The End of Theology: One of the things that has always fascinated me about the close of Romans 11 is where Paul finally arrives. After wrestling with some of the deepest questions in all of Scripture – the sovereignty of God, election, Israel, unbelief, and the unsearchable ways of God – he does not conclude by saying that every mystery has been solved. Instead, he breaks forth in worship: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” The argument ends, not with man, but with God.
There is an important lesson in that. Romans 11 does not end with every question neatly answered. It ends with Paul overwhelmed by the glory of God. The mysteries remain, but they no longer occupy the center of his attention. His eyes have been lifted above them to the ONE whose wisdom is unsearchable and whose judgments are past finding out. Theology reaches its highest point, not when every question is resolved, but when it leads us to adore the God who is infinitely greater than our understanding. Job 42:1-6.
Paul then gives us the reason for his doxology: “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Those words place everything back into its proper perspective. God is not merely involved in history; He is its source, its sustainer, and its appointed end. Everything finds its origin in Him, exists by His power, and ultimately returns to His glory. We so often think of life beginning with ourselves – our questions, our struggles, our desires, and our understanding – but Paul reminds us that we are not the center of the story. God is. Revelation 4:11.
Scripture does the very same thing. It continually lifts our eyes above ourselves and directs them to God. As we come to know Him, we discover that His wisdom and His ways are far beyond our own. That is why biblical truth is meant to do more than inform us; it is meant to lead us into worship.
It is this simple truth that reshapes the way we think about thanksgiving and worship. It is certainly right to thank God for His many mercies. We should thank Him for our daily bread, for our families, for answered prayers, and above all for the unspeakable gift of His dear Son. II Corinthians 9:15. Yet if our worship rises no higher than gratitude for the blessings we receive, it has not yet reached its highest expression. Christian worship does not begin with what God has given us. It begins with who God is. We praise Him because He is worthy, even when His ways remain difficult for us to understand.
That distinction becomes especially important when the Lord brings us into seasons we would never have chosen for ourselves. If our praise rests primarily upon favorable circumstances, then our worship will inevitably rise and fall with them. But if it rests upon the unchanging character of God, it remains steadfast even when every earthly support seems to give way. Malachi 3:6.
Everything around us may change, but God does not. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18.
Paul expresses the same truth again in his letter to the Colossians: “For by him were all things created… all things were created by him, and for him.” Those last three words are among the most God-exalting in all of Scripture: “for him.” The universe is not ultimately about us. History is not ultimately about us. Redemption is not ultimately about us. The church is not ultimately about us. Even our worship is not ultimately about us. Everything exists for Him.
The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God…” It does not begin with man, his needs, or his questions. And when we reach the final page of Scripture, we are left with these words: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Between those two verses lies all of human history – every kingdom, every joy, every sorrow, every unanswered question, every triumph and every tear. Yet when the story is finished, our attention is directed not back to ourselves, but to God in Christ. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all. The Christian life does not begin with us, and it does not end with us. It begins with God, it is sustained by God, and it ends in His everlasting glory. MPJ