I am listening to the Podcasts of William Lain Craig called Reasonable Faith. He is a philosopher who spends part of his time debating on college campuses. One of the themes he has deals with the big questions of life that are at the center of philosophy: What is the purpose of life? Where did we come from? Where are we going? What is the meaning of good? He does not approach them from the scientific point of view but from the philosophical.
To the believer one of the big questions would be, “What does God expect of us?” Sometimes this gets sidetracked into a sectarian disagreement over the relationship of works and grace. While that discussion has a place it really begs the issue of “The Big Questions.” Even people who believe at the extreme of predestination and eternal security talk about spiritual growth and the walk of faith.
So what does God expect of us on a daily basis? The answer is, only what we are capable of doing. Can we save ourselves? No. Everyone agrees on that. Can we deserve salvation? No. Everyone agrees on that. Are there things we can do to respond to the expectations of God? Here you might differ from me but I believe the answer is, “Yes.”
If I am right, that means it is our responsibility to do so. If I am wrong them large passages of the Bible become just window dressing and empty verbiage. God expects us to walk in holiness and uprightness, not because it is impossible but because through His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do so. We might disagree on what that means but I hope we can agree that it is expected.
Why do people who believe in predestination and irresistible grace evangelize? To them it is no mystery. The simple answer is, “Because God said so.” At times that is the only answer I can give so I can’t criticize it. To me it is not a mystery either, for the same reason. Because we are told to. It is called evangelism. Why do we avoid sin? Same answer. Why do we study, witness, tithe, comfort, rebuke and so much more? Same answer.
What does God expect of you? The same He expects of me. He expects the best that I can give. Give it, wherever you are walking and whatever your theology.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.