Who, not What
For I am determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified 1 Corinthians 2:2
Nothing – It’s difficult to shift from a life based on God’s benevolence to one based on God’s character, but the transition is necessary and inevitable. Why is it necessary? Because life in this fallen realm is filled with exceptional challenges to a faith that relies solely on what God does. Every day we are confronted with circumstances that seem to deny God’s sovereign control. There are times when God appears to be an absentee landlord, unconcerned with the trials of His children. If our faith is based only on God’s benevolence, we will soon run aground, unable to answer the question, “If God is good, why is there so much evil in my world?” That’s why faith is not trust in what God does, but in Who God is. Faith is undaunted in the face of catastrophe and calamity because it is my decision to act on the basis of what I know of God’s character, not on the basis of what I hope God will do. If I truly have faith, I am ready to know nothing except Jesus crucified.
Why is this progression from benevolence to character inevitable? Because God is most glorified when I love Him for Who He is, not what He does. With that in mind, it is God’s purpose that I be restored to the intended image bearer, one who exemplifies God’s character. We should have known this. After all, we have Jesus as our model. His life was not based on what God could do for Him. It was based on what He could do to glorify Who God is. Jesus went to the cross because sacrificial love and undeserved mercy are character qualities of the Father. Yes, Jesus’ obedience means that we are reconciled with God, but it was the glorification of God’s character that took Jesus to the cross. All the rest is a wonderful by-product. For this reason, Christian theology does not use the word “appease” as a synonym for forgiveness. Jesus did not appease God with sacrifice. No sacrifice ever appeased God. “Appease” carries the implication that God is angry at men and His wrath must be turned away through some action. God is absolutely not angry. He loves what He created. So, Christian theology uses the term “expiate” when it comes to forgiveness. To expiate is to remove, to erase. Reconciliation with God is not accomplished because you and I (or even Jesus) performed certain required acts. Reconciliation is accomplished because God is good. He is the one doing the reconciling, not us. He acts from His character on our behalf.
This has an enormous implication in our daily lives. We cannot, and do not, earn God’s favor. God demonstrates His character in actions designed to earn our trust. The purpose of the plan of redemption is to clear the way for us to place our trust in Him, to remove all the obstacles of pride, self-concern, fear and ego that block us from acknowledging His goodness. In other words, your actions don’t do anything to change God’s mind about His commitment to redemption – yours or anyone else’s. Therefore, once forgiven, your actions should display thanksgiving for what God has already done as a result of Who He is. If you worship and serve for any other reason, your faith needs weaning.
Paul says he determines to know nothing (ou ti – “not anything”) except Jesus – and more specifically – Jesus crucified. Knowing only that is enough to demonstrate Who God is. Is it enough for you?
