Many Christians say, “God’s ways are higher than ours,” whenever they face hard questions about suffering, healing, or evil. While it’s true that God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding, the idea that His nature is a mystery is simply not biblical.

If God wanted to remain a mystery, Jesus was a terrible idea.

Jesus didn’t come to make things more confusing—He came to reveal the Father exactly as He is. Yet many still defend the idea that God is unknowable, often as a way to avoid uncomfortable truths. But the truth is, God’s nature is not a riddle to solve; it’s a reality to embrace.

"If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus." — N.T. Wright

Hebrews 1:3 tells us Jesus is “the exact representation of His nature.” In John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” That means we don’t have to guess about God’s character—Jesus showed us.

And what did Jesus do?

• He healed the sick

• He forgave sin

• He cast out demons

• He calmed storms

• He resisted religious oppression

If Jesus was revealing the Father, then one thing is certain: God is not the author of affliction—He is the answer to it.

If God were orchestrating sickness, storms, and suffering, then Jesus spent His ministry undoing the Father’s will.

If Jesus has already revealed the Father, why do so many insist that God’s ways are unknowable? Because calling something a mystery provides an easy way to avoid hard truths.

1. It Protects a Faulty Theological Framework

Many were taught that “God is in control” means He orchestrates everything, including suffering. But if Jesus reveals a God who opposes suffering, that belief falls apart. Rather than rethinking their theology, people cling to mystery.

2. It’s Easier Than Wrestling with Hard Questions

When prayers go unanswered or tragedy strikes, it’s easier to say, “God’s ways are mysterious,” than to wrestle with what might actually be happening. But Jesus never used mystery as an excuse—He revealed truth and acted on it.

3. It Removes Personal Responsibility

If everything is just part of God’s plan, then we don’t have to do anything. No need to resist evil, pray with faith, or contend for the Kingdom. But Jesus taught His disciples to bring the Kingdom to earth (Matthew 6:10). God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean passivity—it means partnership.

4. Fear of Disappointment

Some have prayed for healing or breakthrough and didn’t see it happen. Instead of asking why, they conclude that God’s will is unknowable. This protects them from disappointment but also keeps them from growing in faith.

5. Tradition and Cultural Conditioning

Some church traditions emphasize a distant, unknowable God. Challenging this belief can feel risky, especially if it means going against what they’ve been taught their whole lives. But truth isn’t based on tradition—it’s based on Jesus.

Much of the confusion comes from a misunderstanding of sovereignty. Many assume sovereignty means meticulous control, but that’s not how Jesus operated.

A better understanding of sovereignty is this:

• God has ultimate authority, wisdom, and power. Nothing can override His purposes.

• He does not meticulously control every event. He allows human choice (free will), and thus the natural consequences to play out.

• He is always working to bring redemption. Even in broken situations, He moves to restore and heal.

Analogy: The Gardener and the Garden

A master gardener plants a beautiful garden, carefully designing its layout, selecting the best seeds, and nurturing the soil. He provides everything needed for growth—sunlight, water, and nutrients.

But he doesn’t control every detail. Weeds may sprout. Storms may come. Some plants may thrive, while others struggle. Yet the gardener doesn’t abandon the garden or force it into perfection—he tends to it, prunes where needed, and works to bring out its full beauty.

God’s sovereignty is like that gardener. He doesn’t dictate every outcome, nor does He cause destruction—but He is always present, always cultivating, and always working toward flourishing and restoration.

The Bible does talk about mystery—but not in the way people often use it. The real mystery isn’t who God is. It’s how incredible His love and wisdom are (Ephesians 3:18-19).

"The mystery of the kingdom is not that God’s will is hidden, but that it is now revealed in Christ." — Dallas Willard

God’s nature—His goodness, love, and will for wholeness—has already been revealed in Jesus. The only question is whether we’ll believe Him.

If Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, then we must rethink any belief about God that doesn’t look like Jesus.

If we keep calling God’s nature a mystery, we aren’t honoring His sovereignty—we’re avoiding the truth.