My seminary president, Robertson McQuilkin, drilled into me a profound maxim: “It seems easier to go to a consistent extreme than to stay at the center of biblical tension.”

More recently, this same concept was reiterated by my Bible study teacher, JoAnn Hummel: “You and others will benefit as you ‘hold the rope’ of tension in the Scriptures.”

The prophet Isaiah offers us many opportunities to put this guiding principle into practice since his writing contains much tension. For example, chapter sixty-one speaks of the Messiah’s mission with rich descriptions of hope and salvation, redemption and good news.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor … to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1–3 NIV

But verse two also says the Messiah came to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God.” And a couple chapters later he unpacks what that looks like:

I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.

Isaiah 63:3–4, 6 NIV

And there’s also the uncomfortable tension between judgment and justice in Isaiah’s messages. But these represent only a small portion of the many other tensions found in Scripture. Tensions such as:

• We are set free from sin (Rom 6:18), yet we can continue to yield to it (Rom 7:19)
• We are saints (1 Cor 1:2), yet many still sin (1 Jn 1:8)
• We have peace (Rom 5:1), yet are to strive for peace (Heb 12:14)
• We have been given rest (Is 63:14), yet make every effort to enter that rest (Heb 4:11)
• We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8–9), yet also work out our salvation (Phil 2:12)
• We work out our salvation (Phil 2:12), yet God works in us to to will and act (Phil 2:13)
• God’s ways are beyond comprehension (Is 55:8), yet we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16)
• We are saved by faith (Gal 3:6), yet faith without deeds is dead. (Jam 2:17)
• We are chosen by God (Rom 8:29–30), yet free to believe in him (Rom 10:9)

Tension buts head with my value of order. By nature, I like things in a systematically neat, confined place. I want to figure it out, explain it, and file it away logically. And once in that place, to never let it leak out.

However that doesn’t mesh with real life which is not so simple to categorize. Neat boxes keep me stuck with no allowance for growth, change, or new information. Over the years, I’ve learned that McQuilkin and Hummel are correct.

Rather, remaining in the center of tension has given me freedom. Freedom to not know everything. Being okay with not wrapping an idea or doctrine up in a tight neat bow. I’m becoming more comfortable with mystery. Accepting gray areas. After all, I don’t really want to worship a god that I can totally figure out!

Now I value balance. Not only in Scripture but also in life. Moderation keeps me from going down rabbit holes of fear or failing to admit flaws in my current understanding. Balance also brings peace with others. I am able to hear varying opinions, listen to the reasoning behind it, and admit I haven’t heard the whole story. It stops me from canceling some and associating only with those who agree with me.

Holding the rope of tension is a delicate dance. I rely on the Holy Spirit and trusted friends to help me identify when I lean too much into extremes. When I find myself depending on those around me for validation, acceptance, and love, I realize I’m out of balance. And I come back to Jesus for ultimately true balance finds him at the center.

In what area can you challenge yourself to remain in the center of tension?

PRAYER

Lord God, deliver me from extremes! Help me stay in the center of tension, especially as it relates to your Word. Help me be okay with not knowing everything, to appreciate the mystery and the anticipation of waiting until I see you face to face for complete clarity.