Sitting, at one point, though.. ..wondering why, regardless of specific approaches to worship and theology, we can't all just enjoy the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Finally putting to death that part within me which wants to consider myself set apart in some way which refers to distinction/differentiation rather than discernment of the Spirit, in other words.
Which now comes to mind that this is a finer point of comprehending quite what Paul was referring to when he spoke of being as the Jews, when among the Jews, and as those without law (Gentiles), when he was amongst those who were lawless (the Gentiles).
The bit of parenthetical specification had proven itself a necessity, given my own initial tendency to become completely astonished over the idea of being lawless around folks. That bit of phrasing got twisted up a lot in my own mind, over the course of the year prior to experiencing conversion. To the extent that I used it to justify some fairly heinous stuff. After conversion, it still kind of stuck with me, then. But not in the same way--just in a sense that I knew I'd entirely misinterpreted the spirit of the intended message, yet had no idea what else it was supposed to mean. Then, one day not long ago, hearing someone mention Gentiles as being those who were without the law.. ..it clicked. The Law. Mosaic Law. The codified Law of our God, as given to (and according to Jesus, at least in terms of divorce, extrapolated upon by) Moses. Learning about the importance of The Law has been, therefore, kind of an ongoing thing. Even as it's summed to hinge upon loving God with one's all, and loving all others as oneself. Still, the law accomplished some interesting things, according to Paul--making sin evident, most blatantly (...again, still learning, so I'm still entirely transfixed by even that wholly inept summation).
In terms of Pharisees and Sadducees, it's becoming a point of consideration that they were (in one still limited sense) the political leaders of the day. I'd always considered them to be priests, before, but broadening comprehension of the historical setting has increasingly expanded upon such a limited interpretation. The division sounds political (of or relating to the government or the public affairs of a country...of or relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics). Wherein, thus far the only distinction wholly noted occurs both in the Gospels and in Acts, in terms of note being made of the Sadducees refusal of the doctrine of resurrection of the dead--then, further pointed out as a "hot topic of ideological debate" when Paul used that particular point to create a stir between those who were seeking to come against him in front of his Roman captor.
As a side-note, in regard to being caught up over the idea of Paul "becoming as without the law," I'd always referred solely to the King James interpretation, prior to being converted--so no other translations were taken to bear in my misinterpretation of his intended message. Ultimately, so long as the Holy Spirit is guiding interpretation and application, there doesn't seem to be much point of internal contention over which "version" of the Bible is being studied. Preference has moreso transitioned to reading between different interpretations, to attempt to gauge nuances of meaning which aren't quite evinced in King James' English. Same as with listening to sermons--if something sets off what equates to spiritual alarm, then prayer comes for redirection and clarification.
...but I used to hold this mystical sort of mindset in relation to the King James version, wherein it was viewed as somehow hiding deeper truths than the rest of the translations, as being more difficult to comprehend. As though having to struggle for the meaning meant that greater revelation would result. ..like some sort of mystical transformation would come by way of the translation, itself. (Again, I used to be very deeply involved in the occult, so that sort of mentality was just par for the course.) Point being, I favored the translation because it catered to my then-prevalent mentality of works equating to salvation. I catered to the idea of gaining revelation by course of having earned it by merit of adhering to esoteric tenets, having sought them out of the intangible depths of King James' English. Delving into the Bible as though it were a talisman, in and of itself. Which, the Lord did have such mercy as to allow me to find peace in part by way of so delving. But any insight derived was entirely muddled by my own lack of clarity. Just perforce having no direct guidance into interpretation by the Holy Spirit, did I initially misinterpret the Bible as well as its contents.
Saying all this, though, isn't to be interpreted as implication of belief that there's anything necessarily wrong, in restricting study of the Word of God to a particular "version" of the Bible. For some folks, the King James interpretation may be the one which the Holy Spirit directs to, exclusively. For some people, potentially the NIV. For others, maybe there's no Bible available, whatsoever. Just, the Holy Spirit must guide interpretation and revelation of Christ, period. Otherwise, misinterpretation holds sway. A verse which popped up in the middle of a church service in September, inciting internal alarm per inferred meaning of the passage, strictly deals with that. And, apparently it's a verse which has been used to varying ill effects for however many centuries, off and on, restricting folks from individual Bible study..
