As according to my own manner of perceiving and processing, assumptions have persisted--erroneous and unrecognized--in regard to believing my own perception and manner of understanding is ordinarily shared with most, or at least would be easily explained. Finite distinctions in perspective, small though they be, apparently can constitute a world of difference in terms of communication and ability to effectively communicate, though.
We all fairly constantly assume that all others around us perceive and process circumstances and information in ways which are wholly similar to our own (such that they would reach the same conclusions or have the same reactions as we would, given exposure to the same circumstance/info). This just simply isn't the case, at all, but it's easy to neglect how deep an impact even the most slight of differences between perspective really may have upon interpretation and interaction, and especially regarding what really constitutes effective communication.
Interpretation and application of all understanding varies according to basic processes by which we each do perceive and understand. And we rarely realize that even our own most precise speech could be understood in a multiplicity of ways, rather assuming we make ourselves entirely plain in whatever way we choose to speak--syntax being precisely ordered, often, in attempt to clarify very poignantly a given message.
But the Lord has made us to be distinct. He's given us differences, so He's given us to understand differently. We, each, are finite. He, infinite. And He's varied us according to His will and pleasure, for to do so.
In some ways, this is encapsulated along Paul's contemplation of differentiation within the church--we're each formed and gifted in Christ to be differing parts of the body, with differing gifts, abilities, callings, functions, and means and methods of individual (and collective) operation. So very different, we are.
So, even as we are all the same (as human beings...in Christ, and so on) we're all utterly different.
Just as that, most basically, we each have physical features which are almost entirely unvaried: one heart, two lungs, a brain, and all the rest...
...then, not only are those similarities very apparent (enough as to make possible a scientific study of a "normal" constitution and operation), so also are disorders or deviations in form or function all the more evident because of a baseline sameness. A type of absolute, which can be seen as right order in terms of a human body. And, yet, even with that as the case...still, there's a seeming endless variation among features which are the most superficially evident and also variation of features utterly fundamental (as with perspective, issuing forth along such distinction).
We differ in those ways, without necessarily entailing evidence of disorder/dysfunction: in appearance and in essence. No two people bear precisely the same composition along those two points of differentiation: appearance and essence. So even in the case of twins, while there are definite and pronounced similarities along both those lines--down to the genetic level, even including preferences for food...but, still, there are always distinctions which differentiate. Still, even seeming the same, there are essential differences.
Yet we so often have tendency to assume similarities when it's most irregular to do so (as with assuming perspectives to be the same, despite endless variation). And tendency to assume difference when it's most detrimental (in regard to essence, despite fundamental similarities between us all).
We assume ourselves right, our way of understanding to be the best way. Our ways of acting to be the most acceptable, given it's what does work best for us. So, an appearance of difference between manners of being, acting, understanding then often is automatically considered highly suspicious, likely erroneous.
Those perceived as evidencing sufficient superficial (even if behavioural) differences then must be far more different than we could ever understand--this, often, is another equally fallacious point of division between us.
There are principles accepted in the field of psychology which are given precisely to describing these types of matters. But describing them in theory--testing them to establish prevalence and pervasiveness--doesn't do anything much more than put words to what exists (akin to Adam's being given to name all the creatures of the earth), if even then we might attempt to manipulate such principles as to further comprehend their operation and also detect and understand principles which are tangential and overlapping.
That only further distracts, though, rather than reconciling. All over the place, I hear messages of how people want healing, they want wellness--for the environment, for society, for the world, for the hurting. Seeking reconciliation through differentiation is a confounding course, though.
The fact of simultaneous sameness and difference and the ways in which these play out in and through us all...doesn't have to equate to division, though. But if we're bent on picking everything apart, we're not at work in putting it rightly together, no matter what lie we tell ourselves to the contrary.
God has made us to be who we are, individually, though...He differentiated us, according to His will...
...but when we turn away from Him, turning to ourselves and our ways of understanding--needling everything, while neglecting Him...
...it's then that differentiation becomes division, and division devolves unto dysfunction and even disease. In all spheres. In all walks. In all realms of existence. In all ways. Compounding.
He has made us. He can heal us. As it be His will, even as we must seek Him for this.
We continue to (often wordlessly, wholly unconsciously) assume our own perspective/understanding is independently/exclusively valid and sufficient unto pursuit/recognition of truth, though, thus refusing (at least partially) recognition of the inherent legitimacy of perspectives which differ from ours (oft like-mindedly maintained: different viewpoints, also considered independently/exclusively valid)...
