The Holy Spirit

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all. . . And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him" 1 John 2:20,27

Devotion #4 of 14

The comprehension of Scripture

The prophets "searched" what Person and times were involved in their own prophecies (1 Pet 1:11). God revealed to them that they wrote of things that pertained to another age, and thus could not discern them (1 Pet 1:12). Even angels "desire" to "look," or probe, into the Gospel we enjoy. Yet, the holy prophets could not comprehend the extent of their message. Nor, indeed, can angels, who excel in wisdom, discern the import of the Gospel. If the capacity to think and reason is sufficient to decipher the eternally profitable meaning of God's word, neither of these conditions could exist! Let it be clear, I am not speaking of an academic understanding of the text of Scripture; i.e., matters that bear upon conduct, etc. Correctly perceived, Scripture is more closely related to eternal purpose than human conduct; to the ages to come than this present evil world. The comprehension of that relationship is essential to fellowship with God. Paul's expressions to the Ephesians This is devastating to those unduly exalting the power of the human mind; but such individuals need to be devastated! Redeemed humanity is utterly dependent upon God for every facet of spiritual life, as well as what they eat and drink. Paul prayed that the very people that read his insightful writings would be given "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph 1:17). Even though he wrote of the "hope" of our calling, he prayed the people that read his writings would have the "eyes of their understanding (heart, NIV) opened" so they could know "the hope of His calling." He wrote extensively about God's inheritance in us, yet interceded for those to whom he wrote, that God would enable them to know the "riches" of God's inheritance in the saints. Again, Paul wrote of the great power that God has made available to us. Yet, he prayed that the Lord would enable the people subjected to his words to "know the exceeding greatness of the power" that is directed by God to them (Eph 1:18-20). All of this is absurd if men are capable of deciphering the extent of Scripture with disciplined study and logic. It does not end here! Again, Paul prayed that individuals that had heard and believed the Apostolic word would receive divine enablement "to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:18-19). It is an insult to our intelligence to believe that such a prayer would be uttered by an Apostle of the Lamb if we could discern the depth of Scripture on our own. Even more than that, it directly contradicts the spirit of Scripture, which teaches us to implicitly rely upon our God to help us understand His Word. Paul's expression to the Colossians There is such consistency in this matter that one wonders how any confusion on it could exist. The Colossians received a letter from Paul. It was a marvelous proclamation of the nature and intent of the Gospel of Christ. He even brought that Gospel to bear upon the practicalities of earthly life. Paul did not, however, rely upon the intellectual capacity of the Colossian brethren to grasp the depth of what he wrote. And, if he did not do so, it is difficult how anyone would say that we should! "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Col 1:9-11). Precisely how is one "filled with the knowledge of His will?" Is it merely by disciplined study? If so, why did Paul pray to God about this matter. Was He asking God to help them study harder and think more logically? Was that the intent of his prayer? No! He is praying for them to be "filled . . . in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Are those things that come from the reservoir of the human intellect? Where is the person that would dare to embrace such a foolish notion? Paul is speaking about a wisdom that enables us to walk "worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing." It is something that equips the believer to be "fruitful in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God." "All wisdom and spiritual understanding" will empower believers to be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power." They enable the child of God to be patient and longsuffering during hardship "with joyfulness." The person that would ascribe such effects to mere human endeavor is seriously lacking in spiritual perception. Without any apology I affirm that those thinking that only the Apostles were given the ability to understand Scripture are guilty of unbelief. They have denied the categorical declaration of Scripture. They have vaunted the wisdom of men above what is written. They have excluded divine influence from a most critical area, that of understanding the Word of God. They will also answer to God for having espoused and propagated such a lifeless dogma. All that have embraced their teaching are themselves evidence of its error. At the very best, such devotees have appropriated a cursory understanding of the text of Scripture. However, that activity, necessary though it may, does not require a Father in heaven, an Intercessor at His right hand, or a life-giving Spirit.