Don’t Panic—Be Still…

Last December this writer posted a blog based on Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”. Since that posting, as so often is the case when someone preaches on something, times and events provided circumstances that have tested my faith concerning the things I wrote. Yesterday, one more opportunity to learn in the School of Trust has presented itself following a routine visit to my doctor. My yearly check-up revealed something that needs immediate attention. While arrangements for treatment for this condition have been made, along with much prayer, concerns over how serious the matter could be, along with guarded statements from my doctor, have fed my natural inclination to panic. Amid the countless thoughts swirling inside my brain since the hour of my visit to my doctor, I hear the still small voice of God’s Word saying, “Be still.”

It seems, sometimes that it takes circumstances such as these when I am forced to face my own mortality, to remind me of what is the basic principle of the Christian life—be still and know that God is God and I am not. When problems come up, whether they are my own or those of others around me, I want to fix things, to make everything right. And so, I begin my mental calisthenics through which I attempt to work out solutions to problems I soon find I am ill equipped to solve.  So much futile effort and much frustration on my part could be avoided if I can only learn to first go in complete faith and trust to my Heavenly Father, Who has been and always will be, in complete control.   In fact, this is what the Gospel that leads to salvation is all about.

To fully understand why this matter of being still and knowing that God is God is so central to the whole teaching of the Bible we have to go back to the Garden of Eden. It was there that the old serpent made the promise that man did not need God. In fact, by disobeying God man would know good and evil and would “be as (on the same level—equal to) God (Genesis 3:5).” This is now the state of man, having cast God out of our lives we substitute our own selves attempting to be little gods. While the knowledge of what is good is still within us according to Romans chapter one, we all “like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; Isaiah 53:6a. The Bible is clear that there is none that is truly good (Romans 3:12). This then, is why there is so much evil in this world. Men, having rejected divine authority,  do what is right in their own eyes (judges 17:6). While many esteem themselves to be good, this is only by comparing themselves to others. God, however sees our hearts and has declared that the heart of man “… is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:…(Jeremiah 17:9”.

This indeed is the hopeless situation of man until we consider the rest of Isaiah 53:6,  “and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The New Testament more fully explains what this all means. Man has sinned (Romans 3) but Jesus died for our sins, blotting out the ordinances that were against us, “… and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross (Colossians 2:14)”. Man can be restored to his intended relationship with God by receiving God’s Son, trusting and relying upon what He did for us on the Cross (John 1:12; 3:16). This is what Jesus meant when He said “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Man died in the Garden of Eden, just as God promised in Genesis 2:17. Man’s spiritual death was immediate. His physical body began to die immediately as well. Paul calls man’s present condition as being in a body of death from which he (Paul) yearned to be freed. (Romans 7:24). And so, the words of Jesus make sense, “we must be born again.” This is the great salvation from man’s sinful condition offered to each and every one of us. We begin a new relationship with our Heavenly Father which includes a new nature that is alive to Him. We have a promise concerning our physical bodies as well. They too will be changed at the coming of Jesus Christ and “this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54)”. What a wonderful salvation we are promised.

There are two words in the New Testament that are used in relation to receiving this salvation. In John 1:12 we see them both. There we are told to receive and to believe. The connection between these two words is strong. We are to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives and to believe in Him, by accepting Him to be Who He said He is, God the Son John 8:58, and trusting in His provision for us on the Cross. Romans 10:13 says, it clearly, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Where man died in the Garden of Eden by rejecting God’s authority over him, he now has the opportunity for new life through receiving God back into his life by trusting the Son of God to do what we cannot. When we make such trust, the words of Psalm 46:10 resonate within us. “Be still”—cease from your own efforts to achieve what I have promised, and “know”--understand and acknowledge—“that I am God”.

