We are always in a position of response to God. This is one of the most important theological truths. It is a vital perspective lest we be constantly doing things to try to evoke a response from God. Everything we do is in response to what God has initiated in us. This is underlined by Paul here when he tells us that, even before the creation of the world, God predestined us to walk the path we are now walking. Such an idea is a real mind twister and has vexed many people who have tried to fit this into a neat theological system. Many people have even rejected the idea because it causes too many logical paradoxes. But God transcends space and time and therefore his ways will not always seem rationally coherent. This doesn’t mean that God’s ways are irrational. No, it is entirely rational that the God, who is beyond space and time, will not always seem to obey the laws of logic. The Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal said: “Reason’s last step is the recognition that there are an infinite number of things which are beyond it.” So, reason demands, when we are speaking about God, we should not put logical limits on what he can do. We are indeed responsible for the choices we make. If we don’t choose God, then we will miss his blessings. However, we are also told that we only choose him because he first revealed himself to us. The Bible tells us this to put us in our place. And that place is the most wonderful place to be: in the position of response.
What is God doing and saying to you now and how do you need to respond to him.
Read Ephesians 1:1-14 again and reflect on Acts 13:48
