Why Does God ...?

I was listening to my local Christian radio talk show the other day. The host asked this question: "On what basis does God do good things for people?" Now, I didn't have a problem answering it myself, but I was stunned at the answers that the host and the callers offered. Most were in agreement, "We cannot know." One said, "God isn't limited to being the God of the Bible. Our prayers change His mind. He waits to see what we ask or do and then acts." Another offered that God doesn't always accomplish His will. I was completely baffled. Where does this stuff come from?

In response to the question, I think there is one answer. Now, keep in mind, people have often accused me of being too simplistic. A friend asked me recently, "What do you think caused this economic crisis?" I replied, "People are sinful and self-centered." Too simplistic, I know. But I do think that it is accurate and, in fact, fundamental. So, keeping in mind that I can be simplistic, I still think I have a valid, singular answer.

Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart? "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host" (Exo 14:4). What was of key interest to John about Jesus coming to Earth? "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Why did Jesus turn water to wine? "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory" (John 2:11). When they told Jesus that Lazarus was sick, why did He delay? "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). What does Paul see as one of the baseline errors that humans make? "Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Rom 1:22-23). (Wait ... I think I see a trend ...)

God does what He does for one underlying reason: His glory. Paul says, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever" (Rom 11:36). We are commanded "do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31). When we read through Ephesians 1:3-14, we are treated to a list of the "heavenly blessings" that we are already given in Christ. It is amazing how many times the reason is offered "to the praise of His glory".

Here, try this. Simplify the question. What is the one, really good thing that God does for people? He saves them. On what basis does He do that? We already know that it isn't on the basis of their good works. We also know that, while faith is involved, faith is a gift. So it would seem fundamentally clear that God does the ultimate good for people not on the basis of the people for whom He does it, but for reasons outside of those people. Paul says, "For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God" (2 Cor 4:15). Peter says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). The reason God saves people is "the glory of God".

I define "good" from God's perspective as this: Anything done by God for God. "Wait, wait! That excludes us!" Well, yes and no. Paul commands us to "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). So when we do good, it is because God gave us the will and ability. Therefore, it was done by God. And since we are commanded to "do all for the glory of God", then it would be done FOR God. Now, if "good" from God's perspective is defined as I defined it and God is good, then God would need to do things Himself for Himself -- for His own glory.

Now, "for God's glory" will look different in different situations. How things work to His glory will vary. We can see this in a single passage as an example. "What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory" (Rom 9:22-23). Note that there are TWO things going on here. On one hand it is God's will to show His wrath and make known His power by punishing "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction". That, then, is to His glory to do so. On the other hand, those who instead receive mercy do so for His glory. In other words, both in judgment and in mercy, both in wrath and in grace, God is glorified. So He does both.

We don't always see how God is glorified. We suffer from our own foolishness, our exchange of God's glory for created things. But I don't think there is any question. Whatever God does, He does for His glory. When He does "nice things" to people, regardless of whether we see it as a "good investment", it will be for His glory. When He does difficult things to people, regardless of whether we see results, it will be for His glory. It is a given. If we START from that point (God and His glory), it seems to shift all sorts of things. For instance, if everything that God does is for His glory, then to those who love God, all things work together for good ... don't they?