...this simultaneously constitutes a rejection (if only silent, unconscious) of the all-encompassing, abject, and absolute validity of God's own truth/s being ever greater than our own--especially as His truths, being wholly perfect and absolute, are so much more vastly comprehensive (ultimately infinite, yeah) than could be understood according to even our most diligent and expansive endeavors to contemplate and discover any given matter (incl. attempts to understand the all of creation).
So, if we aren't seeking Him and His will and ways and His understanding and knowledge of Him, first and even to the exclusion of our own understanding--as surrendering all and subjecting all--all--thought/s to Christ... ...we're effectively contesting the supremacy of His wisdom, as even partially retaining an express favor of our own.
Which...that's painful to contemplate. Seriously.
Another way of putting this:
There are vast expanses which we are unaware that we are even unaware of, and some of those such expanses are so far beyond our current awareness, we're not even capable of becoming aware of our lack of awareness in regard to them. We aren't even near enough to realizing such a "void" in terms of present knowledge...that we can't even prod at the edges of it, so as to be able to discover some means of discerning quite what the void might be or even any means by which to approach discovering, let alone exploring, it. We are not even at the precipice of quite approaching these such things, unto discovery.
And that's just the way it is. Like as to say how near the first century civilizations were to the usage of cell phones: not even a blip on the radar. And that's still an analogy which falls far, far short of the actual disparity between what's presently known and what's constitutes our unknown unknown.
The thing about that is, when you consider the matter in terms of what would be most important to pursue unto understanding: That which is utmost essential to understanding and benefitting our existence--considering past, present, and future reality--constitutes the most necessary (being the most fundamental matter conceivable, all things else must then be tangential) focus of any pursuit unto understanding. This, just to establish what could constitute a sufficient, as fundamental, grasp on even the most basic matters of reality--within which context all things else exist, thus from such understanding all else may arise--otherwise, we find ourselves lacking sufficient context as even to claim legitimacy for otherwise purportedly "established" understanding.
Without absolute truth, a baseline from which knowledge can proceed, all things may only be known relative to one another. If that were the case, nothing could be absolutely known, but only proposed. But if something--anything at all--can be absolutely known, then there are absolutes in this universe. And if there are absolutes, then they are the fundamental building blocks for understanding unto knowledge, wholly necessary to establishing any sound understanding. And things can be known. There is life. There are trees. All of reality is expressly patterned, reflective, reflexive, recursive, redundant, sufficient that principles in the physical aren't disjointed form principles of motion, then nor would they be disjointed from principles of reasoning.
This universe is ordered. Extremely, incomprehensibly precisely ordered. Beyond chance, given what the odds are against it having come into being. It should have collapsed within less than a second of having come into existence, according to present understanding of physics. But it didn't. And so many things else which defy explanation and utterly defy chance. There is a Creator.
There is a God. One who did this. Who made this.
There is One who designed and set all this in motion, so nothing else could be more absolutely vital and fundamental to comprehending the workings of this vast wonder, except seeking truth regarding Him and His purpose and intent.
But...we are, quite simply, utterly incapable of even beginning to approach an understanding of God.
Period.
Not according to our methods.
Not according to our ability to know things.
And especially not according to our innately endowed, available means of discovery.
For Him to create implies a separateness from creation. Holiness, in other words. Complete otherness. And wholly implies an absolute supremacy and exemption...a part, in some way incomprehensible, but apart also, in some way also incomprehensible. Surely, implicitly tangent, or otherwise the all would not and could not be. And yet somehow not tangible. Elusive from our finest grasp, as being other, as being tangent, as being exempt, as being so other and so supreme.
But. All the things we study.
All the things we, as a race...as a species...as a creature being...
...all those things we are seeking to know, and which we do have any amount of seeming legitimately established theoretical and applied understanding of, at this juncture (and all foreseeable)...
...they're not even an atom on a pinhead, in terms of what exists in God, given that the matter of His having created all this means that He simply just does exceed it to an extent which is beyond our ability to detect, for existing outside the scope of our ability to detect things. He's beyond our power, quite simple. Our theories and principles, describing the "laws" of this creation are, moreover, finite descriptions of the manners according to which He's ordered this creation to exist, those certain principles of operation which He set in place when ordering matter and function. Not even a snapshot, they're so bare a glimpse of the all. Huge for us, but nothing compared to Him.
