills that man be free to choose His grace or reject it.
Third, salvation is extended to each and every human person, not limited to just some, and one can fall away from grace (Hebrews 2:1-4; 6:4; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:9; 1 John 5:16, 17).
Furthermore, it is imperative that once one is touched by grace, he perseveres in charity lest he forfeit the free gift of salvation (Lumen Gentium [LG], no. 14). Within the confines of these principles, Catholics have sought to understand the mystery of predestination.
Though opinions and formulations have varied among Catholic theologians, with these principles left intact, there is room for legitimate speculation.
The only proper framework to understand predestination must be rooted in the notion of a communion of persons in love. Why? The nature of God as Trinity is this very kind of communion and God created man to share in that “blessed life” (cf. Catechism, no. 1).