Unfortunately, we have versions of the Gospel today that promise a relationship with God on man’s terms instead of what God has outlined for us. Foremost is religion where men seek to earn God’s favor through works.  Instead of placing faith in what God did for us on the Cross at Calvary, religion binds men to a system of dos and don’ts in an effort to earn God’s favor. More insidious though is a very common teaching that sounds close to the Gospel but would have us remain as little gods. Naming a Jesus that is anything but God the Son described in Scripture, this false gospel contains the concept that we have the authority of God to name what we desire and to claim it. While some who teach the “name it—claim it” practice of faith, do not openly hold to the doctrines of a false Jesus, they do reduce God, to the subservience of men, subjecting Him to men’s wishes. While claiming to hold to the principles of salvation by grace, the name-it, claim-it teachers replace works religion in which man seeks to earn God’s favor, with one that demands it. This is so far from the teaching of Psalm 46:10 as to be its direct opposite.

The teaching if Psalm 46:10 is clear, not only in the matter of salvation where I am to trust that He has done for me what I cannot do for myself, but also in my daily walk. When I receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my life, I acknowledge that He is God and I am not. This is salvation, the new life and the rebirth that I so desperately need. However, I don’t always live accord to this faith. Paul in his tongue twister section of Romans seven described the situation as knowing what to do but not always doing it. Living in the new life that God gives is something of a battle between my old and new natures. So often do I forget and begin to take back control of my life. So often do I forget to be still and to know that God is God and I am not.

And so this morning, as I reflect on the circumstances before me, I am reminded of Who God is. He is the One Who created all there is to see. He made me. He brought me to saving faith in His Son. He has supplied all my needs and has promised to continue doing so. He knows my circumstances, and while I do not know exactly what he will do, I do know He loves me and has promised to work all things together for good to those that love Him. I can only pray, “Lord, I love you. Help me to love you more. Help me to love You enough to trust Your love for me. Help me to be still and know that You are God.”

When God Chooses Not To Heal

My brother was forty-nine, a loving husband and father faithfully serving as a pastor for several years. While others who had graduated with him from seminary when to population centers where it would be possible to grow large churches, he had a burden for the people in his hometown in rural New York State.  His desire was to see people won to Christ and established in Him. Then came a time when his personality seemed to change. He began to act in poor judgment with the result that people around him were becoming alienated. He gave up his position of pastor at his church. Then, the news came that he had a malignant brain tumor. Those of us who knew and loved him were stunned. Prayer was made from all quarters, but his illness continued to progress. Before the year went by from the time he was diagnosed, his worn out body gave out and he passed from this earth.

Some would question as to how and why this would happen to one of God’s servants. Why did God not choose to heal this one for whom so many were praying? Why did God not choose to hear my brother’s own prayers? Was it sin on his part? Was it, as some would suggest, that those of us that were praying were doing so ineffectively not expecting and demanding the healing to come? However, one day during the time of his illness my brother shared with me what he saw was going on in his life. He related that he felt one day God speaking to him in the stillness of his heart telling him, “I can heal you, by taking away this cancer, but you will still have the problems you were having, or I can take you home and be glorified in your passing.” I still remember my brother’s words, “I choose to let God be glorified.” He later passed and the church building where he had been serving was packed with those who came to honor this one who had served God so faithfully. And God was glorified.

I am sure there are those who would have definite disagreement with this story as I have related it. The basic facts, however, are undisputable, for I was there and can attest to them. The major disagreement would be over the implication that God would purposefully choose not to heal my brother and that His choice was not based on a lack of faith, or misguided prayers, but simply that His purpose and plan involves something greater than what we who were praying could imagine. For many who profess to know the Savior, it is difficult to accept the idea that God does not always choose to heal our physical bodies when illness comes and to accept the idea that God can receive glory even when His child is in the midst of illness.

I was given a book recently that presented the case for faith healing. The book is considered a classic and represents the thinking of those who stress faith healing. While it is not my purpose to answer the arguments presented in this book because of limited time and space, I do want to address three suppositions the author makes. He presumed it is never God’s plan for Christians to have illness. He also alleged that Christians will be healed if they have enough faith and that it is evidence of a defective or weak faith that prays, “God’s will be done”. Christians, according to this author, have the right to demand and expect healing in every case, with anything less being a denial of the Blood that bought them.