2 Peter 1
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
...which begins to make more sense, in its immediate context even.
19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
...so, although I've heard folks preach from the pulpit that Scripture isn't intended to be interpreted individually, by individual church members..as according to 2 Peter 1:20... ..no.
The intent was that we had ought know Scripture is not for private interpretation, as interpreted without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. ...as Scripture wasn't written according to individuals' inferences, but was given through prompting of the Holy Spirit; then, so is the Holy Spirit necessary when we seek to interpret what He had first inspired to be written.
In other words, without the Holy Spirit's guidance, all sorts of wrong ideas are going to come about by way of attempted interpretation and attempted application of Scripture. There'll be more divisiveness per unnecessary points of distinction than there'll be compassion and acceptance betwixt individual members of the Body of Chris...and there'll be more confusion than certainty wrought of reading.
The thing is..
...the only way to come to a place of being led by the Holy Spirit into interpretation...
...is to seek God first, in all things. And for me, at least, that definitely included a good deal of rather misdirected and completely blasphemous attempts at Bible reading and interpretation, prior to salvation. So, the same may hold true for many--seeking God may necessitate a lot of time spent in Scripture, generally speaking, even prior to being sealed with the Holy Spirit (although the Lord will definitely work as He chooses, when and in whosoever, by whatsoever means--whether that starts in the Bible, or not).
When Christ said that we are to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness...and that, then, all things [else] would be added unto [us]..
..He kind of seriously meant that, apparently. Same as with the rest of the Bible. He meant what He said, all the times and all the ways He said it... ...we're all just incapable of comprehending, except that He reveals the meaning to us. Like with the Song of Songs being allegorical of Christ's love for the Church?...for each of us? Even as there are other points of meaning to be taken, individually, within the all? How else to truly have a revelation of that, except for the Holy Spirit's revelation of the depths? It's not possible. Not with the depths, the clarity, the purity, and the profundity of such as is available, through the Holy Spirit's guidance.
He takes it from being an intellectual check-list of order in progression, when it comes to hermeneutical processes applied to interpretation while reading.. ..to becoming a Christ-centric, self-revelatory, convicting, edifying, and utterly revolutionary experience of the message.
...and the interpretation doesn't end. One revelation of Christ broadens into the next, so that each more revealing insight into the Scriptures ends up bringing to light varied bits of nuance in all which surrounds.
None of which comes without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He would guide us into all truth.
John 16
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The "all" there still catches me up, pondering. What is "all truth?" Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life... ...He is, in sum, "all truth." Yet there seems to be something surrounding that knowledge which this verse refers to. Especially considering the previous recorded statement:
John 16
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
That sounds more in accord with reference in Acts to how the Holy Spirit directed the speech, fellowship, and activities of the early apostles. Wherein there was active direction. Active guidance into truth, and active revelation.
Which, I'm still pursuing further comprehension of how certain folks have pigeonholed the role of the Holy Spirit as anything other than what it was initially proposed. Wherein there are even certain sects who propose that the teachings of Jesus were exclusively for the original 12 disciples, and not for the church. Makes no sense to me, but I can kind of comprehend how people would want to take that stance--it's "safer," as far as requiring less of those who currently profess themselves to be His followers ("believers").
Either way, no matter. People will do as they do. Many are called but few are chosen.
That lattermost phrase, there, has become increasingly prevalent these past couple days (in terms of its weightiness). Not only is being called to God's purpose a position of gracious esteem, requiring absolute reverence and subjugation to His will... ...but, further... ...the realization comes that there's a distinction between being called and being chosen.
The lattermost example of which was included as part of the bridal feast parable, wherein the one who came without a wedding garment was cast into outer darkness. Called, but not chosen.
He didn't properly attire himself. Attending a wedding feast at the Lord of the realm's abode, and he hadn't the reverence for the house to even attire himself properly. We are to be clothed in righteousness, y'all.
