The Guidance of God

"...and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, [16] as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. [17] You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; [18] but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

2 Peter 3:15-18

During my morning reading, I came across this passage.  It dovetailed beautifully into the second lesson I delivered this morning in the High School group at Calvary Chapel El Cajon.  Peter was speaking concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ and how we ought to conduct ourselves while He tarries.  At the end of the epistle Peter affirms the truth of what Paul had written in his letters, though some was difficult to understand.  Some "untaught and unstable people" had twisted the scripture to their own destruction with the rest of inspired Biblical truth.  We ought not to be caught up in this wicked practice which disgraces the name of Christ and leads many to death.  Instead of being driven by every wind of doctrine, we are to rest firmly upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and be led by the Holy Spirit in our interpretation of the scripture.

My recent tour of fellowships throughout Australia revealed one major theme:  instability.  Of the churches I visited of different denominations that theme was repeated again and again.  Instead of building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, many are building upon the doctrines of men and demons.  Being a Calvary Chapel ordianed pastor, I believe that Calvary presents well-rounded, solid Biblical doctrine translated into American culture.  I would say that I am in agreement with the Calvary Distinctives.  But I do not believe that the Calvary Distinctives are intended to be the model for church planting and leadership.  Even one step away from the foundation of Christ and scripture is too far.  Anything that threatens building upon the foundation of Christ must be avoided at all costs.  Jesus is the Head of His body.  He does not need superficial and paralyzed arms of human wisdom we would attach to His church.

There is no magic formula or pattern for the formation of God's church.  It is God's work according to His perfect will!  It would be better to throw out every book ever written (though many are good and helpful) if they deter us from THE Book, the Bible.  Divinely inspired men write many books outside of the cannon of scripture, but they are not God's Word and ought not to be treated as holy ground.  In today's lesson, we read about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts chapter 8.  When asked by Philip if he understood the words of Isaiah the eunuch wisely replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?"  We cannot understand the words of scipture with our natural mind because God's word is spiritually discerned.  The wisdom of God is foolishness to the natural man.

We Christians often find ourselves with a need for explanation and too often are willing to consult with an arm of flesh rather than the Author Himself.  Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and guide us in all truth, as it is written in John 16:13:  "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."  If a child asks for food, his parent would not give him a poisonous snake or scorpion.  Jesus said that if we, being evil, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? (Luke 11:13)

The stability of any structure, including the church, is directly tied to the foundation.  If the Calvary Distinctives are the foundation of your church, the church will be unhealthy and weak if it manages to survive at all.  But if Jesus Christ is your Cornerstone, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.  Let us be as the Ethiopian eunuch who realized his need of help in understanding the scriptures and believed Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Instead of twisting the scripture, let us seek the understanding granted by God Himself.  He is the One who not only prevents our destruction but allows us to serve and glorify Him on earth.