Insight Into Reality

When communicating with others it is possible to send an unintended message.  I used to think if someone was telling me about their problem it was because they actually wanted suggestions on possible solutions, but I have learned this is rarely the case.  Years of studying and being taught the Bible sent the message it was my responsibility, not only to learn and follow the scripture, but to engage with people with the intent to share the Gospel and lead them to Christ.  Somehow I imagined changing people's minds was now my responsibility, having been endowed with wisdom from above.  Coming to realise changing people's hearts and minds is what only God can do provided welcome relief from self-condemnation after my countless failures.

In his book Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard said on the subject:

"Our beliefs and feelings cannot be changed by choice.  We cannot just choose to have different beliefs and feelings.  But we do have some liberty to take in different ideas and information and to think about things in different ways.  We can choose to take in the Word of God, and when we do that, beliefs and feelings will be steadily pulled in a godly direction.  One of the worst mistakes that can be made in practical ministry is to think that people can choose to believe and feel differently.  Following that, we will mistakenly try to generate faith by going through the will--possibly trying to move the will by playing on emotion.  Rather, the will must be moved by insight into truth and reality.  Such insight will evoke emotion appropriate to a new set of the will.  That is the order of real inward change...Belief is when your whole being is set to act as if something is so.  And that is how the commands of Jesus finally come to us as we grow.  We see them to be reality." (Willard, Dallas, et al. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Form, 2021. Pages 261-262)

Just this morning I read Paul's concluding remarks after establishing the proper order of the use of spiritual gifts in a church assembly in 1 Corinthians 14:37-38:  "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant."  Paul conveyed the divinely inspired Word of God, and if people refused to humbly receive it and apply it personally it was not his responsibility to make them change.  Paul would not have them be ignorant of spiritual gifts and thus he held forth the truth.  There was no reason to remain ignorant of God and His commands, yet if someone was intent to carry on in ignorance that was their choice.  If they were blind leaders of the blind they would all fall into the ditch, and perhaps the experience would bring them to their senses of their need for God.

God does not hold us responsible to change other people, but He does require us to embrace personal change as we follow Jesus as disciples.  He has compassion on the ignorant, but our good God and Teacher does not keep the children of light in the dark about His will and ways.  Ignorance does not work in our favour but ultimately leads to destruction.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, and is the revelation of God that directs us to seek and know Him, to ask for forgiveness and salvation, to obey His commands and do what pleases Him.  It is by exposure to God's Word, the Holy Spirit within us and the fellowship of the saints that prompts positive change of our beliefs to think more like Him, the humbling of our will by faith in Jesus with intent to do God's will and find rest in Him.

For the Profit of All

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..."

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

In Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, he compared the church to a body where Jesus Christ is the head and all Christians are connected to Him and one another.  Hands and feet are different from each other, but they both have their function to serve the whole body.  God, who created every person unique, by the Holy Spirit gives a variety of spiritual gifts that minister in countless ways to people in the church.  Even as all humans share the same basic physical anatomy but can look very different in appearance, the same spiritual gift can be as unique as believers who receive and exercise it.

Paul emphasised the sovereignty of God, the unity of believers, the diversity of gifts and activities.  In verse 7 the reason is stated for the gifts, ministries, activities and work of the church together:  each believer is gifted for the profit of all.  This passage and others in the New Testament describe roles and spiritual gifts given to Christians so members of the church individually and the church corporately will be edified and Jesus Christ glorified.  It is important to understand the spiritual gifts God gives us are not primarily for our own personal edification but for the building up of the church.  This means spiritual gifts are not to be reserved or limited for personal use but to be used in the church community as we gather together regularly.  Through the use of gifts, ministry and activities, God chooses to work all so all will profit.

In my youth this was entirely a foreign concept to me.  For instance, when I received a birthday gift, I viewed it as mine--it was intended for me to use when and how I wanted.  It was not my brother's toy or my sister's toy, but my personal property.  I remember receiving a gift of beef jerky once and since it was a special treat I limited myself to only one piece every day to savour it until it was gone.  It never once occurred to me to offer some of the jerky to my siblings or parents who gave it to me.  It was mine!  I did not think to follow my dad's example, for whenever he received an edible gift his first impulse was to open the container and pass it around so everyone could enjoy the treat together.  It wasn't that he didn't like cashews or beef jerky but he cared about those around him who would appreciate a snack as well.

Since God has been gracious and generous to give us forgiveness, salvation and spiritual gifts, we ought to be generous with the gifts He has given us to people in the church.  Galatians 6:10 reads, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  When we consider the roles and spiritual gifts mentioned in this chapter, we see all of them involve a group of people.  1 Corinthians 12:29-30 says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"  What is the point of an apostle being sent who goes to no one, a prophet without hearers or a teacher without students?  Jesus healed others rather than himself, and tongues with interpretations are a sign to unbelievers and believers can praise God together with understanding.