Faith, works, love--intermingled to the point of being inseparable, unto obedience.
Righteousness is active goodness, after all. Not restive. Not a state of "being good," but a state of having works which are good and thus attest to one's goodness.
Christ's righteousness is donned as our own, when we come to Him without guile, without regard for self, without restriction, requirement, or restraint. When we come to Him as a living sacrifice, daily taking up our own cross. He clothes us in His own righteousness. His yoke is light, truly, even as the weight of truth is gloriously uplifting as it burns away the dross in hearts and lives.
How else is there, is all?
As far as the old "you can't get there from here"-joke goes, it's more true of salvation than of anything. Except that Christ Himself said that although it is impossible with man, all things are possible with God. Just...we cannot.
He can.
And it seems, perhaps, that's one of the major points of restriction as far as modern church "growth" goes--somehow we've collectively gotten to a point where we're entirely self-reliant.
We want to prove to God that we can do it, so that He doesn't have to. To give Him some time off, or some crazy such nonsense...as we'll "let Him know when we need Him," or "when it's time for Him to show up," and in what manner, even. Preposterous, all of us.
Much of the mentality along the lines of "cleanliness is next to godliness" has infiltrated. Which is entirely works-based. And it's proliferated a dichotomy of thought in relation to faith and works which James sought to disband, yet which has even now been bolstered by misinterpretation and misapplication of some of what he'd said, as taken out of context so to apply onto other fields of concern which other apostles had confronted and addressed in epistles.
We're entirely works-based, just about. And not just works, in terms of righteousness. Works, in terms of busyness. Wherein, if you're not obviously taking on more than you can handle, you're not doing the will of God.
A very secular view of things, honestly.
Yet many things which were written in the epistles have been adapted to suit current societal trends in terms of what constitutes success.
I hadn't realized these things as prevalent to the extent they are until having ventured into some particular upstanding congregations. Which...yes, none of us are perfect.
None will be, until that final day.
But there's almost a desperation that's crept into all the churches, these days. Wherein, regardless of what the focus is, there's a sense of "we need to make sure we're doing enough of this" and "we must start doing more of that," as a means of achieving some indefinably higher "standard of godliness." A desperate striving unto works, in other words.
"Are we doing enough????"
...seems a fairly constant refrain, in one variation on that precise theme or another (even as its converse, "We are doing so much!!!")
Minding all our p's and q's (with all the varying proposed origins for such a phrase implied as inherent to the scope of applicable interpretation in this example), in other words. Very us-centric.
Which is wherein division, spirits of divisiveness, thrive. Because so long as we're focused on trying to adhere to some proposed, derived schemata of orthodoxy...which is based either wholly on theological understandings, or based upon "established understandings," or founded upon "validating experiences," then we're not focused on Christ.
And whenever we're not focused on Christ, we've stopped seeking reconciliation, we've stopped yearning for sanctification unto His image. We've begun to differentiate and divide according to other precepts and standards.
The thing which perhaps, along that line, is the most "mysterious" or paradoxical or howsoever you'd prefer..
...is that even as Christ is the only reconciliation, He is also the point of utmost division.
But...the reconciliation is unto God. The division is from the world.
The peace he gives isn't as the world gives. His peace abides. His is unfaltering. It does not waver. His peace weathers even the entire world shattering, without a single tremor.
The peace the world gives is balanced on a blade. Tenuous and requiring utmost maintenance, otherwise it falls asunder. Even as it may become "habitual" given certain practices which "maintain" it... ...still, it falls apart when circumstances change. The peace the world gives is dependent upon practice...dependent upon circumstances, then.
The peace which Christ gives comes through Him and is maintained by Him, in us. Regardless of what's going on. Like a mantle set on one's shoulders, rather than as something conjured.
That's not a very apt means of differentiating. There's still far too much...vagueness, and not nearly enough which really delineates. But for now. Just to keep working.
