Is God Bigger Than A Book?

The title of this post is loaded and cocked like a high-powered rifle.  Answering "no" runs the risk of limiting God, and affirming it creates the potential of wrongly attributing deeds to God.  God is Almighty and has primarily revealed His character, righteousness, and Gospel through the Word of God.  The times I have heard this statement used, the Bible is the book being referenced.  The Bible is not just "a" book, but His book.  I believe the Bible is exactly what it claims to be:  all scripture is of His divine inspiration, His God-breathed Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  So before we can even fairly tackle the question, we must consider the context of making such a statement.  If we do not first understand the premise, we can arrive at the wrong conclusion.

When someone says "God is bigger than a book," it is the premise of the statement that concerns me more than the statement itself.  Atheists or unbelievers are not the ones saying this, but often it is professing Christians.  What is the motive to say such a thing?  Scripture itself reveals that God is greater than all, so it seems obvious that God must be "bigger" than a book.  But what is the word "bigger" intended to convey when speaking about God?  Has He not placed His word above His name (Ps. 138:2)? What synonym better conveys the true agenda?  By referring to the Bible as "a" book, the statement itself denigrates the sufficiency of the Word and shrinks down the scope and power of the Bible, equating it to just any old book.  This is very problematic, especially today with a growing culture in the church that is moving away from literal trust and adherence to scripture.

John says Jesus did many things which were not written in the Gospel he penned, and what was written was to the end we might believe.  He closed the Gospel of John with these words in John 21:25:  "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen."  If all the deeds Jesus did could not be contained in the world itself, then it seems clear that the scope of what Jesus did is not entirely contained in scripture.  This by itself seems to lend a positive answer to the original question.  But the case isn't closed.  Jesus said there would be many who would come in His name but be deceivers.  They would claim to do the works of God but have no part in Him.  Paul describes the works of Satan in 2 Thess. 2:9 "...with all power and signs and lying wonders."  For this reason we are not to believe every spirit but to test them, for many false prophets have gone into the world (1 John 4:1).

The Holy Spirit gives us discernment through the scriptures to know truth from error.  Because that is one purpose for the scriptures being given it is not "limiting God" to look to the scriptures to find precedent.  Did Jesus do miracles of all kinds?  Yes!  Can Christians do miracles of all kinds today in His name, even healing diseases and afflictions not specifically mentioned in the Bible?  Yes!  The baptism with the Holy Spirit is for today, and I personally have received this baptism from Christ.  Our experiences and feelings will be different from each other because we are all different people.  The Acts of the Apostles reveal the Spirit of God manifested Himself as tongues of fire on the heads of the believers gathered in one accord in the upper room as they prayed:  is it possible the Spirit of God could manifest His presence in the same or different way today?  Sure.  But we must approach such "signs" or events cautiously, our feet firmly founded on the Word of God.  We are not ever told to seek after signs or miracles in scripture, but after Christ.  When the unbelieving Jews asked for a sign Jesus said it was "a wicked and adulterous generation" that sought after a sign when there He stood in their midst (Matt. 16:4).

God does miracles today.  Because of this scripture reveals Satan performs lying wonders as an angel of light with the intent to deceive and destroy.  If miracles or spiritual gifts were not in operation today by the power of the Holy Spirit, every supernatural act by Satan would expose his treachery!  His greatest asset is his subtlety.  His strongest approach is to question the validity of God's Word.  Wolves can pose as sheep and infiltrate the flock of God.  Therefore we must remain vigilant to hold fast to God's Word.  Jesus said His followers would do greater works (in scope) than Him through the Holy Spirit (John 14:12), but God has established boundaries He will not cross.  He cannot lie (Titus 1:2) or contradict Himself, almost like fresh and salty water flowing from the same spring.  The Holy Spirit will always glorify Christ (John 16:14), and Christ always honours the Father (John 8:49).  God's character is the same yesterday, today, and forever because He does not change (Ps. 102:25-27).  In all these aspects God cannot and will not overstep the bounds set clearly by His Word.  In this sense God always operates within the revealed truth of scripture.  There is a consistency in God's Word that can be counted on.  We must be cautious not to fall for Satan's sleight of hand, dazzled and duped.  Men are liars and easily led astray, but God is true and trustworthy.  That being said, God will not be confined by our limited view of Him.  Our unbelief restricts His resurrection power from being displayed.  We should have an expectancy of God to move in power and not to try and dictate how or when He will do wonders.  Truly, the greatest wonder to me is the salvation of a soul and the testimony of a transformed life through the Holy Spirit.  Physical healing is temporary, but the salvation of souls is eternal.

