7 Minutes
When we study the word of God it should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler than what is the truth. We should break things down in order to explain them, and gain insight and knowledge; yet never to the extent that truth is lost for the sake of simplicity. The validity of the thing is never to be compromised. If we are to sculpt the truth of the word, so as to build the house of God upon sound pillars, we must not attempt to break down the complexity of any subject where we lose clarity and meaning, and eventually lose the ability to maintain atrue perspectiveconcerning the subject. Spiritually, we must never sabotage intelligence where it becomes easier to follow the simplicity of not thinking through intricate issues, or to appeal merely to emotionalism; as compared to the willingness to diligently do the hard work of digging deep into God’s word; and therefore grow in faith, as His word instructs. We must be firmly decisioned to study where we actually learn something new, something that gives us greater insight into God, God’s word, and God’s purpose and intent; and in the process becomes a tool for building faith in accordance with hearing the word. “New” does not mean something tantalizing. I’m talking about “new” because the teacher that is willing to dig deep and uncover those faith building insights which are mandated by hard work, and are yet new because we are so superficial in our current culture, will seek to involve the minds that are acquainted with instruction, bringing all into touch with the environment of reasoning unto reality. This is why sculpting the word allows us to feel the power of that reality. It is the superficiality wherein the same old things are said time after time, or people simply regurgitate what the bible says without actually digging deep and exposing the nuggets the Holy Spirit would bid us to uncover and therefore grow in faith.
When I say grow in faith, please understand that I am saying that we are to observe prophecies fulfilled which create credibility for the truths spoken, finding knowledge which is beyond comprehension, and gaining wisdom which exceeds human capabilities. Something that builds faith based upon what is written in God’s word. Unquestionable faith is found in God’s word because of the consistency of witnessing phenomenon after phenomenon exhibited in the bible, with the end result being that truly this book could not have been authored by man, but must have been offered by He who can see the ending from the beginning – God Himself, wherein this book deserves our greatest attention as God’s revelation to man. Biblical faith is to be primarily based upon an interaction with God’s word. Faith was created and given wherein as a person study’s the bible, the Holy Spirit opens their spiritual eyes to perceive that which is laid out to reveal there is deep wisdom that is written between its pages. There are internal evidences found in the bible that when crossed- referenced within themselves open up such high paths to greater understanding as to portray God’s orchestration of His creation. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we cannot merely isolate one passage in presenting God’s revelation to man, it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach and present all of God’s revelation as found in the bible. For in depth study, we must interweave supporting truths wherein the logical flow and dissemination of God’s writings are seen. Hearers suffer great loss when their confidence is shackled by unfortunate and negative interference when ignorance or defiance is introduced to end discussion. It is unfortunate that many people build their faith mainly upon their own experience, rather than preeminently upon God’s word. And yes, there is a place wherein we find ourselves in a situation which aligns itself with God’s word specifically, and we exercise faith in God and our faith grows in the process. This is not what the scripture says nor is it meant to be the main place of gaining faith. Faith is to be gained from the hearing of God’s word. For the chosen of God, studying the word is mandatory. These are participants; hearers and doers that delve into doctrine and those deeper things of God’s word which lead to maturity, understanding, and wisdom.
God does not test our love to see if we “feel good”. It did not feel good for God to give up His Son to die for us, nor did it feel good for Christ to give his life on the cross. Furthermore, it will not feel good for us to see others reject the “so love” of God. Have you ever sided with error because you “like a lot”? Please allow me to share this insight; the definition of “like” is “to find pleasant or attractive, to enjoy.” Love means “other centered”, focused on the other person. “Like” is “me centered”, focused on the “me” in self. Love is a decision to always do the right thing...obeying the commands of God, forgiving those who wrong you, sharing with the unfortunate, loving your enemy, converting a sinner. With His finger God wrote the commandments. God writes those same words upon our heart, our mind. He sculpts them as on both sides; our inside that we may know them, and our outside that we may show them. God tests us with suffering to see if we will stay faithful to Him. And God’s motive behind His testing is most assuredly to save us. And that is the power of the word. Whenever God tells us to do anything, we immediately know one thing: we can!!! Therefore, we do, especially since we know it is in our own best interest to be obedient to our heavenly Father. The invitation to come to God our Father to reason in His love is a trial and a test in demonstration. Jacob saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. You and I are in the Rock-climbing school. And the Rock is Christ. Sometimes we find ourselves hanging on the face of a cliff as sheer as any logic we had ever heard of. We must look to the Word to resolve some apparent biblical contradiction. We must sculpt the word to attain adequate instruction to meet our granite fate. We are to climb the path of truth. By faith we eventually stand on top of the cliff, and guess what? Instead of lamenting how hard it had been to get there, we rejoiced in our accomplishment, looking over at the even higher Rock and saying, “we can climb to that one.” What is the principle? Our trials are tests, and our tests are trials. More precious than gold. The word tests us to see if we are looking to Christ, that beyond all doubt we are his chosen faithful and he is the genuineness of our faith.
Sculpting the word of God is literally and spiritually cutting into the power of scripture to discern unexpected illuminations communicated by God to those who are charged to herald the content of His message to an entire people. Sculpting the word reveals something of the content that ordinary discourse cannot claim. If we truly cut into the power of scripture, we understand what Daniel meant by “the wise shall understand”. There are those who actually acquire knowledge through the revelation of how God acts in history to save humanity, how He reveals Himself and what He is doing. Sculpting the word uncovers the unique divine revelation in Christ. It is God making Himself known to specific people through events and inspired words spoken. Sculpting the word underscores the fact that the biblical God is not only personal, but a society of Persons, existing eternally in mutual love and deference to our being brought to perfection. Study the entire 17th chapter of John. See if what is revealed to you is not a sculpting of intercession, of defining eternal life, of restoration of the Son of God, of special prayer for a special people and for their keeping, of divine restraint to keep these from evil, and for the Oneness we are in Christ declaring his Father’s name in the power of love. We are talking about the Word. The Word is the power of God to speak to us. That power to speak is who He is: His Word is eternally with Him, and His Word is His very nature. It is Christ. When we sculpt the Word we see God. Moreover, God reveals Himself to Himself, and His revelation extends into His own being. We marvel at the distinctiveness of how God loves in His all powerful way. The Son of Man, who is God Himself, learned the one thing that his Father, the omniscient God could not know...Son, though he is God, learned obedience from what he suffered. It comes also to the world he has created, and especially to the intelligent creatures of that world: angels, the unfallen, and human beings. Because self-revelation is his nature, he wants all his creatures to know him. The creatures of the world cannot know God exhaustively. One cannot know God exhaustively unless one is God. But creatures receive great benefits from knowing God; indeed, we cannot live without knowing him, for he is the author of life. This is true both of our natural lives and our spiritual lives.
It is this wonder of the Persons of God that we sufferingly sorrow for those who reject His revelation, by their unrighteous suppression of the truth. Their ignorance of God is something they have done to themselves. Even God sculpts...
Jeremiah 23:29
Hebrews 4:12
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