June 2, 2004

Reading: Ephesians 1:15-18

 

“The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (17-18)

 

I am greatly concerned of late that the main stream of Christian understanding regarding Divine revelation is veering away from scriptural teaching and truths that have been closely held and guarded since the great reformation. The scriptures contain the revelation of God of matters concerning Himself to His people, those He calls His own, chosen by Him, redeemed, adopted and preserved. They are authored by the Holy Spirit, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Tim 3:16-17. The bible teaches that “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21. There is no doubt to the believing heart that every word of the Scriptures is divinely authored and is given by God as the tool by which the Holy Spirit leads, guides, teaches, and gives us wisdom and understanding concerning spiritual things. One only has to read Psalm 119 to discover the importance and value of the Word of God to those whose desire and passion is to know God and walk in His ways.

“For this reason, the words of the Bible are God’s powerful words which cause results to take place in the lives of people. The Bible is a supernatural book. It produces supernatural results.” Don Matzat, Truly Transformed.

There is a growing number among church goers who are satisfied to let their pastor and/or teachers do the reading and studying of the Scriptures. Too many have been duped into the false thinking that anything other than a cursory reading has been designated by God to those He has called to be pastors and teachers, and it is their responsibility to teach them. Such persons are reverting to the conditions in the church when it forbad any but clergy to read the Bible. Men gave their lives literally because they believed the Word of God was intended for every person to read and contemplate. They knew the power in these divinely inspired words.

It must be a trait in human nature. When I purchase a computer, washing machine, or anything that is accompanied by a book of directions, I do not read it until something goes wrong. Too many Christians treat the Word of God with the same apathy and lack of necessity. If the Holy Spirit, who inspired the words, lives in you, will He not enlighten its words to you?

There are those who claim to receive special revelation directly from the Holy Spirit apart from the Word of God. When such revelations are examined and are found to be from God, the recipient will always be able to track the source back to the Word of God. If a revelation or wisdom and understanding comes from a spirit and is not grounded in Scripture, I believe it is another spirit—not the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 11:4).

After the Reformation of 1517 there were some Protestants who taught that God enlightens the mind directly, apart from and without the Bible. Of such persons Martin Luther wrote, “Whatever spirit comes to us without the external Word of God is the devil.”

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation” Ps 119:97-99.

May God enhance our desire to know the Word of God intimately, for it is through His Word we are led into a deeper and more intimate knowledge of Him.