Back in the day when Jesus still walked the
earth before His death and resurrection, the Pharisees, more often than not,
had issue with Him. They would do
anything they could to attempt to “trip Him up,” but they never could. He was, is and will always be perfect. The thing about the Pharisees is that they
were highly educated men. They knew
the scriptures…but yet…they couldn’t even recognize the Son of God, the One the
scriptures foretold. At one point, Jesus
even called them “white washed tombs”…meaning they sure did look good on the
outside, but on the inside, they were rotten and disgusting. See
Matthew 23:27
Today,
my concern in these amazing times of great knowledge is that knowledge, both
outside and inside the church, is clouding the vision of our Great and Amazing
God.
I
have had amazing conversations with folks who have extensive knowledge of the
Bible as well as many other books that contribute to the knowledge of the
Bible, but yet in their own way, doubt some capabilities of the Holy Spirit… as
if the Creator of all things is somehow unable to do certain miracles!! Now, understand me clearly here…I don’t say
this to try to hurt anyone or point fingers at anyone. I say it because it’s been a subject that’s
been on my heart and mind for many, many years. And…lately it seems that much of the
persecution that I’m witnessing is coming not only from outside the Church, but
much of it is coming from inside the Church…from other Christ Followers. I refuse
to mention any names in this writing.
This is not about calling folks out on what they do or don’t
believe. After all, God gave us each a
measure of faith. See
Romans 12:3 It’s God who removes the
veil from our eyes so that we can see Him more clearly. See
2 Corinthians 3:1-18 It’s God who
gives us the knowledge…but how are we using it?
Are we using it to tear each other down, or build each other up? Are we allowing knowledge itself to be the
box that keeps the Holy Spirit from working effectively? After all, Jesus himself said that He could
not do miracles in some places due to the lack of belief. See
Matthew 13:53-58 This is not the picture of the spotless bride that Jesus
is coming back for!! In fact, often
times the vision I see when others doubt the authenticity of another Christian,
is that of the Pharisees calling Jesus blasphemous. Again,… Jesus likened the Pharisees and
scribes to white washed tombs!!
When
are we going to learn to accept each other for who God created each of us to be
as Followers of Christ. We’re not in
competition here, though some might argue that fact. Even the twelve disciples argued over who
would be the greatest. See
Luke 9:46 Maybe we should learn from
their mistakes instead of trying to be the best or having the most knowledge,
or worrying about whose church is too small or too large, too loud, not loud
enough, traditional music vs non-traditional music or vice versa…etc. The arguments seem endless!! Stop trying to stop someone from being all
God made them to be simply because you don’t believe it for that
person!! Maybe we should simply work together, accepting the fact that not
everyone is going to have the same doctrinal beliefs as Christ Followers. Maybe we should strive for excellence…both at
individual and corporate levels.
Where
I am unable to reach a lost soul, you can.
And, where we are unable to reach one…someone else is able to reach
them. This is possible only with the
workings of the Holy Spirit through us.
It’s us making ourselves available for the God of all Creation to work through us!! It’s. Not. About. Us.
Let’s
stop letting pride, knowledge, doctrinal beliefs…or whatever, get in the way of
being true Christ Followers. We can know
the Bible inside and out, but if we don’t allow the Author to work through us
to reach the lost, sadly, we are ineffective as Followers of Christ.
For
years, my saying has been “don’t keep God in a box.” And, I must admit that in my walk, from time
to time, even when against having borders for God, I still manage to do just
what I don’t want to do…have a border here or there. The beautiful thing is that God knows that I
don’t want Him in a box, but He also knows my imperfections…better than I know
them myself. I want to see Him for EVERYTHING He is and ever will be. So, when this happens, He ever so gently
shows me the error of my way. I
encourage you to do the same. Let your
boundaries go!!
Don’t let your head full
of wonderful knowledge…that is God given by the way… become the box that keeps
God from doing all that He’s capable of doing… like those in Nazareth who
believed they knew Jesus so well that they believed Him incapable of doing
miracles. Don’t be that guy!! Seek
knowledge…but more importantly…seek the Giver of that knowledge.
