A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE Yesterday, I listed twenty-three things that have been revealed concerning the word of God, or the Scriptures. All of these things may appear very evident, suggesting that no real purpose is served by emphasizing them. However, things are not quite that simple. The text I have chosen for this series of devotions is, in fact, "Scripture." It is inspired of God, and reflects the Divine manner of reasoning. Like "all Scripture," it is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16-17). -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor 2:12-14)
WHY SAY THESE THINGS?
On the surface, the personal nature of Paul's words might lead a person to think there is not a lot of profitability in the words of this text. It appears as though it is more personal – sort of a rehearsal of what Paul did, and of the varied feelings that he experienced. However, there is more to this text than that.
THE IMPACT OF INSPIRATION
Inspiration impacted the reasoning of men as well as what they said and wrote. Their feelings were touched, as well as their understanding. Those who were moved along by God to write a record that would be handed down through the ages, were not wrapped up in themselves. They were not recording a sort of dairy of their activities. They thought differently than ordinary men. They assessed situations as men whose thought processes had been impacted with the knowledge of the truth. Those who take it upon themselves to critique the writers of Scripture, deciphering what they imagine to be interpretations and personal persuasion from inspiration, overlook this key factor. The minds of these men had been sanctified.
When they perused their own activities, holy men did not assess them as mere men, but as those who were in fellowship with God, filled with the Spirit, and delighting in the Lord. At no point were their words – whether a testimony or an exposition – at a variance with the Person or purpose of Almighty God. They did not sift their views through the wisdom and philosophy of the Greeks. Socrates and his disciple Plato, who both lived during the inter-testamental period, were not the mentors of holy men of God. Their views had not permeated the thinking of the writers of Scripture, like the views of modern philosophers has permeated the thinking of certain preachers and teachers. In fact, there is no indication in Scripture that those appointed by God to write Scripture had any extended exposure to those who were wise in the ways of the world.
When holy men of God wrote, they saw God in the activities in which they were engaged. They traced opportunities back to Him, and gave Him thanks for any successes, victories, or deliverances that they realized. Their thinking was in synch with heaven! That is why the WAY they said things is worthy of our consideration. Their PERSPECTIVE of situations and circumstances has profit for us. It reflects the impact of newness of life upon the way the redeemed think, assess, purpose, and evaluate.
The manner of thinking and speaking that is seen in our text is not after the flesh. It is not the way unregenerate people express themselves. Neither, indeed, will it blend with an institutional agenda. Candidly, it will sound strange, and even artificial, to the person who is "unskillful in the word of righteousness" (Heb 5:13). However, we all do well to consider not only what these men of God wrote, but how they expressed themselves. Their concerns and how they impacted on their lives are also worthy of noting.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the sanctifying effects of Your truth.