I can't leave the very important fourth and fifth chapters of Romans without stressing once more the very basic concepts, in our relationship with our Creator, which are woven in these, sometimes obscure, words. At the end of chapter four, are these words: "...the words 'it was credited to him for righteousness' were written not for him alone, but also for us...". Much of the doubt and lack of faith, on the part of men, is because they find it difficult to conceive of a God, who could create the universe, but would also bother to have a relationship with insignificant man.
Last week, one of my correspondents brought up a subject that I have had suggested to me many times over the years, both in university settings, and in the church. The question is, "Do you believe there is life on other bodies in the far reaches of space?" As is usually the case, the question was followed by some statement to the effect that, "There is so much space out there, and it is so big that it seems arrogant for man to think that he is the only life-form in such a vast universe."
My answer to this has always been the same. To you and me, the universe is vast, but to God, who created it, space has no meaning...bigness and complexity are facets of our limited minds. There are no such ideas in the infinite mind. I read, in the only revelation we have of the mind of God, that He loved the world (i.e.-man) so much, that He sent His "Only begotten Son" to earth, to die, so that He could reconcile that insignificant man to Himself. If the only Son was sent here, that doesn't leave anyone to send to some other world. I am not saying God could not do anything He wanted to do. However, from what He has revealed of Himself, and His purposes, to us, it does not seem likely that there are other creatures, in other places, needing His attention. The Bible says we were created in God's image. Therefore, I don't think it is arrogant at all to feel that we are special in His sight.
Now back to our verse: God credited Abraham's faith to him for righteousness, but He also credits our faith to us for righteousness. Why? Because, as incredible as it might seem to our human mind, God wishes to establish a permanent
relationship with us. This cannot be, unless we are sinless. Why? Just look around you at the world, and what it has become in the hands of men. It is a place of war, injustice, oppression and misery. This is what
happens when men run the world. God's world, if we can use that term, has to be a place in which only His will prevails. This is not because He is a tyrant, or an egotist. It is because that is the only way the heavenly realm can be perfect. When Adam and Eve rejected
God's way, as the only way, they had to be ejected. That is what sin is...a rejecting of the perfect will of God.
Now we know that man can never behave perfectly. Therefore, his behavior can never be the basis of a relationship with the perfect God. So, God offered us a relationship based on our faith in Him...our trust in His love...our humble realization that His is the only righteousness. If this attitude is the guiding principle of your life, then He offers forgiveness for your human failures, and a continued relationship with Him, in spite of your oft-repeated sins. He did this for Abraham, in spite of Abraham's many failures and sins. He did this for David, in spite of his obvious bad behavioral mistakes. And, Paul says, He will do it for all who will accept His offer of forgiveness, through the sacrifice of His Son. I admit that I do not understand all about the necessity for that sacrifice, but then, I will never, in this life, understand the mind of
God. The older I get, the more I want a God I don't understand. If He were not greater than I can understand, He surely could not run my world, much less His.
In conclusion: If the sacrifice of one man, twenty centuries ago, seems too insignificant and simplistic to you, as a way for the Creator to reconcile His creatures to Himself, just how complex a system do you think we could handle, were God to make it big enough to impress us? No. I think He made the story simple, for our minds are unable to grasp the infinite things of God. I think He had to lead us, as the good and kind teacher leads kindergarten children, because we could handle nothing more wonderful than this. So when I wish for something more grandiose, in my religious experience, and wish God would parade some great miracle before us, I stop and think how really simple I am, and I thank Him that He is an understanding Father, and strive anew to dependently climb up into His lap by faith, and be the child He wants me to be.
(In our next paper we will look further into the complex problem of man's alienation from God, and God's solution, made simple enough for man to follow.)