Understanding the premise of this statement is the key to the conclusion.  I am no one to judge another man's servant, because we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  Allow me to conclude with Psalm 19:7-14:  "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸ the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹ the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. ¹² Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. ¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer."

Taught to Know War

During family devotions a few nights ago we read a passage which has remained in my mind and on my heart.  Judges 3:1-4 reads, "Now these are the nations which the LORD left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan ² (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it), ³ namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. ⁴ And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses."

The children of Israel were not obedient to drive out the nations in the land of promise.  Therefore God told them He would no longer drive them out, and it was not out of spite or frustration.  God had righteous motives in allowing the enemy nations to remain, and these verses reveal some of God's redemptive purposes.  Verses one and four say God left the nations to "test Israel by them," so it would be evident if His people obeyed His commands or not.  If you read on for a few more verses, you will see they did not.

The part of this passage which has me thinking is verse two.  After the initial war to secure the land, a generation in Israel arose who did not know war.  Another purpose of God for allowing opposing forces in Canaan was "only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war..."  I don't know about you, but I would be glad for my children to never know war as many have known it.  My grandfather, Bernard Francis Grisez, was a Pearl Harbour survivor.  He was a great man.  Despite the struggles of service, I know his experiences had a formative quality in his personality and character for good.  God is wiser than men, and He knows how to make them.

God desired the new generation be taught to know war, to learn to trust God to fight their battles.  He didn't want the children of Israel to be soft, complacent, and be ignorant of enemy threats.  He wanted to develop men into warriors who could teach others to trust God and fight.  He didn't want His people touting their strength at fitness boot camp when they hadn't even been through military basic training!  What good are toned abs if you can't handle a sword, spear, or bow?  There is a big difference between basic training and live combat.  There is something about risking your life that is an impetus to growing faith in God.  Every day God provides tests to prove us to see if we will obey Him or not.

How true this is for us!  The scriptures tell us we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men and the glory of God.  Remember the words of 2 Timothy 2:1-4:  "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."  We are called to be strong in the grace of Christ, lead others to Him faithfully, teach them to observe His commands, and endure hardship as a good soldier.  God is our Commander, and we are His subjects.  He allows opposition and battles within and outside so we too might learn how to battle, fight on in faith despite hardship, and learn how to walk victoriously.  We can endure to the end, even as Jesus did.  He endured the cross, knowing the glory and victory of the resurrection was only possible through the cross.  Let us follow His example and fight on for the joy set before us!

Leave Your Waterpot

John 4 tells of a woman in the city of Samaria who went to a well to draw water.  To her amazement, she met a Jewish man at the well who not only acknowledged her presence, but asked for a drink!  This was quite out of the ordinary.  To put her perspective in her own words, "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."  She realised quickly that Jesus was no ordinary man.  He was not even an ordinary prophet.  He said in John 4:13-14, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."  As Jesus told her of Living Water only He could provide through the Holy Spirit and eternal life, her heart leaped with the incredible possibility:  was this the promised Messiah?

She went to the well with a plan to draw water, but in her excitement over meeting and speaking with Jesus her plans changed.  John 4:28-29 says, "The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ²⁹ "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"  The woman went for some water, but received living water through faith in Jesus.  Her plans immediately changed.  This is significant, that she left her waterpot behind!