Again, the concern has still been the spirit of divisiveness. It's been holding such sway within me, these past many months. So, so much. And I'm still only on the verge of being delivered from it, through surrendering to the need to love rather than attempt to "diagnose." So, until then... ...just a few moments more, spent remarking upon the difficulty of the process.
Divisiveness over methods of worship, over methods of study, over methods of interpretation, over methods and means of all things in approach to Christ. Even internal divisiveness, in terms of what should be and what is.
Where is the love, in all that? Where is the trust in the Lord, as the one who will perform the work He began in us, until the day of His return?
And, again, even therein lies another point of dichotomy. For, we must trust, but part of trusting is obedience which oft entails action.
But not always, is the hinging point.
There's a false sense of desperation spawned per the frenzied desire to be obedient now. Because our idea of "obedience" is largely one which explicitly entails actions. Physical, visible, movement-entailing action.
As a society (and to many extents, as a world), we've gotten to the point where we view anything which is perceived as immobility or without visible movement... ...as being idle. Idle, in the sense of being without purpose, without direction, without inherent expression of utility. Idle, as in wasteful of implied resources.
The whole concept of perishable inventory, in terms of things like...medical care, hotel rooms, airline tickets, and the like--wherein, if a thing is not "sold" (used) on a given day, then once that day passes, the possibility of profiting from that sale is completely gone. Same idea has pervaded the world, in terms of the observed use of time.
If we're not visibly accomplishing something, there's come about a sense of there being no accomplishment. If we're not visibly working toward something which has been explicitly defined, then we're not spending time in a worthwhile fashion.
And, perhaps this is why folks have pretty much set prayer out to dry, for the duration: ofttimes, the visible results, the tangible results, the immediate effects, thus the perceived utility of prayer.. ..are entirely unquantifiable. Thus, we don't generally consider it possible to justify time spent in prayer. Regardless of what the Bible says, we still put more stock (more value) in what we see and can measure and explain and comprehend than in what we cannot.
Including God, Himself.
I'm every bit as guilty as everyone else. It's only by grace that I even see any as to be capable of remarking, and then to pray for deliverance, further deliverance.
The mire of this one particular, though..
..is so vast.
We are so wont to measure our "accomplishments as Christians" according to the same standards of progress set forth in the world, according to these particular terms, is all. But we can't.
It doesn't tally, ultimately. God is a God who requires faith, in order to be pleased. And faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So, if we're utilizing tangible, visible, remarkable junctures as sole evidence of progress, as primary assurance of development along the Christian path..
..our focus is entirely lop-sided, at the very least.
You can't listen to someone and know where they are, on the whole. Listen, yes, but watch also. Sometimes the paths trodden in silence are the most evocative of a state of being. And ofttimes, obedience requires more waiting than walking.
Brings to mind dog training, honestly. I have very, very little experience training animals. But what little there had been.. ..made it seem as though action commands were much more easily conveyed, thus obeyed, than commands which required immobility. Same as we tend, the animals always preferred to be moving in some fashion, rather than remaining motionless.
There seems a certain anxiety invoked, initially, in being told to remain stationary. To wait.
Even if there are things which need to be done, as part of the process of "waiting," there's still an overwhelming desire to be in the throes of change. There's still an overwhelming urge to be on some visible path of progress, with recordable points of progress along the course. Milestones visible, no matter how "small" or seemingly arbitrary.
We're accustomed to responding to series of "scheduled" events which constitute mile-stones of progress, or mile-markers of advance. From seasonal crop yields, to seasonal planting requirements, to yearly traditions upheld (including birthdays, as one very commonly remarkable milestone), to monthly excursions/retreats (like perhaps a once-a-month restaurant trip, or a once-a-month conversation with an old friend), to monthly bill payments, to bi-monthly paychecks, to bi-monthly grocery trips, to weekly laundromat trips, to weekly days off of work, to bi-weekly church visit, to daily periods of recreation, to daily routine reading of Scripture.
Point being, on this account--we're creatures of habit, largely. We prefer routine. We like to see and experience visible markers, tangible processes, manifest experiences which attest to the persistence of a routine, thus a process of consistency. Preferably, then, even a process of such experiences which can be notably remarked as culminating in tangible, visible, experiential progress.
