Again: seek the source. There's far, far too much distraction and confusion abounding at this point for anything less to ultimately suffice unto deliverance, salvation.
Consider: What do we truly serve, most often, when seeking to order our understanding according to particular precepts given as traditional practice? Right theology, right doctrine, right doxology?
But do we more often serve God or
ourselves, by accumulating what knowledge we consider appropriate to these ends?
This is a matter which must be brought before Him, continually and individually, as much as
all matters ought--especially, though, given that knowledge
without love leads to arrogance (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). Knowledge which isn't securely seated in love increases pride. Pride is opposition to God, whatever form it takes, as it effectively directs worship due Him in alternate directions.
These are hard-bought lessons for anyone who understands them, given the humiliation necessary to be able to speak without being prideful, necessarily keeping head bowed and eyes focused upon the Lord for direction of heart, though, speech, and act. As is right.
Increasingly pursued.
There's a vast trap set for so many, along the lines of prideful knowledge, in terms of modern cultural climate and what it hails as most necessary and the best good for all. This, especially as
some particular tenets set forth by the world have their origin in godly pursuits, thus even seeming superficially beneficial, in instance.
Such as instance of esteeming the pursuit of knowledge (ostensibly, unto betterment of self and others).
Even given a superficial consideration, this seems very good. There are many Scriptures which...if taken individually, considered out of context
of the entirety of Scripture...make it seem as though this is actually a godly pursuit, in itself without need for further context or consideration. As though
any ardent pursuit of knowledge is automatically aligned with God's will.
But we must
never forget that the
heart of every matter is what decides nature and effects. If the greatest of all commandments are to love God and love others, then what deviates from those points has already gone off course. To love Him is to desire, wholeheartedly, to obey Him. To love others is to desire, even at expense of self or temporary discomfort unto actual betterment, to see others helped. As part of this, it's good to reflect upon what love--
true,
pure,
godly love actually looks like. For instance, love
doesn't blindly accept, encourage, or promote the destruction of beloved others--even if it's what they would choose, then love would still entreat them not to self-harm. Neither does love belittle, disparage, or mock the beloved for perceived
or actual error, but rather love grieves what harms those who are beloved--yearning to do whatsoever love of God and of others would permit, unto reconciliation and wellness, rather than sitting aloft in
even right judgment unto condemnation or any sense of justification of self.
Love does not exalt itself above others. It does not seek to divide, but accepts separation that comes by course of love with sorrow. Love doesn't boast of superiority. It doesn't esteem itself superior, but as servant of all.
So, attainment of knowledge cannot be an act unto itself, unless
it simultaneously increase love of God which will always increase love of others, or otherwise getting knowledge yields to further indulgence in and edification of pride. Increased knowledge, according to its nature, expands individual perspective/awareness--this will either exalt or humble self, depending entirely upon the spiritual context in and of and unto which learning takes place.
This is vital.
Especially given that further context in Scripture (which could deviantly be used to promote knowledge as rightful pursuit, unto itself, if taken out of context of the whole of Scripture)...
...shows that without knowledge, we
actively forsake freedom and actually contribute to bringing about our own captivity (to wrong ideas, wrong beliefs, and whatsoever else...though instances have also been as unto foreign cultures, when the former of these have been fulfilled unto manifestation of this such reality in physical circumstance).
We are actually
destroyed because of our lack of knowledge.
Yet, as with all things, the
world's proliferate emphasis upon the high value of knowledge and understanding...still
requires discernment in approach:
There's a fundamental truth to utmost necessity of such pursuits as knowledge; however, there's also simultaneous,
abject need for proper
context of development for each and all such pursuits. This, just in order not to have such pursuits become stumbling blocks...as to pursue them in a way which actually honors God, rather than esteeming self. A minute, but absolutely vital distinction which requires God-given discernment.
That's the way things are on all fronts, moreover. All things which, in themselves, seem to superficially present an appearance of goodwill and righteousness...if lacking a vital core alignment with God's actual nature and will...actually amount to destruction.
