I think it is clear to us all, that some things in scripture are hard, if not impossible, to fully understand. God reveals his will and his truth to us through the Holy Spirit, but there are some things he keeps just to himself. He reveals to us what we need to know in order to do his will and thus glorify him. It is my opinion that some of the “things that are hard to understand” are written to give us a greater appreciation and love for God, but not necessarily meant to be fully comrehended. The mystery confirms that he is sovereign and His ways are truly higher than ours. That being said I think we must take great caution when dealing with certain texts, being careful that we interpret scripture by scripture. We should not deny the truth of one scripture or another simply because we do not understand it completely or how the two are reconciled to one another. If the word of God says it then it is true.
One troubling part of all of this is that we have defined God in our own terms and thus limited him, at least in our minds, to being on one side or the other. The terms reformed and Arminian and the ideas associated with them cannot possibly do justice to the Lord of Lords, he is above all. I believe doctrine is a good thing and is especially important to us when it comes to knowing which is a Christian belief and which is not. There are many false teachers who talk as if they are Christians and yet are simply here to deceive us. Doctrine helps us to identify these false prophets. However, I think that on this issue doctrine has done far more harm then good. The moment one says, “I am reformed,” or “I am an arminianist.” there seems to be an instant division. We might begin to wonder about the other person, “How could they be saved and think that way?” This is why I personally, do not like these labels.
I am not so sure why we have let this issue divide us so much or why we have ignored the teachings on how to treat one another in order to prove we are right. It seems to me that people on both sides of the issue have lost sight of what is really important, loving one another. We must remember that the person we are talking to or about is a Child of God, our brother or sister in Christ. It seems to me that those who are reformed simply want to remind us of the sovereignty of God. They have looked back at their lives and seen how God has been there in every moment and have found this to be encouraging and want others to know the comfort that God has afforded them. While those who arminianists want to remind us of the love of God. They have looked back at their lives and seen how God has loved them so and want us to know the love of God that they have known. People on each side desire to honor and glorify the Lord.
When we are discussing these mysteries of God we should remember Romans 14 and part of 15. Remember the verse that says, “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Rom14:10) And, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” (Rom 14:13) And the verses that say, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.” (Rom 14:19-20) And, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” (Rom 14:22) I think that these verses are very helpful and applicable to this issue. It is hard for people to accept the reformed doctrine because it seems to contradict the love of God, and so if you are reformed you should remember this and not do anything that might cause people to love God any less. And if you are not reformed you should remember that those who are, find free will to be troubling and discouraging, and should not do anything that might cause them to trust God less. Now, “may the God who gives endurance and encouragement give [us] the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice [we] may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 15:5-6)