And it seems, for the most part, a lot of us Christians take that same mentality and bring it into our walk with Christ, and try to conform that walk to what our lives previously were comprised of: a series of goals set and pursued, check-list style in logical order of flow and priority.
Key concept being that we attempt to make our walk with Christ conform to what modes of operation and priority drove our lives previously.
That's where all the weirdness comes in, along the lines of the dichotomies of thought which are prevalent. Even the idea of there being dichotomy of thought can seem wrong, except to realize that we're living dichotomously in Christ and in the world...from which the rest springs forth, really. Which is wherein the gate and the way are straight and narrow...they have to be--we're walking the line between two vastly disjointed realms, meaning there has to be balance. And the only way to balance, in terms of one of those two realms being invisible...is as having One who is of that realm assist progress. That One is simultaneously the only point of connection which reconciles those realms--He is thus THE Way along which we must proceed. So balanced, then, by Him and upon that precise line of reconciliation which He (His being, His life, His redemptive death, His resurrection, His sovereignty) comprises, we walk onward.
As treading along a tightrope.
Christ is that such Way.
So, every time we take our eyes off of Him...?
Of course we start to flounder, to fumble, to grasp at air!...just trying to muster any sense of balance as first comprised our walk along His way, or as constituted our initial experiences of Him.
Rather than keeping focus, letting His peace reign--rather than letting Him keep us aloft and steady.. ..there's prior prevalent, fleshly tendency to want to look around, and especially to want to look down--everything and anywhere, really, rather than to keep our eyes fixed in one direction...even in so glorious a direction as at Him beckoning us onward.
We still rather buck against admonition that we had ought only look in His direction--in only one direction, then--when we've been so accustomed to doing whatsoever we will, whensoever we will. When we've been so long accustomed to perpetual motion, perpetual grasping, perpetual fumbling, perpetual striving...rather than to rest in Him, and obey as He directs, we often choose the "safety" of familiarity of needless striving and endless anxieties over such inanities as "performance."
So, we are very wont to look around, even to often fumble, upon having thus refused His leadership (His peace and love, moreover), and we then resort to floundering about for whatsoever else might restore balance. Rather than returning directly to Him, then, most often...we instead look to what we can visibly, tangibly, experientially grasp upon.
Often, we may resort to "pushing off" of those around us, many who are similarly walking that "tightrope"...by way of comparison and contrast, inclusion and exclusion--arbitrary and needless points of distinction made, unto divisiveness...as a means of trying to reflexively define our own position, we differentiate the position of others from ourselves...rather than looking to Christ, being loved and loving, then loving others.
And...often, we may also find ourselves clinging to another person whose walk was or seems more stable than our own--a method which might help, but only so long as that one ends up directing our eyes back to Christ, exclusively.
Otherwise, each and any scenario of that sort of fumbling and "pushing off" and clinging will only become all the more unsettling for everyone even remotely impacted.
Until the eyes of all return to Christ, such unrest and division will yet reign in the hearts of those who are His. We are torn from without and within, as so perpetually lodging ourselves outside of Him--outside of His love, His peace, His provision (which isn't as the world gives, even as He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills). Which, by not seeking Him first...all of which, we have refused.
So, let us fix our eyes upon Him, then.
The author and the finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let us confess our all such sins, one to another. That we may be healed. That these rifts might be sealed. Humility is so necessary to us all. Pray that He humbles us, each and every one. Praying ardently that we may all be sealed for the day of redemption. Whoever so many as He will choose. May there be billions more.
James 5
16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4
7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
..
And this is all a mass jumble of ideas, right now. But it's various bits of things which have been points of fascination, this past week, increasingly.
So, enough for now.
I hope the Lord keeps you safe and draws you near. I pray You've had a clear vision of Him, of how absolutely, inexpressibly precious and wonderful He is...such a vision as makes sin the most loathsome thing imaginable. I'm hoping you experience Him, yourself, daily.
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