Theology By Circumstance

When something bad happens in our lives, it is common for people to ask, "Why me, God?  What did I do to deserve this?"  We wonder what terrible thing could we be guilty of to be punished in such a manner as this.  Not as common are those who ask, "Why am I so blessed?"  People are more likely to assume they should be blessed, but some have the humility to think they are not worthy.  In either case, they are stepping into muddy waters indeed.

When we start basing our theology (understanding of God) by our circumstances, we put ourselves in the position of judging both God's involvement and his intentions.  And, we are not in a position to judge either for “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa 55:9).

Jesus' early followers failed at this point as well: "His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind" (Jn 9:2)?  They were trying to work out their theology by circumstance but they were completely off base. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (v. 3).

Jesus corrected their thinking but still did not tell them how or why or what God had in mind specifically.  In turn, we can know that "in all things God works to the good of those that love the Lord" (Rom  8:28) but that doesn't mean we will understand precisely the what or how or why.

The point is, rather than attempt to work out your theology in conjunction with your circumstances, we ought to work through our circumstances in conjunction with our theology.  In other words: "Live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).  Rest in God's promises instead of wrest with your circumstances.

The theology of God is found in His Word not in our circumstances.  We live in a fallen world of death and decay from which God has offered redemption of the highest cost and quality: "For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn 3:16).  That is the theology of God - he loves you!  Jus' Say'n.