So each of those principles we've "discovered" and adapted, reinterpreted according to human terms--from our deepest and loftiest philosophies, to our most profound quantum realizations--are only interpretive, infinitesimal portraits of the majesty which He has evidenced per creation, itself.
And yet we prod, thusly? When the Creator, Himself, is the One who must--perforce the incomprehensible wonder implied by even remote witness as given per the lens of all and sundry scientific understandings, cumulative... ...He must be all the more worth pursuing unto discovery, no matter how impossible it may seem, just given that the evidences of the order which He has placed in all of creation display such fathomless power and wisdom as could only inspire abject awe and wonder...oh, to contemplate the reality of a Being so great as to have done all this!
To have created this all, though, it stands to reason that One who would do all this...surely would make some way to know Him. Since we can't manage it on our own terms, as He's so far beyond us, our own hope could be that He would pave a way for us to know Him.
And, again, why would we want to know Him: He is evidenced in all things good and joyous and well-ordered and rightly functioning--a hopeful and inspiring point.
Even we who are so far fallen from Him as to have ever denied His truths--even we can see that tragedies, deaths, diseases, suffering...these are aberrant, they are somehow deviant, not a part of the glory evidenced otherwise in all of creation. That sense of wrongness in suffering witnessed, in widespread tragedy, in individual terror, in wars and injustices--that sense of wrongness only all the more clearly evidences that for such a revulsion and horror to arise, then there is and must be a rightness which does and had contrasted so boldly and clearly as to have even given contrast to such a strong, a visceral response.
Such a compulsion, revulsion, disdain of pain, suffering, terror drives unto a desire for rightness, health, happiness. So, if all of creation--that which is rightly ordered and recognized as well--testifies to the utmost goodness of the Creator, then what higher good could be found but to seek the One from whom and in whom all goodness has come and resides.
Yet, somehow, instead...we continue doing the equivalent of prodding the mud at our feet and around us with sticks. Rather than seeking One who was capable of creating all this--creation testifying to His existence and His goodness, and reason insisting that One so great must have also made some way...some way...to have be known by His creation--such power is obviously capable of even making itself known directly, distinctly, individually...
...but rather than tirelessly seeking for truth as He thus is and must fully possess then, of all things, we rather look to ourselves for answers.
And we become mired just there.
And our pursuits unto self-guided knowledge are then fixated on detection of distinctions. Which yield false differentiations. Whereas such differences beget divisions. While, likewise, perceived similarities yield false assumptions of sameness.
Such that innate, wordless, yet compelling desires for reconciliation with our source are perverted instead unto attempts to force conformity upon those around us--confounded beyond belief, we are.
As we aren't appealing to a higher power than ourselves, then we're not appealing to anything at all as an authority. But forcing, unnaturally. Creating disorder, yet attempting to name it order. But none of us are authorities over one another, in our own right (nor even over ourselves, honestly, given what the existence of God implies, in terms of the express/inherent nature of a Creator / created relationship). So, we only possess as much authority as has legitimately been bestowed (and as remains incorrupted, once having been bestowed--authority which has been corrupted by deviation from entrusted order has ceased being subject to the power which bestowed authority, thus no longer may legitimately claim proper authority per having broken the chain of command). Further, any source of authority can only bestow equivalent to such authority as is possessed.
Doesn't seem as though there's a lot of wiggle room, then, when it comes to claiming authority. Either you have it, or you don't. And if a higher power comes along, then your authority is made wholly superfluous, if not just entirely usurped or utterly overwhelmed.
As far as corruption goes, though...we only need look to history (even recent and current events) to see evidences of what proceeds from corruption of authority. To be given it--to be bestowed with authority--means, moreover, one is entrusted with authority as to proceed in accordance with what the higher power deems right and necessary and good use of such power...being thus entrusted is being given the authority to explicitly act on behalf of the one in whom the authority truly rests. Exercising the power of the one in whom authority rests, those with authority can do many things--whatsoever the bestowing authority might undertake or accomplish would then be allowed, as on their behalf...as in the name of that presiding authority.
