“Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there.”
Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there— so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured. [Isaiah 28:9-13 NIV]
For the last few years, I have hammered on the Word of God contained in the Bible as being vital to every person in this day. The emphasis, (1 Peter 2:2), was that it is the cornerstone of our faith and our preparation for the Lord because the Good Shepherd (Jesus-the word of God-) wants to bring up his flock by himself. (John 10:16). Well, this is true not just for life here, but to know the voice of the Lord Jesus when He calls. Or else, how do you differentiate him from the elements and the other voices in the world? His voice will be as Thunder! [ see John 12:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53]
‘The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.’ Psalm 29:3
However, the point I am commanded to now stress is that intellectual Bible study or just a feat of memorisation is not going to bring about the needed familiarity for a relationship.
‘’When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.’’ John 10:4
When Pentecostals hear this, they immediately think I am referring to orthodox Christians but this is not the case. The problem of rote shows up irrespective of denomination. Our traditions (even modern patterns of religion) often endanger our personal intimacy and dependence on the Holy Spirit. What dictates your understanding of Jesus?
Recognition of Jesus (and his call) will not be achieved by an intellectual commitment, otherwise, how will the dead (with decayed flesh/brains)-in-Christ hear him and rise? [see Luke 24:30-32]
While intellect serves to connect the words in the pages of the bible to our mind, the Spirit of Jesus wants to make Him come alive in our spirit. So what we need is not just the letters of his words, but a really intimate understanding and relationship with a living Father (YHWH) and his son Jesus Christ - by his divine Spirit.
Even now, if our message is devoid of the spirit, that very words meant to give life will become a ‘’stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,’’ why? Because anything that is of ‘rote’ and of the mind, stops at the intellect and does not enter the eternal part of man and therefore as Isaiah prophesied, ‘the word of Adonai for them comes ‘precept by precept, precept by precept, line by line, line by line, a little here, a little there,”(: see CJB) so that when they walk, they stumble backward, and are broken, trapped and captured! ‘’
The word that should give Life and relationship has become a stumbling block that prevents recognition of Jesus.
I am compelled that now more than ever, the goal must be an intimate relationship with Jesus through his word(scriptures) such that we know him with that innermost man that never dies.
How do we do this? By recognising and giving preference to the Spirit of YHWH who has been sent to assist us.
’The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.’’ John 14:26 (CEB)
This is the vital part of knowing the Lord. May we always defer to him. Amen
‘’Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.’’ 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
“And as for me,” says Adonai, “this is my covenant with them: my Spirit, who rests on you, and my words which I put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children’s children, now or ever,” says Adonai. [Isaiah 59:21CJB]
Comments