GOD’S GREAT PLAN OF HISTORY

ROMANS 11:33–36

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

(Romans 11:33).

In response to the “heavy” and magnificent revelation of God that he has been discussing, Paul breaks into praise. Paul emphasizes that God’s ways are amazing, and that they could not be figured out except by revelation. Here again we find evidence that it is not just the adding up of believers that is in view in Romans 11, for that is not a remarkable and mysterious doctrine. Rather, it is this marvellous historical interplay between ethnic Jew and Gentile that shows that God’s paths are beyond tracing out.

The Plan of God

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (v. 36). Behind all these machinations of human history stands the sovereign, electing God. “From Him”: He is the creator of everyone and of all things. “Through Him”: All things exist by His activity and through His power. “To Him”: Not only that, but all things exist for Him, for His glory. History, including the historical interplay of Jew and Gentile, takes its rise from God’s plan, exists only by means of God’s plan, and ultimately is for the purpose of glorifying God and leading all creation back to Him.

There will be a general conversion of the Jews. This general conversion of the Jews in some way will be a follow-up of the conversion of the Gentiles. It will be attended with tremendous results for the rest of the world. It will come after the “fulness” of the Gentiles comes in; that is, after multitudes of Gentiles have been converted.

We don’t know if this will happen gradually or rapidly. We don’t know whether or not the nation of Israel today is part of this scenario or not. We don’t know if Jesus is coming soon or not. We do know, however, that we are to watch and pray, because every day that passes brings closer the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Bible, including Romans 11.

CORAM DEO

Realizing that God is working out a plan of history should make us “worldly” in a proper way. Are you concerned about your world? Do you follow the news’? Do you pray about international events? If not, start doing so. Take an active interest in how God is working out His amazing plan.

For further study: 1 Chronicles 16:8–16; Ephesians 3:14–21

TABLETALK

from ligonier ministries and teaching and encouraging believers • october 1989

OVERCOMING SEXUAL GUILT

Daily Studies From The Teaching Fellowship Of R. C. Sproul

publisher Ligonier Ministries executive editor Ralph D. Veerman editor Robert F. Ingram creative services Michael S. Beates; David K. Freeland

marketing/production W. David Fox; Melissa Prichard; Gretchen Suskovic

circulation Gwen Weber writer Sharon Anderson

LIGONIER MINISTRIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bruce Fogerty

G. Richard Hostetter

Robert C. Legler

Stephen H. Levee, Jr.

C. G. Mills

Archie B. Parrish

Jim Seneff

R. C. Sproul

John Thompson

Ralph Veerman

Luder Whitlock

Charles Colson

(director emeritus)

Published by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc. under license granted by Ligonier Ministries, Inc. Copyright 1989, Ligonier Ministries, Inc. This Bible study is based upon teaching material by Dr. R. C. Sproul. Unless noted, all Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishers.

member evangelical press association

on the cover: “Love Without Condemnation,” by Dallas Anderson. (A sculpture of the woman caught in adultery from John 8.) Courtesy of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Cover and inside photos by Stephen Trobaugh.

robert ingram • editor

Coram Deo

“I’ve been struggling with my guilt for more than a decade. I feel as though I am in prison. Please help me.”

This response from our May 1989 surveys on guilt echoes the heartfelt cry of many Christians. As I wrote in my column in August Tabletalk, Ligonier was overwhelmed with the response to a guilt survey that was sent to 1,000 randomly selected Tabletalk readers. Within several weeks, nearly 550 were returned. We are very grateful to Dr. Larry Crabb for his kind willingness to read many of these surveys and to share his wise perspective in the interview featured in this issue. Due to space limitations, we were only able to print a small portion of that interview. To obtain a complete transcript of his comments and counseling insights, please see the enclosed order form.

Perhaps one of the most revealing aspects of the survey results has to do with the additional comments to several open-ended questions. A strong majority of men wrote extensive answers, which tended to be more revealing, intimate, and sex-related. Some were desperate cries for help and forgiveness.

Surprisingly, few of the women responded in this manner. Their answers were shorter and far less emotional.

I am not a counselor by any means, but I might venture a guess as to why this phenomenon occurred. People have a deep psychological and spiritual need to unload their burdens, but unfortunately, our present culture and church do not encourage this on the part of men. In this case, a piece of paper had to suffice as a surrogate for the healing, caring role of another person. It is more likely that among women there are caring relationships that encourage sharing, forgiveness, and intimacy.

Whatever the analysis, the fact remains that many people suffer from deep wounds and unresolved guilt. If this is true with you, it is our prayer that Dr. Crabb’s insights, along with the other articles, will initiate a healing process on your part. We encourage you to seek the freedom that forgiveness brings through prayer, interaction with your pastor and other trusted Christian friends, and if necessary, a trained biblical counselor. ■

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