Let me begin this concluding Blog on the subject of God’s “control,” or, as I believe better, sovereignty with a quote by Thomas F. Torrance from Divine and Contingent Order, © 1981 T. F. Torrance:
The cross of Christ tells us unmistakably that all physical evil, not only pain, suffering, disease, corruption, death, and of course cruelty and venom in animal as well as human behavior, but also ‘natural’ calamities, devastations, and monstrosities, are an outrage against the love of God and a contradiction of good order in his creation. This does not allow us to regard evil and disorder in the universe as in any way intended or as given a direct function by God in the development of his creation, although it does mean that even these enormities can be made by God’s incredible power to serve his final end for the created order, much as he has made the dastardly violence of men in crucifying Jesus to serve his healing purpose for mankind, without in any way justifying our human evil and guilt that brought Jesus to the cross.
This statement is indeed a mouthful and much to digest. First, it plainly acquits God of all responsibility for the bad things that happen in this world, stating that they are indeed an outrage against everything God stands for. More than anything, the crucifixion of the Son of God emphatically makes that point. Second, it admits that there is disorder in creation, and places the guilt squarely on the shoulders of human sin. Third, it explains that God, in his glorious almightiness, redeems these evils to the fulfillment of his good purpose and will. The erroneous statement, “God is in control” totally misses these truths.
Instead of being in control, God stands in his perfect will and insists that those who love him willingly agree with and obey so that his will is fulfilled in them. That is the meaning of the phrase, “Thy will be done.” It was Jesus himself, fully God and fully human, who perfectly expressed this agreement of wills as he was about to be arrested, tortured, and crucified. Matthew 26:36-44 captures the scene of this historic event:
“Sit here while I go over there and pray,” said Jesus, adding, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”… he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew adds that Jesus repeated this request two more times. Obviously, Jesus did not want to go through the ordeal that awaited him. In that, he was like every other human, having a strong will to live. Each time that he went to spend time with the Father in prayer, he contrasted his human will with God’s divine will, and ultimately he submitted his will to the Father’s.
The writer of Hebrews described Jesus’ triumphant accomplishment in Hebrews 5:7:
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
This obedience was the humble submission of his human will to God’s will. Thus, Jesus became the “pioneer” of perfect human submission by this act. It was not the intent of the Father, Son, and Spirit that Jesus would accomplish this in isolation. Hebrews 2:10 says, In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
Are we getting the picture? Jesus’ spiritual wrestling match of will in the Garden of Gethsemane led the way toward the ultimate perfect oneness between God and his people. Jesus did not simply win and afterward retire to heaven. There, as victor, he took on the role of High Priest who ministers to his followers so that they too become victorious. Hebrews 4:14-16 explains.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jesus experienced firsthand the conflict between human and divine will. He, having worn our shoes, understands our experiences and for that reason acts on our behalf. Through him, the portal to the Throne of Grace is always open to us. Transporting through that glorious portal, we approach the Father, Son, and Spirit in confidence that the help we need in our spiritual wrestling matches is fully available. With that help, and even more so, through the grace of God expressed in the blood of Jesus on our behalf we are empowered to win. Life becomes a growing practice of submission of our human wills. This is the essence of the Christian calling to walk with God (Romans 12:1-2).
Imagine a universe without the pain, suffering, disease, corruption, death, and of course cruelty and venom in animal as well as human behavior, but also ‘natural’ calamities, devastations, and monstrosities written of in the Torrance quote above. The result is peace.
Imagine a place and time in which people live in loving and willing compliance with God’s will, which is based on self-giving love. The result in each of them is utmost joy, and in their relationships perfect oneness. This is the reality that awaits us in the Kingdom of God. What an awesome and wonderful Father, Son, and Spirit, achieving in creation the ultimate goodness and gladness, not by forcing creation to conform but by winning that voluntary conformance! Such a God is so much more glorious than the so called “God in control.”