As another brief consideration along these same lines (albeit, conversely expressed), regarding the necessity of
actual alignment with God's will and nature...
in terms of variations in express embodiment of such an alignment:
Consider part of Jesus' eulogy for His cousin John, recorded by Luke and Matthew:
John lived a fasted live, in terms of diet
and society, and he
never consumed "fruit of the vine" (no grape juice, period)...all to the glory of God, as called to prepare the way for Christ.
Alternately, Jesus ate and socialized
comparatively liberally, even as still always to the glory of the Father as expressly in accord with His will. (I'm not convinced, personally, that
any wine Jesus consumed or created was alcoholic (i.e., anything
other than new wine/unfermented): the Old Testament largely decries consumption of intoxicating beverages; plus, in this instance He was specifically quoting
rumors, so
not expressly describing His
actual mode of interaction in that
He was reciting slander). Point being, though--Jesus didn't shun the company of people who requested His presence--not sinners nor the self-righteous. He openly engage with others regardless of their way of life, yet without ever compromising His message (we have many examples recorded as proof of this).
But those who were the religious elite of the day said John was possessed of a demon--because of the way he lived--and that Jesus was a glutton and drunkard, a friend of sinners, and eventually also called Him demon possessed--because of the way He lived.
Outward manifestations of obedience to God the Father differed vastly between these two, yet Jesus said wisdom was vindicated in all who heeded her. (As a side-note: Where did they each get
their direction?...because I'm pretty sure (like, 100% confidence) none of
us are capable of doing a better job of conforming to God's will and character than Christ--God Incarnate. He
knew Scripture
inside and out, He
composed it.
And He was led/directed/inspired/empowered by the Spirit of God, which is
His Spirit,
always...
so...should we be any less dependent on His Spirit?)
Same difference here, is the point. You could undertake pursuit of something which might
seem good, conforming
externally to what the world and the church
both (or either one) say is a right and godly and worthwhile course...while
actually creating a shipwreck of your faith, in the process. Just as, alternately, two different people may have two seemingly contradictory manners of serving the Lord which externally lack apparent similarity, seeming even discordant....while, actually, both are serving the Father with utmost reverence and devotion (consider that the One who was accused of excess and of lawlessness was the only One who has
never sinned: how great an indication of the utmost necessity of
seeking to be conformed to God's individual will for us each?).
He has to deliver us even from ourselves, in terms of discerning and obeying the will of God, though.
Otherwise, our hearts will always be divided between what seems right and what we want to do and what God's express will
actually is for each of us--not to mention all the other potential side-tracks that come up, time to time.
One of the major movements these days, though, in terms of church doctrine...assiduously and in-the-name-of-good undermines the individuality of God's guidance of each those who are His--ultimately undermining the actual nature of salvation, in effect, in claiming a moratorium on so-called "extra-Biblical" revelation.
Despite that we have been told that the Holy Spirit is with us to lead, prompt, guide, and teach us (John 14:26, John 16:12-15, 1 John 2:27). And, further, He is with us even to direct our steps (Psalm 25:8, Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:34), even
telling us which is the way to walk. All while going before us
and keeping our rear guard--He
makes our paths straight (apparent, clearly defined, certain). Also, He will give us the very words we are to speak, in instances where we
are given to speak (Luke 21:14-15).
And ultimately, unless we're being led by the Holy Spirit, in terms of doctrine and action and even our
reading of Scripture, we can't even recognize truth, period (John 14:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). No matter what course of study we sign up for, no matter how many centuries of attestation to success there may be of that course, no matter what our perception otherwise might be...
unless the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ directly intervenes in and unto and with each and every single one of us,
individually, as and in what ultimately
actually equates to an "extra-Biblical revelation
of Himself" unto
each of us...we could recite words all day, but the "truth" of what we're saying will only ever go skin deep, if even that.
Salvation
is an extra-Biblical revelation of Christ, to each and every who
are saved. Otherwise, it's not salvation. Scripture speaks of this, and the words don't make the experience take place--Jesus,
Himself, does. The
living Spirit of God, intervening directly and personally and
individually in each person's life...
according to Jesus' love and mercy, the Father's good will, in that instant changing a spirit, changing a heart...
...
is salvation.
We don't make this happen.
He does. And either
He is
intimately involved--you know, the whole "coming to dwell"-thing, a "guarantee"-given as a "seal?"...or we're not saved, we've not been reborn. Our only hope is to throw ourselves on His mercy, all in all.