The arguments for faith healing can seem to be quite convincing until they are put under the scrutiny of Scripture. For example, the fact is, Scripture reveals that God does not always choose to heal. Consider the case of David’s son (2 Samuel 12). David prayed that God would deliver His sick child yet the child died. David did not turn on God nor did he blame a weak faith. Instead, he picked himself up and went about his business proclaiming with eyes fixed on eternity that he would someday be reunited with his child. Paul, addressed the issue of physical infirmities in 2 Corinthians 12 when he mentioned his “thorn in the flesh”. While the faith healers cannot conceive that this could be a physical condition Paul is referring to, Paul made it clear when he declared that God’s grace is sufficient and that he would glory in his infirmities. The word translated infirmities is virtually always taken to mean physical weaknesses elsewhere throughout the New Testament writings. Later, when writing to Timothy, Paul addresses Timothy’s stomach issues with, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23). Paul acknowledged Timothy had reoccurring physical infirmities, but did not advise him to claim divine healing, but rather to learn how to deal with them through ordinary means available. Paul was aware that God does not always choose to heal.

Consider the following passage: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it (Romans 8:18-25). In this passage, Paul describes the physical decay of this present time. All creation suffers. All creation is subject to pain and decay (corruption). Paul goes on to inform us that we have not yet received relief from this physical decay (as faith healers proclaim) as he states that we groan within ourselves waiting in hope for the redemption of our bodies.

The next two verses in Romans 8 make things even clearer. 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. In these verses Paul is still talking about physical infirmities (from the context of vv. 18-25) when he says we don’t even know what to pray for, but the Spirit of God searches our hearts and intercedes for us according to the will of God.

If then we are to pray according to God’s will what hope is there for people who have just received the diagnosis of a terminal disease or other severe illness. Their lives have been turned upside down and they look for something to hold onto. Their future that once appeared to be so secure has turned into a very uncertain one. And so they search for certainties in an uncertain world. Enter those who promise faith healing with the promise that God has given us the power to heal ourselves promising that those who are ill, have but to claim their healing. It doesn’t seem to make any difference to these advocates of faith healing that they are taking the matter out of God’s hands, consequently ignoring the sovereignty of God and in its place exalting the autonomy of man. This is not unlike what took place in the Garden of Eden as described in Genesis three. There we read the story of man’s fall from grace. Adam rejected the sovereignty of God, taking up the offer to “be as God” in His place. Indeed, that is what the fall from grace is all about. All of Adam’s race have sought to be our own god ever since. Jesus came so that we can receive God back into our lives and live according to His will, trusting Him for His goodness. However, faith healers in their assumptions claim unto themselves the authority that God has reserved for Himself. It is no accident that it is common for them to refer to themselves as “little gods”.

The fact is, we can expect to face all manner of circumstances that are unpleasant and undesired by us, which is why Paul next exhorts,  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). In the Book of Ephesians, Paul prayed that God would strengthen his readers in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16) and proclaimed that God is able to do far above what we can ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). The problem with those that promote the idea of faith healing by demand is that they do not consider that can be glorified in any way that He chooses. Should we not then pray as did Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, “Thy will be done.” If these were the words of our Lord and Savior, why should they not be ours as well? True faith takes all our circumstances and places them into the hands of our gracious, living God, trusting His love for us, and expecting the outcome to be His best for us even when we may not understand until eternity comes.

