What does "infinite" mean really? It is such a grand but indistinct concept. Can we really harness it, focus it and put a value on it? And in contrast what is "finite" in the same context?
I believe an understanding of God's infinite nature in term of His will can be revealed to man as "wholeness" or "completion." Defined in this manner it may be connected to our worship of Him as glorious and holy -- picture of perfection. By the same token, if man is finite, he is fragmented and incomplete -- broken imperfection. (But of course!)
Yet it is in this incompleteness that man is seldom aware of (and often takes pride in) his own broken state -- unless actively contrasted with the perfect nature of God. Man is easily willing to accept incompleteness and be satisfied with much less then perfection when that realm is clearly out of his reach. Though man always desire perfection, we are conditioned to settle for (and more often to justify) low success rate in the investment of anything from money, time, to effort and even love, and heed the necessary wisdom of success as a numbers game where enough doors knocked or phone calls made will yield one paltry sale. Man's invention of risk-management is a good example of the finite condition of no guarantee.
However, if within reach of our confidence, there remains that inner drive to achieve more -- to gain perfection in whatever little circle one is in, be it acing the state bar exam or putting together a model airplane. This competitiveness reveals a little bit of God's nature (in a good way) in us.
With all that said, what is my point? Hearing many sermons and reading much Christian writings, I see a consistent and curious pattern of believers being satisfied (or at least complacent) with the idea that not all men will be saved. Although each will profess active outreach and mission to save as many people as they are able, the sheer and daunting impossibility of that task is realized in an almost fatalistic acceptance and so-be-it attitude among believers of all denominations, and seem more satisfied in the people saved rather than expressing urgent dissatisfaction for the yet unsaved outside the circle of family and friends.
It is an incompleteness or imperfection of salvation man is willing to accept because of his own limited outlook. The interesting thing is that they seem to also project this satisfaction/resignation to a God who is infinite, and even accord such reality to His will (that not all will be saved)! A believer readily accepts the contrast between man's finite nature against God's perfection to highlight sin and God's uncompromising stance against sin; yet in the same comparison he doesn't believe that neither God's perfection will compromise the salvation He had already set in motion since the beginning of time!
How do we think an infinite God actually feels about being boxed into man's narrow perspective? Of failing to save every man? If we think man is competitive, what is God's attitude about defeat? Does He not operate in the realm of wholeness and completion, and has the ability and drive to score 100% on every test? Even if not motivated by love will God allow any blemish on His record? All that loud preachings on the sovereignty of God, His power and majesty, glory and inviolable will...yet in the minds of the mouths that speak of such praise of an infinite God believe not a Father is willing or able to save every child of His. In such view salvation becomes a mere game of chance.
No, God doesn't operate in the realm of risk-management. Salvation is not a roulette game for Him, and He is dead serious about winning back every soul. It is the only acceptable outcome for an infinite God who operates in perfection. In our free will He allows finite nature of man in his separation from God, but in His own will to save man and bring him back the wholeness in God (not to mention love!) does not allow one to stray; and in His own time and measure no one wills to stay away.
As in the individual sanctification of each sinful man God's grace works in him to perfect him, so is the same grace His resolve to sanctify the fallen world to make it whole, such the world encompasses all souls in all of time. Not one will escape His grace, its logical progression and purpose of salvation -- the inevitable outcome in the infinite condition of divine guarantee. Amen
James
No comments:
Post a Comment