Indeterminate Forms
- Author:
- Kevin Hopkins
In Calculus, there are many limits known as indeterminate forms. There are two parts of the function that seem to working against each other, so we see limits like .
The worksheet belows gives a few example of this phenomenon. Sometimes the numerator "wins", sometimes the denominator "wins", and sometimes there is a balance effect between both.
Indeterminate Forms in Faith
Grace and Love versus Judgment and Righteousness seem to be a faith illustration of indeterminate forms. They seem to pull in opposite direction and one can ask, which prevails? I believe the answer to that depends on how we respond to Jesus and His call for repentance in our lives.
Rev. 3: 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Without Jesus, it seems clear that judgment wins.
Rom 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A gift must be accepted or received, so the offer of grace doesn't automatically provide it to us. We must accept that grace that has been offered to us.
You may wonder who else thinks about such things. Matthew West has written song, "Grace Wins Every Time" that talks about this struggle.
Caleb Kaltenbach wrote a book "Messy Grace". In it he talks about how do we balance love without sacrificing Biblical convictions. Christ's love isn't about grace or truth, it is about grace AND truth.