DESPISE NOT SMALL THINGS Devotion 14 of 24 It is one thing to have an academic knowledge of the Word of God. It is quite another to hear it "twice" – to have the truth of it register upon your spirit. For example, it is refreshing to read of being a "new creation" in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). But when this is experienced, it is then discerned. That discernment, coming to us in the wrapping of spiritual experience – when, by faith, we "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psa 34:). That experience yields unparalleled joy and confidence. – Tomorrow:
"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." Zechariah 4:8-10, NKJV
Many a precious soul has been born again, but the fulness of that birth has not yet registered upon their spirit. They are enjoying new life much like an infant, who does not realize the ramifications, complexities, or marvelous benefits of life. Because they are not yet mature, their joy is not "full" (John 15:11). They do not yet have the "full assurance of faith" (Heb 10:22), the "full assurance of hope" (Heb 6:11), and "the full assurance of understanding" (Col 2:2). But these are all to be possessed when the truth of God is heard the second time!
The lack of spiritual maturity is attended by the jeopardy of falling away. This is specifically taught in the sixth chapter of Hebrews. There, we are urged, "go on unto perfection" (6:1). Lest we imagine this can be done in human energy alone, it as added, "And this will we do, IF GOD PERMITS" (6:3). These words were added because those who were addressed had lingered too long in spiritual infancy – the outer court of spiritual experience. Sufficient time had passed for them to be "teachers." Instead, the writer had to lisp to them in spiritual baby talk, teaching them things designed for beginners (5:12). Underscoring the necessity of moving on to perfection, or maturity, the Spirit adds, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame" (Heb 6:4-6). Although men haggle over the meaning of these words, they are intended to be believed, and to stimulate us to grow up into Christ.
Jeopardy is not the only thing that attends a spiritually juvenile state. As already noted, the immature also lack the "fulness of joy," the "full assurance of faith," the "full assurance of hope," and "the full assurance of understanding." Additionally, they have insufficient levels "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit," essential aspects of the Kingdom of God (Rom 14:17). They are not "filled with all joy and peace in believing" (Rom 15:13), and the peace of God does not "rule in their heart" (Col 3:15), or "keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7). They also are not able to consistently "discern both good and evil" (Heb 5:14).
Fifty-seven times the phrase "shall know that I am the Lord" occurs in Scripture (Ex 6:7; 7:5; 14:18; 16:12; 29:46; 1 Kgs 20:18; Ezek 6:7,10,14; 7:4,9,29; 11:10,12; 12:15,16,20; 13:9,14,21,23; 14:8; 15:7; 20:38,42,44; 23:49; 24:24,27; 25:5,11, 17; 26:6; 28:22,23,24,26; 29:6,9,16,21; 30:8,19,25,26; 34:27; 35:9,15; 36:11,23,38; 37:6,13; 38:23; 39:6,7,22). It always has to do with the personal experience or observation of the fulfillment of God's word – the experience of the promises of God.
A New Covenant Experience
The Word of God is not effectually confirmed to us by scientific evidences, however valuable they may appear. Such evidences cannot impact upon the heart of men – only upon the mind or intellect. Whatever value they may have, they cannot produce spiritual boldness or confidence. They cannot enable one to move into "the most holy" place, experiencing fellowship with God, and an acute awareness of His presence (Heb 10:21-22). They cannot enable the individual to lay hold of the promises of God, resist the devil, or fight the good fight of faith. These blessings can only come from the Word of God, by which we live (Luke 4:4).
THE MOST POWERFUL WITNESS TO THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE IS THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT PROMISES! When what God declares occurs in us, and we perceive it by faith, then we know! God has established His promises as the means by which we are conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29), or are "changed into the same image" by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). This is marvelously proclaimed in Second Peter 1:4. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." The "Whereby" refers to the "Divine power" that constrained God to call us by His "glory and virtue" (verse 3). That Divine power, motivated by His glory and virtue, has given us "exceeding great and precious promises."
These "precious promises" then become the appointed means by which we become "partakers of the Divine nature," or "participate in the Divine nature" (NIV). They are how we "taste and see that the Lord is gracious." They are how we gain the experience that results in maturity. They are how we hear "the second time," or come to "know the Lord." This advance is not realized by commandments, but by the promises. It does not come by exhortation or admonition, but by the promises. At some point, what God has PROMISED must be held before the saints, in order that their faith may take hold of it, enabling them to "participate in the Divine nature," or be "changed into the same image."
There are vast bodies of religious people – Christians – who are rarely exposed to the rich promises of God. They are told what they should do, what happened in the past, how they should live, or how the church should be governed. All of these things are good in their place, but they are by no means intended to be the thrust of "sound doctrine." None of them promote spiritual maturity, or enable one to more fully partake of the Divine nature. Rather, they are intended to get us into a position where we can take hold of the promises and move on to perfection. Blessed is the individual who knows this distinction. It does not diminish the value of the commandments, exhortations, and admonitions, but gives purpose to them.
This (partaking of the Divine nature through the promises of God) is a New Covenant experience, as proclaimed by Jeremiah and confirmed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles: "for they shall all know me" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:11). It is hearing "the second time," when the truth registers upon the heart with power. While there are varying degrees of this glorious knowledge, it is always the result of personal involvement and perception.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, deliver me from a merely heady religion. Give me grace to experience the truth, to have the promises fulfilled in me – to hear "the second time."