God has given us spiritual gifts for the profit of all, and even we are not our own because we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  Praise God for His gracious gifts and how He uses diverse people with various gifts for the same purpose of edifying the church.  Instead of being like me, hoarding my gift of beef jerky for myself, let us be as generous share around God's love and serve others like Jesus always does.

Unexpected Blessing

As Israel's life drew to a close, he asked Joseph to bring his two sons to his bedside so he could bless them.   Joseph intentionally placed the older son Manasseh on the right hand of his father and younger Ephraim on the left.  Joseph was displeased when Israel suddenly crossed his arms and placed his hands opposite of Joseph's preference.  Joseph protested as he reached out and grabbed his father's hand to physically remove his right hand from Ephraim and place it upon Manasseh.  Israel refused to yield to Joseph's demands and blessed both of them, by faith in God revealing the younger would become a greater people than the elder.

Joseph was initially humbled and most pleased his sons were blessed by his father Israel, yet he was displeased in the manner the blessing was given.  The dual blessing was the same spoken over both of them, but Joseph was irked the younger would have the greater blessing that ought to be reserved his older son.  It is ironic Joseph complained because this blessing from the LORD was all of grace, for Reuben was Israel's firstborn son, and Israel adopted Ephraim and Manasseh into his line.  Isn't it strange how even unbelievers won't refuse blessing from God if it means they can have things their way?  Joseph preferred Israel bless his sons the way he thought best, and believers today can do the same thing with God.

One of the difficulties lies in the vagueness and arbitrary nature of what we commonly call "blessing."  We would be incorrect to believe the word means whatever we want it to.  The Hebrew conveys "to praise, to fill with strength" and can be a gift, benefit, advantage or wish of happiness.  Wouldn't it be true to say if something is "of the LORD" it is a blessing regardless if we asked for it or if we feel privileged to have it or not?  The blessing of the LORD upon Ephraim and Manasseh was good for both of them--even though the younger was set before the older.  There are many things that God has allowed in my life that did not feel or seem good at the time, yet now with hindsight I can recognise they were gracious blessings from His hand.  When Jesus died on the cross it was all bad to His disciples, yet in time they came to understand it was the means of imparting blessings of forgiveness, salvation and adoption for lost sinners provided by the Gospel.

Since God is good and His ways are higher than ours, the trial or unexpected difficulty we face right now in time we may look back upon with eyes of faith and count it among the greatest blessings from God we have received.  The unexpected blessings provided by God's grace are just as lovely and priceless as the blessings we beg for.  Praise the LORD He delights to bless us, and without a doubt He Himself is our greatest blessing.  We ought to expect these unexpected blessings continually and receive them gladly by faith in Him.

Death of the High Priest

It was a most tragic day when king Saul commanded Doeg the Edomite to take up a sword and slay the priests of Nob because the high priest Ahimelech helped David.  When David came and said he was on secret business from the king, there was no reason to question this champion of Israel.  Yet at the command of his king Doeg butchered everyone and every animal in Nob, save Abiathar the son of the high priest who escaped to tell David the awful news.  1 Samuel 22:22-23 reads, "So David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father's house. ²³ Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe."

The only gleam of light from this horrible situation was there was one priest who escaped the sword and bloodshed.  Abiathar went on to serve as the high priest of the almighty God David feared and followed.  But as I was reading a portion of the Law of Moses the other day, it occurred to me how this news would have hit different to a small group of Israelites at that time.  In Numbers 35, Moses established 6 cities of refuge throughout Israel, 3 on the west and 3 on the east of the Jordan river, so anyone who killed someone accidentally and without malice could flee from the avenger of blood and be given a fair trial.  If it was determined by the elders and congregation of the city it was indeed an accident and not premeditated murder, the one who shed blood would be permitted to live--with the caveat he was required to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.

Numbers 35:25-28 says, "So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. ²⁶ But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, ²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, ²⁸ because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession."  Think of all the people guilty of manslaughter who were living in cities of refuge when they receive the awful news the high priest Ahimelech had been executed.  Undoubtedly there was great mourning and sorrow over his untimely and unjust death.  At the same time this meant manslayers could legally and safely return to their home, family and friends they had not seen for a long while.  The death of the high priest released them from the requirement to remain in the city of refuge.

Jesus is referred to as our great High Priest, and He died on the cross to atone for sin.  Rather than being in a city of refuge as innocent of murder, we were in a prison guilty as sin awaiting eternal punishment.  There was no escape for us possible from sin and death until Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead.  This is one reason how the crucifixion of Jesus hits differently for those who have been born again through the Gospel, for we have been set free by His sacrifice.  He has freed us from the penalty of our sins because He paid the price to purchase us and redeem us from death so we can live in freedom, serving Him with joy and gladness.  We are called now to find refuge and abide in Jesus Christ who is our life, and He is faithful to guide, provide and help us continually.  Praise the LORD He was willing to die so we could live, to be wounded so we can be healed, broken so all who trust in Him can be made whole.