Which is whereby this bit about "extra-Biblical revelation" being heresy is
actual heresy, having created a false-dichotomy of sorts (attempts at self-preservation are wont to do such) which masquerades as helpfulness while actually attacking the very truth of the gospel:
Either He reveals Himself
outside of Scripture.
Or
Salvation is no longer possible.
Period.
So what strange argument is it that Scripture is the end of God's revelations unto and to us, that we need
nothing more? Which, again...
precludes active work being done by and
yet to be completed by God,
outside the record of the book.
The claim is patently false, or otherwise there's no longer salvation and neither you nor I could exist, for not having had our names written therein.
You can't have it both ways, along that front: you can't say there's
no "extra-Biblical revelation" of and by God and
still claim the God whose works and words and nature are on record therein is the one you're actually serving. Otherwise, you've set up a miasma of contingencies based on extra-Biblical reasoning which ever becomes all the more convoluted as to have made and supported such a claim. And the more convoluted a thing becomes, the more rife for error.
Which, perhaps oddly enough it might seem, is also why "black and white" theology gets you nowhere: You pigeonhole God and you've effectively made an idol of
something (self), because God
cannot be pigeonholed. (Question Job.
And His friends. God
effectively told them
all they were in error. For that matter, check out what Isaiah recorded, in terms of God's thoughts.)
Which, again...is why there's
utmost and unarguable need to return to the source.
God.
Go to God.
Ask Him.
Talk to Him.
He's the only one who actually understands Himself.
He's the one with the power.
He's the one who will pull together all the loose wires, tie up all the loose ends. Whatever they be.
He's done so much for me, even, and still...there are
many things more to continue to seek Him for--there always will be more to seek Him for: He's
endless.
So, whatever there is, however vast the need...He is the answer, ultimately.
Whether He calms the storm or calms
you in the midst of it, still...
And, alternately, if You don't believe you have need of Him, then your need is
far greater than even those who are
aware their state of lack.
Our Creator cares and wants to intervene.
The world is being given over to the perverse desires of our hearts, at this point: darkness has grown thick, lack of understanding abounds, lovelessness is increasingly abounding (and false love, also, which seeks
only to placate or exalt rather than
actually help or deliver).
Thinking things are well in the world is either a matter of resting securely in Christ while earnestly praying for those who have yet to seek Him unto salvation...or of being so deep in delusion wrought per sin as to be insensible of the darkness. Or...maybe...maybe it's not necessary for you to be aware of it, but only of Christ. Ultimately so. Unto love.
Love will overcome. It already
has.
We're just awaiting His return, whenever that day may be--yet even 2000 years ago, He admonished us to watch and pray, as we don't know when He'll return...but that we should guard against becoming slack. We're 2,000 years nearer the point of His return now than even when He spoke that dire, sincere, and heartfelt warning.
So, in the meantime, we have opportunity
and duty to draw nearer to Him, to Christ. To know Him, ever more deeply, so to be increasingly conformed to His image, to be saved to His life, to
do His will. Of peace. Of hope. Of love.
Or otherwise remain in darkness: we're permitted, though warned against it...again and again, as it's unto our own destruction. But we're allowed to remain in opposition to Him, in this life. Unto our own destruction, if that be the course. Despite that He made a way to be reconciled, and offers reconciliation freely to all who come to Him. He loves immensely. And the weight of His love will fall upon us all, yet burning like absolute and eternal fire upon those whose hearts are given to opposition, malice, and self-indulgence...those who, in truth, actively despise Him.
So we're all called to make peace with Him, now, while there's time. All will be seasoned with fire. As purification or condemnation.
Don't let your own heart condemn you--He's willing to birth love in hearts which only know unrest, uncertainty, fear, conflict, distraction, and all whatever other manner of animosity and distress there be.
He's willing to take a heart which has grown hard against actual, pure love, and bring it to life.
He died for this. And lives for it, now.
So, ask and continue to ask...until your desire for change becomes true. And even then, keep asking--from image to image, transformed.
Never stop asking until You fully know the Truth...until You fully know Christ, Himself (an eternal quest!).
The Truth will set you free.
No one else can.
