Resignation: Motives to God's Justice
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Resignation, in the context of Christian theology, refers to the acceptance of God's will and justice, even in circumstances that are difficult or beyond human understanding. This concept is deeply rooted in the belief that God's justice is perfect and His ways are higher than human ways. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that encourage believers to trust in God's justice and to resign themselves to His divine will.

Biblical Examples of Resignation to God's Justice

1. Job's Endurance: The account of Job is a profound example of resignation to God's justice. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, Job remains steadfast in his faith. He acknowledges God's sovereignty, saying, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's account illustrates the belief that God's justice is ultimately righteous, even when it is not immediately apparent.

2. Abraham's Faith: Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac is another testament to resignation to God's justice. Abraham trusted in God's promise and justice, believing that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary (Hebrews 11:19). His faith was counted to him as righteousness, demonstrating the importance of trusting in God's just nature.

3. Jesus' Submission: Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect resignation to God's justice in the Garden of Gethsemane. Facing imminent crucifixion, He prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Jesus' submission to the Father's will underscores the belief that God's justice and plan are ultimately for the greater good.

Motives for Resignation to God's Justice

1. God's Sovereignty: Believers are motivated to resign to God's justice because of His sovereignty. Scripture affirms that God is the ultimate authority over all creation. Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage encourages believers to trust in God's perfect justice, even when it is beyond human comprehension.

2. God's Righteousness: The Bible consistently portrays God as righteous and just. Psalm 89:14 declares, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and truth go before You." This assurance of God's righteous nature motivates believers to accept His judgments and trust in His justice.

3. God's Faithfulness: God's faithfulness is a key motive for resignation to His justice. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds believers, "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This faithfulness assures believers that God's justice is always tempered with mercy and love.

4. Eternal Perspective: Christians are encouraged to adopt an eternal perspective, understanding that God's justice may not always be evident in this life but will be fully revealed in eternity. Romans 8:18 states, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This perspective helps believers to resign to God's justice, knowing that ultimate justice will be realized in the life to come.

Practical Implications of Resignation to God's Justice

Resignation to God's justice has practical implications for the believer's life. It fosters a spirit of humility, patience, and trust. By accepting God's will, believers are encouraged to live in peace, free from the anxiety of trying to control every aspect of their lives. This resignation also inspires a deeper reliance on prayer and Scripture, seeking God's guidance and strength in times of trial.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Nehemiah 9:33
However, you are just in all that is brought on us; for you have done right, but we have done wickedly:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 946]ib.; accused by the devil, [947]284; his resignation showed a ... Future, infidel
doubts concerning, answered, [978]323; follows from God's justice, [979]323 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... It is true, external motives are many times of great ... rather see the real impressions
of a God-like nature ... did express itself in an entire resignation to his ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

Translator's Introduction.
... all its parts, but also faith, hope and fear, zeal, obedience, resignation. ... the Treatise
contains a full exposition of the motives for serving God, the why ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/translators introduction.htm

On Mourning for the Dead
... the latter, we have the strongest motives to enforce ... from the offended justice of
God we might ... have inflicted much worse, and with resignation, " because we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 135 on mourning for.htm

An Account of the General Conference of 1796
... that in case of the death, resignation, or expulsion ... chartered fund originated from
the purest motives, and has ... permitted "to preach and expound God's word" in ...
/.../chapter 2 an account of.htm

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of ...
... the world might have strengthened the motives to obedience ... applicable to passive
submission or resignation to his ... of sin and the justice of God, maintained the ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii natural evil or.htm

More and More
... to despair." Dear brother, may God give you full resignation to his ... holy men, if
they do them with holy motives, lifting up their hearts to God; and whether ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Satan's Devices
... envy, and revenge: For what other motives could induce ... you to believe, you do not
please God, for no ... when these temptations have wrought that resignation in you ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/satans devices.htm

Contentment
... circumstances, it must be from higher motives than our ... eat bread in the kingdom of
God, and sit ... you that holy calmness, that sweet resignation, that gracious ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/contentment.htm

Loyal to the Core
... in it, and therefore with the best of motives I wish ... our worship of our Master"this
total resignation of ourselves ... with the cause and honor of God, and with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/loyal to the core.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about acceptance? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fate / destiny? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to pray, “Thy will be done”? | GotQuestions.org

Resignation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Resignation: Motives to God's Greatness
Top of Page
Top of Page