All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Today, I would like to share a little reflection that has been occupying my thoughts recently, so this post will not be very lengthy. I honestly do not recall what I was thinking about, or how this thought came to my mind, but it was more or less of a question that applied to myself, and to (I hope) many Christians throughout the world. In case you haven't noticed, there has been a growing rave in Christian circles concerning supernatural manifestations, especially prophecy. Now, I think that this rave was initially the start of a good thing: the Pentecostal movement -- people who actually believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit works among consecrated believers today, just as He did when He fell upon the Upper Room assembly in power 2,000 years ago.
We have seen an explosion in this country of supernatural healings and prophecies and similar miracles that were reported in the New Testament. This is a good thing; I'm not about to criticize it. In recent decades, however, a growing over-emphasis on the manifestation, and not the real thing, has begun to show itself among these charismatic groups. It seems to have come to the point where we will stamp anything that bears a semblance of supernatural power as coming from God, and we have ignored the standards and warnings set forth in Scripture. We have put more emphasis on the signs and wonders someone performs than upon the quality of their personal character, which the Scripture places as a high, high priority. We have put more emphasis on prophecies (whether genuine, or merely so-called) than upon the words of God, which were written down by holy men as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). This same Word is that standard by which we judge prophecy. It even instructs us to do this very thing: "Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
So the question that came to my mind was this: In comparison to other things that we perceive as being from God, how much do we value His Word? -- the Word which God Himself breathed (the Greek word used for "inspired" in today's passage means "breathed" literally), the Word which thousands of saints have died just for copying and preserving up to the present time, the Word which God oversaw, so that what was written thousands of years ago has been accurately conveyed to us today, the Word from which neither one jot nor one tittle will pass, though heaven and earth should be destroyed, until all is fulfilled. God has confirmed this Word more than anything we can imagine, and yet, the Church in America is so ignorant of this Word. And think of this: are we as eager to read and study the Scriptures as we are to read the latest headline, or the latest prophetic ministry update? Or do we truly realize that the Bible that collects dust on our shelves contains everything that God wants to say to us; it contains everything we need for life and for godliness."[The Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether [the things spoken by Paul] were so" (Acts 17:11).
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Excellent! It reminded me of this Scripture:
Matthew 7
21 ¶ "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
And about how much we value God's Word... our actions should show how much we value His Word. If you value something, you don't ignore it. (like you said) Do we read it, study it, meditate on it, and hide it in our hearts?
As Gloria Copeland said... Where you spend your time is where your desire will be.
Thanks again for this excellent post!
(Check out my WFW at http://reneescoffeebreak.blogspot.com)
There are probably many answers to your question, Herky, but this verse is what came to my mind:
"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)
I think oftentimes those who are chasing signs and wonders are doing so because it avoids the cross. Just like some people hide behind great knowledge of the scriptures, but don't seem to be changed by all their knowledge, so, too, some hide behind "spiritual" activities, but their lives go on as usual.
They are seeking signs of Christ or knowledge of Christ - instead of Christ. And most often, they want no part of dying to self or embracing the cross - and so they are changed by neither, spending their lives ignorant of the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Thanks for posting this. As always, you get the wheels turning. :)
Great post, and excellent point. The vast majority of Christians today have a form of godliness, but deny it's power thereof. We must remember that the rock upon which we were founded is Christ.
Thanks, again, Herky!
Ah!! God's "breathed" word to us in ABSOLUTELY supernatural!! Great post. From the "holy men of old" who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, to the incredible preservation of the writings throughout the centuries, God's word is definitely a miracle, I'd say!
Thank you all for reading and leaving your very thoughtful comments. Renee and Alice, welcome to my blog! Thanks for leaving your links.
Renee, I have been meditating on that passage in Matt. 7 a lot. Maybe I will do a WFW on it. Your words concerning how we measure our own evaluation of God's Word are so true. Thanks for leaving your link. :)
Jean, thanks for the verse. I probably don't have as much experience as you do in these matters, but from what I have observed, I can see that what you are saying about focusing on the goodies that God has to offer, instead of God Himself, is true. It is easier to be blessed by God than to be changed by God, because usually change in us is accomplished by some suffering and self-denial on our part.
But as Paul said, "I do not consider the sufferings of this present life worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us." What is a little suffering to come closer to God, compared with what Jesus went through to make the way for us to come to God in the first place?
Alice, you are welcome. Thanks for your comment. You have a great blog. I promise I will be more attentive to reading and leaving comments in the near future.
Rebecca, VERY true. God's word IS supernatural. It's only when we become distracted from God, and start focusing on ourselves that we miss that. And yes, the Bible is a miracle, too. :)