So, if authority rests in the laws of the land, then those to whom authority of the law is entrusted are given such authority on good faith that they will act only in ways which perpetuate and perpetrate the letter of the law's intent and demands--acting in the spirit of the law. According to the law, then, legal personnel (lawyers, judges, police, and so on) act on the authority which the law both represents and constitutes and bestows. Law, itself, constitutes both a source of authority and a representation of the authority of higher powers (governments local and federal, international); but ultimately, all authority rests with whoever has most power, influence, supremacy, so it ultimately rests in and thus proceeds from the Highest Power...God. (I don't see anyone else who's created this universe, as it goes.)
Consider what happens when personal "authority" is imposed in a way which in not in the spirit of the law, though: Judges are bestowed, especially, with a great deal of acknowledged, expected discriminatory authority, in terms of the interpretation of the law and thus its application. Mercy can be shown by them, so long as still in the spirit of the law. So long as they still proceed in a manner which accords with the spirit in which the law was given and in which it was intended, justice can be said to be done and upheld.
But given too personal an interpretation which relies more heavily on one's own understanding, rather than upon a studied, diligent interpretation of the law and of circumstances in a case...deviation from the spirit of the law may intrude in practice. Justice may become perverted.
And one very minor step at a time, such personal interjections as might have initially seemed absolutely inconsequential...gradually amount to a deviation so vast as to have equated to total revision of the law. Maybe bribes are accepted. Or maybe just a perhaps "well-meaning attempt at effecting change" is undertaken which actually equates to a total neglect of the law. Legislating from the bench is one phrase I've heard used to describe certain manifestations of that sort.
Problem is, it undermines the very source of authority--the fount from which it was bestowed and in which it actually rests and remains (regardless being broken, the law remains in place--disorder results as society breaks down when justice is perverted...but the law remains unchanged), and thus is order cumulatively disrupted. Because, ultimately, there are absolutes. And that means that there are certain things which simply, by nature of their very being...cannot be undermined, truly. Rather, deviation in any way from such an absolute instead constitutes a deviation, a breaking away, from right order. The nature of an absolute can only be what it is, after all--by definition, it doesn't and won't change. So, if a thing which claims to proceed from/align with an absolute (or source of authority) at any instance fails to align with whatsoever most basically constitutes the nature of said absolute, then deviation has occurred, unto disorder. The truth doesn't change, but those things which deviated become increasingly disordered as they traipse further and further from truth.
It is, as Shakespeare said, "To be, or not to be...," as the two are not simultaneously possible for a matter of absolutes, then so it must follow (ultimately) for all which has foundation upon any absolute. Either it's in alignment, in subjection to truth. Or it's not. And if not, then there's disorder.
So, when or where any sort of differentiation exists, unless it is wholly without deviation from the source--unless without deviation from whatsoever absolute is foundational--disorder results and multiplies (this, in terms of differentiations which equate to a bestowing of authority along multiple functional orders which still align with a given absolute, but differentiate as a matter of multiplication of power--like with law being the fount of authority for diverse functional roles which yet vary significantly in duties/methods, while nonetheless retaining the very same source of authority).
Same with all things, ultimately. Which, again, is where consideration of necessary differentiation of function comes in, physiologically, whether regarding the human body or nations or a group of individuals who collectively consider themselves a church.
As with authority, the same principles apply regarding functional operations of all things: Wherever there is deviation from right order, disorder becomes increasingly manifest...compounding. And this yields so many different sorts of disease, even sometimes as severe disunity. Like with a severely diseased limb or organ, which either doesn't function or is harming the body...the entire system will suffer, even to such an extent that infection may overtake the whole body. Sometimes amputation is even necessary, just to keep the entire system from shutting down under the weight of burgeoning infection.
But even if infection or disease isn't severe enough to warrant amputation, still the whole body suffers and struggles from a lack of wellness in any constituent parts. Seriously suffers, such that over time...a life will be shortened, and other organs will begin to suffer and lack. One thing begets another, of disorder, disease, especially left untreated. Like with kidney failure, where the physical representation and carrier of life--the blood--becomes so infused with toxins it must be forcefully filtered by process of dialysis: one's own blood mechanically drained, filtered, and reintroduced, just to maintain life.
And what sort of manifestations akin even to that process might be considered in terms of the church?
We lament sin as ultimately unavoidable given our innate inabilities, while simultaneously professing Christ's all-sufficiency. We peer down our noses over points of doctrinal difference and perceived errors in worship, seeking out faults in one another's faith, while preaching the reconciliation and forgiveness of Christ. It seems dichotomy, apparent contradiction...
