A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 15 of 24
CAUSED TO TRIUMPH
" . . . which always causeth us to triumph in Christ . . . "
Paul takes his own experience as a sort of standard for all believers. He is not merely testifying to what God has done for and in Him, but declaring that it is indicative of what the Lord does for all of His children. Thus, even though, from one point of view, his conversion was extraordinary, from another perspective, it was the norm. As it is written, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1 Tim 1:15-16).
This was the same rationale that compelled Peter to speak of the faith of the saints as being the same kind as his own. "Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 1:1,NASB).
FOR ALL THE SAINTS
The people of God must carefully avoid reading Scripture without an acute awareness of the commonness of salvation. By that, I do not mean to suggest there is something ordinary or mundane about salvation. Rather, there is a certain likeness that is realized in all of the children of God. That is what is intended by the expressions "common salvation" (Jude 1:3) and "common faith" (Tit 1:4). The general nature of salvation is shared by all of the saved, from their initial entrance into Christ, to their exit from this present evil world. There is no such thing, for example, as some having the Holy Spirit and some saints not having the Spirit (Gal 4:6). Some do not have full access to God while others lack that access (Eph 3:12). The prayers of some of the righteous are not heard, while the prayers of others are denied such a hearing (1 Pet 3:12). The "whole armor of God" is not intended for a select few in the body of Christ (Eph 6:10-18). The entirety of the justified community live by faith, not just a few of them (Heb 10:38). Overcoming the world is not intended to be experienced only by representatives of those who believe (1 John 5:4-5). The successful resistence of Satan is for everyone who is in Christ Jesus (1 Pet 5:8-9). The eyes of the understanding of all of the saints can be opened to comprehend the wondrous things of God (Eph 1:15-20). All of the saints can be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man (Eph 3:15-20).
A MISCONCEPTION
There is a unacceptable mentality that has crept into the Western church. It has left the people assuming that most Christians are something like commoners who live in virtual spiritual poverty. They know very little about the Scriptures, and have a minimal understanding of the benefits of redemption. However, they love Jesus, and that is imagined to be enough. There are, it is thought, a few exceptional souls – generally especially educated and trained– who know much more than the others. These are afforded professional positions, and are responsible for keeping the institutional wheels well oiled and running. Most of the spiritual communication and work come from these individuals, while the remainder of the people are mere spectators.
The commoners attend what few gatherings are scheduled, and support the work with their finances. The upkeep of the facilities, the care of the children, and various other institutional requirements are maintained by people coming from this larger group. Those with a desire to know more of the Scriptures do not consult with the commoners. Nor, indeed, are those who require uplifting fellowship encouraged to find it among this lower and uninformed class of people.
Occasionally the commoners are told that God surely must have loved ordinary people, because there are so many of them. By this, they suggest that God is actually drawn toward people who are identified with His Son, yet know little about Him, remain unable to teach, cannot give an answer for the hope within them, and live in practical aloofness from Him.
If this seems a bit strong, allow me to state the case with even more strength. I am going to say that institutional religion cannot be maintained without entertaining these, and similar gross misrepresentations. As soon as the saints of God begin to obtain "all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9), they can no longer occupy the seats of the unlearned and the inactive. In order for lifeless religion – form without power (2 Tim 3:5) – to be maintained, the people MUST be kept in a state of ignorance. Faith must not grow and increase (2 Thess 1:3), and the people must not be filled "with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:19). A clergy-laity system must be maintained at all cost, or the institution cannot maintain its prominence.
In order to guarantee that a purely sectarian stance is maintained, crystalized doctrines are developed that support the sect, ensuring that it is able to maintain its identity. That identity provides for a separation of the sect from all other professing Christians. This is a separation that is not the result of godliness (1 Tim 4:7), living by faith (Gal 3:11), or walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). It is not the result of spiritual understanding (Col 1:19), abstaining from the lusts of the flesh that war against the soul (1 Pet 2:11), or setting the affection on things above and not on things on the earth (Col 3:1-2).
The doctrine of the sect is not wholly false, and often contains many statements that are very true. However, attempts are made to mingle those statements with human perceptions that are not true. They are also under the covering of an incorrect emphasis, a wrong direction, and objectives that are not harmonious with God's revealed "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11). In such a case, the primary aim of Scriptural texts is to buttress the emphasis that makes the institution unique.
Without such a doctrinal emphasis, it is not possible to maintain institutional identity. For purposes of clarity, this emphasis is not Christ Jesus Himself. It is not preparing for the resurrection of the dead, standing before Christ, and the day of judgment. It has little or no relevance to "the world to come," or growing up into Christ in all things (Heb 2:5; Eph 4:15).
IS THIS RELATED TO YOUR TEXT?
Is this brief excursion related to our text? Indeed it is. Paul has maintained such a profound concern for the people of God that he could not rest in his spirit, left an open door, and went to Macedonia to secure an understanding of the condition of the Corinthian brethren. Now he will tell them something they need to know – something he himself has experienced. There is triumph to be had in Christ Jesus, and it is for the Corinthians, and all saints, as well as Paul himself.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, scatter those who wear Your name but deny Your power. Move them away from your children that they trouble them no more.