Understand the Bible?

Years ago a couple of ‘missionaries’ came to my door. Their main question was, “Where did you learn the meaning of the Bible?” I didn’t realize they wanted me to name my church so they could attack whatever flaws they perceived in it. But I had an answer. I told them that my teaching came from the Bible, not from people or a church. That upset them. They didn’t believe me. I realized later that in their minds no one can learn anything that way; it must be taught to them by a religious organization.

For that reason, these verses are particularly meaningful to me:

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:26–27)

Even though the Holy Spirit is the teacher, my church and other Christians often affirm to me what the Spirit has been telling me. This week I’ve been able to catch John MacArthur a couple of times. He is talking about how he knows what he knows about God. Basically, he says, “from the Bible” and because he is convinced it is inspired by God, it is the only reliable source.

He goes on to say what I know also, that the human mind cannot understand the things of God without the illumination from the Holy Spirit. He uses these verses, which I also believe give the answer to both issues:

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:10–16)

Both questions involve knowing the truth. Why does a Christian know what we know? Why do those without faith in Christ not understand what we know? The answers are above. Christians know because we have the Holy Spirit and are taught by Him. This is according to a promise Jesus made before He was crucified, resurrected and left this world:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)

The second question is answered too. The unsaved person does not know or understand the things of God because that person does not have the Holy Spirit imparting spiritual truth to their heart and mind. Not only is this true, but God’s truth seems totally foolish to them. It does not make sense nor seem right or useful. Even hearing that this is what is happening does not make sense. In human independence, the sinner’s heart is convinced that he knows all he needs to know to run his own life.

This is a danger for me too. Even though I know the source of all things is my triune God, I can fall into assuming I can handle things. When I fail or become weak, God reminds me that this isn’t so. I need to rely on Him all the time and for everything.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I do look forward to the day when this battle with sin and relying on myself instead of You comes to an end. Here I get a taste now and then of what that will be like and love the freedom of walking in the Spirit. You are amazing and You do amazing things, even with such a sinner as I. Today’s challenge is to cooperate with You in every detail of life!

Today’s thankful list . . .

- that Jesus gives me His mind and thoughts as I need them.

- a day of rest now that my work has created a tennis elbow (no tennis though).

- hubby’s help to clean out a long-overdue junk drawer of hangers, nails, hooks, etc.

- a short nap during a hockey game (and being able to sleep through anything).

- healthy snacks like nuts and grapes.

- clean clothes and good food.

When a convert is not a convert . . .

Tozer writes that you cannot help a chick get out of its egg. It will never develop properly unless it breaks the shell with its own beak and struggles its way through the ‘birthing’ process. It is the same with a butterfly. That struggle develops its wings and body for the life it will have.

Helping these creatures with their birth can be compared to an error made by Christians whose efforts to lead someone to Christ are untimely and unhelpful. Whether the ‘convert’ is a child eager to please or an adult who wants to be right with God, leading them through the sinner’s prayer does not necessarily mean that ‘convert’ is actually converted.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12–13)

For those who are genuinely reborn into God’s family, receiving Jesus and believing on His name go together. God gives His people a role in the process, a small role. We are told to ‘make disciples’ wherever we are. This is done by sharing the good news of the Gospel, baptizing those who believe and receive it, and teaching them whatever God has taught us.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

However, I cannot make anyone believe in Jesus. For a long time, I thought that if I told them all about Him and fed them some Bible verses they would, but that is not how it works. I read the Bible for seventeen years and it swished in one ear and out the other. I don’t remember anyone telling me the Gospel, although I realized later that they did. I just didn’t get it. I was not ready to hear it — and the Holy Spirit was not speaking to me.

Tozer gives a name to those who push for a ‘commitment’ too soon. He calls them “midwives in the henhouse” because their efforts are like trying to help a chick out of the egg. That chick might be joyful in what they think happened, but as he said, they are weak and walk with a stagger. They do not develop and their lives give no evidence of being reborn.

This produces a serious problem: that sort of ‘convert’ might assume that salvation has occurred and start to live with a false assurance. They think that because they have “prayed the prayer” or “accepted Christ” that they have eternal life, when God has not done anything in their hearts.

Tozer says that when the Holy Spirit brings a sinner to the new birth, “they bounce out into the world healthy and howling. Their sins are forgiven; their burdens have been lifted!” This is not always true (Paul was blinded for a time and not exactly bouncing), but when Christ comes in, sin should start falling out. Those whose lives are made new will begin to hate sin, love others, desire time with God, tell others they are followers of Jesus, and produce spiritual fruit that only comes from the Holy Spirit.

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I know people who think they are Christians. They are nice people and mean well, but they have not developed. Like the chick who is helped out of its shell, they are weak when it comes to resisting sin, and constantly stumbling instead of standing strong in faith. Some of this can be expected in a new babe in Christ, yet not for years and even decades. Without wasting time, You change lives. For me, grant me discernment and wisdom in my relationships with those who live with false assurance. Give me opportunities to share with those who base their salvation on what they did years ago instead of on You and what You have done and are still doing for them. Most of all, send Your Spirit to speak into their hearts that they hear and respond in genuine faith.

God goes much farther than a mere text message. . .

Today’s devotional passage describes that somber time when Jesus explains to His disciples that He is leaving them. I try to imagine what that would be like — a loss of His presence must have been a great grief to their minds and hearts, like saying goodbye to a dying spouse, or a son leaving for war.

This season, I have a new smart phone. I like email, but it has its limits. Texting is supposed to be the thing, but I’ve already realized it does not appeal to me very much. I’d rather phone those near to me or talk with them face-to-face. Call that old school, but verbal conversations offer an intimacy that electronics does not.

The problem changes with distance. Separation is difficult, even with our modern communications of telephone, Skype and texting. When this happens to me with family or friends, the fear that communication will also be severed compounds my sorrow. We need people. I need people. I need family and friends.

Sadly, a recent survey shows nearly half those needing counselling say they prefer it done by texting. They don’t want to talk to anyone. I’m concerned for those who isolate themselves, particularly those who isolate themselves to keyboards only. I’m convinced that a text message will never satisfy the human heart. For some, I suppose it is better than nothing, but it does not do what a real live voice can do.

This is what Jesus told His disciples on that sad day:

“But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:4–7)

Tozer writes that, “The Holy Spirit came to carry the evidence of Christianity from the books of apologetics into the human heart.” While I agree that the Holy Spirit takes the words of theologians and puts them into our hearts, I also now realize He does the same with His own words!

The Word of God could be considered like a text message. It is what God says to us in written form. However, He knew that would not be sufficient. The frenzy today to communicate with text messages only increases because it is not satisfying. It is insufficient. We need a voice, a real live voice.

Jesus knew that. He was not going to leave His people with just a text — as marvelous as that text is to us. He sent the real live voice of the Holy Spirit, who carries the words of Jesus into our hearts. The reality of this truth brings me such joy that I am weeping.

^^^^^^^^^

Dear Lord, You think of everything. You know the human heart, our universal need for someone close, who understands and comforts, who never leaves or forsakes us. What a blessing to have the Holy Spirit in my heart. He points to You. He helps and comforts me. His name means ‘one who draws alongside.’ Even though You are no longer here in the flesh, the Holy Spirit clearly brings Your presence into my life as a living, real life voice, a reality like no other!