And we despair of ourselves, or claim to. But do we? Do we despair of ourselves, truly--in context of who Jesus Christ is? Or do we do so only in terms of our own understanding, in reflection upon our own weakness?
When, oh, when...will we come to the end of ourselves? And just cry out to Him for deliverance?
We cannot accomplish the things we must. We are not capable.
But He is. And He is willing. The grace we need just to survive the day is freely given in Him, and all spiritual blessings are ours, in Christ...
...but, yet, we live divided, complacent, comfortable lives?
When a world around us...is dying.
Dying. In sin.
For any one of us to have been shown such mercy and grace as even to have heard the name of Jesus Christ, let alone to have actually come to know Him, unto salvation...
...oh, but we are indebted at a rate beyond fathoming! The love we have received, the love we walk in...
...and would we hoard that?
Or only give of such a paltry, weak thing as finances and passing moments?
We must pray.
He...Christ...God...the Holy Spirit as He dwells with us...is capable of all things.
Beyond our reckoning. Beyond our ability to even begin to imagine.
And the world is perishing.
My brothers...oh, my sisters!
What are we doing, fighting amongst ourselves and arguing distinctions?
Can we not trust Him, to keep us and to line us out, so long as we stay near to Him and in His Word?
So, please. At least we must pray, at least we must just ceaselessly entreat Him that He glorify His name in all the earth, that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven--even through each of us. Oh, we must pray.
And read.
And love one another. Not looking at distinctions. But loving and edifying in Christ: speaking the truth in love, with love, lovingly. (Love)
There are a lot of things going on right now that are waaaaay above our pay grade. He gave us authority--yes, He did. He embued us with Power from on High, no less. His Spirit dwells in us! (Dwell on that for a while, yes. Is good--entirely overwhelming.)
And know this: it's every bit as much a conviction to me, as to say it, so this is said with a hanging head, begging forgiveness...
...but even though He dwells in us, and we are indeed co-heirs with Christ, even now...
...this does not make us God, nor make us like Him.
And our own understanding, applied to any matters which are His or which proceed as a matter under purview of His authority (i.e., everything)...well, yeah...that whole thing about legislating from the bench pretty much applies. Entirely, it does.
We are a mess, my friends. Even of those who truly, deeply love Him...on the whole, there seems much restraint from having given and continually giving all to Christ. Ardently. Unceasingly.
I continually hear talk of revival, though, of how much the world needs revival. Of how much the church needs revival. Even the blessed saints with whom I most frequently fellowship--wonderful, precious brethren whom the Lord has so inconceivably blessed me as to know--they pray often for revival.
So many times, though, I ask the Lord about this. When moments of ardency arise while appealing to Him, as with them emerges a sense of tension bearing desire for restraint of such evident passion, disrupting instances when appeals otherwise are upon a precipice, near becoming such wholehearted cries as are truly broken, wholly un-self-conscious appeals to Christ, thus comprised of naught but faith, belief, and desire for Him, such as He so requests of us and seems quite quick to fulfill...
...but, this...in so many places, so many ways.
And I ask Him. What, of this?
We ask for revival.
But again and again, this yet comes to mind:
Count the cost.
It is ourselves.
Our comforts.
Our complacencies.
Everything.
And what we give, we are given.
But not without a cross to bear.
All those things, with persecution.
Count the cost.
Do we want Him more than we want this world?
...more than we want these lives we've built for ourselves?
...more than a regular schedule?
...more than sleep?
...more than comfort?
I don't know what all there is entailed in whatever this is that's coming...whether there's anything other than more of the same, just further evidenced--further and deeper distractions, further decomposition of society, and more total delusion pervading the world.
It has gotten deep out there, whether you've noticed it or not. And if you haven't, that's serious reason to fear His omnipotence and sovereignty. Because, if you haven't noticed how deep and dark things are, you're operating under the delusion to some extent, most likely. Which we choose to do, and He allows us. So be terrified, knowing He's allowed you to slip into delusion...if that's what it will take to drive you to Him, then let it be so.
But know also that He does deliver, And perfect love casts out fear.
He loves perfectly. His love is perfect. None of this madness of the world. Nothing of the wretchedness. Chaste, pure, all-consuming. Complete.
And we're to love as we are loved. And from what I hear, the darkness makes the light seem to shine all the more brightly, by contrast.
So, count the cost.
And know He's worth it, and so much more.
A million times over and still, He is.
He is the one who paid
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