I have no idea how many times, dear Christian, I have lugged that heavy, sloshing waterpot of my own plans along when God had a greater and higher purpose for me.  I went to the petrol station to purchase fuel for my car and I left with a full tank - but didn't take the time to start a conversation with the intent to introduce someone to Jesus.  It was me who remained empty when I could have been filled with the Spirit.  I stayed up late watching a program on TV to the end, but fell asleep mid-sentence whilst in prayer.  I was occupied, but not satisfied.  We make many plans for ourselves, but do we allow God to interrupt them with something beautiful and awe inspiring through the leading of the Spirit?  We need to learn to leave our waterpots when God has given us something far more satisfying through His service.  Jesus had food to eat His disciples did not know, and Jesus provides life, strength, and purpose the world cannot know!

Answering the Call God's Way

Today is my first day back in OZ after a relaxing holiday in New Zealand.  It was a wonderful blessing and I was thankful for the opportunity to see the sights and spend time with family.  Life had become very busy and so many things were vying for attention, like pesky flies swarming persistently at your face.  In addition to seeing beautiful countryside and enjoying family time it was a good opportunity to step back and evaluate the way I spend time.  With God's help, I shall jump back into the fray circumspectly and seeking His leading in my life.

A fitting passage was one our family read last night.  It is one thing to know you are called by God and even what you are supposed to do.  But it matters little to have knowledge of what you are to do should you neglect to seek God in how to do it.  Judges 1:1-3 is a great illustration of this, something more common than we might think.  The children of Israel did not always inquire of the LORD before doing what was right in their own eyes.  To their credit, in this opening passage of Judges they did seek God.  Though they started well, they veered from God's course.  Judges 1:1-3 reads, "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?" ² And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand." ³ So Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory." And Simeon went with him."

God called the men of Judah to go up and fight against the Canaanites.  Although God had promised to deliver the Canaanites into the hand of the tribe of Judah, for some reason they decided to ask the tribe of Simeon to help out with a promise of reciprocation:  you help us, and we will help you!  The tribe of Judah heard the call, but decided reinforcements were a good idea.  The lure of convenience and strength in numbers was too strong a temptation for Judah rather than trusting God to fight their battles.  Simeon's country was surrounded by territory given by God to the tribe of Judah.  Thus Simeon was lured into fighting a battle that was not theirs, and Judah did not obtain the deliverance promised by God because they decided to take matters into their own hands and do things their own way.

Understand that God remained faithful to the children of Judah and helped them to defeat their enemies.  Even though Simeon lent assistance they prevailed over their enemies - but not completely.  Some of the land they did secure were later strongholds for Philistines and other enemies of Israel.  Judges 1:17-19 says, "And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah. ¹⁸ Also Judah took Gaza with its territory, Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory. ¹⁹ So the LORD was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron."  God's hand was not shortened that it could not save.  He overthrew the Egyptians and their chariots in the midst of the Red Sea, yet Judah was not able to drive out the inhabitants of the lowland.  Were those iron chariots stronger than God?  No.  But Judah did not wholly trust God, substituting the combined strength of Simeon for deliverance only from God.

What a good reminder this was, to not only answer God's call but to do so with God's guidance every step along the way.  Nothing about the call of Christ is convenient.  It is all faith, obedience, and sacrifice.  We need God to perform miracle after miracle to deliver us and establish us in Him.  The lame man at the pool at Bethesda was looking for the moving of the water, lamenting the lack of a man to help him quickly dip into the water when Jesus - the One who gives Living Water - spoke with Him face to face.  Can we be so blind?  Batting away the flies distracts us and is exhausting, yet God is able to drop them in an instant.  Only in Him will we find rest.  Let us respond to God's call God's way.  It is He who will triumph over all enemies!