Should we, then, not pray for God to heal our bodies? No. Not praying would contradict what we see in Scripture. We are to pray, but not demanding, but trusting God to give us His best. There is nothing more certain than God’s love for us. While we might not know what He will do, we do have His promise that He loves us with the certainty that He will work all things together for our good. In addition, He has promised to provide all our needs (Philippians 4:19) and to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even in illness we have the certainty of His provision for us. Whether this provision is healing or some other way, God will provide, for we are never out of His care. All He asks is that we trust Him. That is neither weak nor misguided faith.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Real Faith

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” This is the victory cry that those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ rally behind as we face challenges to our faith. We know that salvation comes not by anything we do but as a result of belief in a risen Savior.  We know that we become the children of God, heirs of His kingdom which is exciting news, but then the harsh realities of life set in. We may be saved but all our problems don’t immediately go away. Material needs persist. Health may be an issue. Relationships continue to erode. Turning to Christ does not appear to have accomplished what we hope it would. Our faith is shaken.

There are preachers and teachers who are quick to present an answer to the quandary presented above. They have developed quite a complicated theology to explain why the believer does not receive all he expects in Christ. While the exact expression of this theology varies from preacher to preacher the simplified explanation boils down to this, “You don’t have what you desire (better health, better finances, better relationships, etc.) because you don’t have enough faith.” These teachers go on to define faith as a creative power within the individual to accomplish the individual’s desires through expressing these desires in spoken word. In other words, these teachers teach that if one says something sincere enough and long enough it will come into being. Many Christians who are weary of their trying circumstances have become attracted to these appealing individuals who give such wonderful promises.

The problem of why God’s people suffer has been one that has been debated throughout the ages. A prevailing theory throughout time immemorial has been that sin causes our sufferings. For example In John 9:2 those surrounding Jesus asked whether a blind man or his parents had sinned causing him to be blind.  Accordingly they blamed the suffering the man experienced through his physical infirmity on sin—his own or his parents’. While there is no doubt some suffering is the result of sin, because sin has consequences, not all suffering is because of sin. Note Jesus’ answer in John 9:3. Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  According to Jesus, there is often a heavenly purpose for one’s suffering and that is so God’s work made be made manifest.

Consider what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17 & 18:  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. In verse 15 Paul expressed that all he was going through was for the glory of God. These verses quoted here continue the theme. Godly people do suffer, but our suffering is only temporary when we look from eternity’s point of view. I am reminded of a Godly woman who because of a stroke was physically confined to a wheelchair and was constantly told by numerous individuals that if she would have enough faith she could walk out of that wheelchair. Her answer usually astounded the well intentioned counselor: “I thank God for this wheelchair, because it was through this wheelchair, I came to know Him.” That was indeed this dear lady’s testimony. Through her disability she was brought to a Christian physical therapist who shared the Gospel and this lady who was a churchgoer realized she had yet to receive Christ, did so, and was saved. She then allowed God to get the glory in her life despite her physical circumstances.

“But,” the faith teachers maintain, “God doesn’t want anyone to suffer.” They quote Isaiah 53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. However, they fail to acknowledge that the word “healed” means “made whole”, and that this is in the context of man’s spiritual condition. Jesus died so we can be delivered from our sinful condition and be made whole in Him. Does this include physical healing? Yes, ultimately when as Paul said (1 Corinthians 15:54), “This corruptible shall put on incorruption…” Paul recognized that our present bodies are in a state of decay and only when Jesus returns will we be made truly whole.

Consider the message of 1 Peter 4:11: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Note the words: “that God  in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ. We must consider whether God is glorified most by delivering from physical infirmities when the believer demands this or from giving the believer the strength to endure with joy the most difficult circumstances. The faith teacher proudly proclaims that it is a lack of faith when we pray, “If it be your will, God.” This writer asserts that it takes more faith to surrender the infirmity to God, placing it in His hands and saying, “Lord, I give this to You. I seek nothing but what gives You the greatest glory, Thy will be done.”

Does God deliver from physical infirmities when His people pray? This pastor has seen numerous examples of God doing just that, but I have also seen when God has received greater glory where God's servant continued to serve Him with joy despite dire circumstances.  Consider Paul’s experience. He had what he called a thorn in the flesh. Many have speculated as to what this could be. But note that he specifically mentioned it was in the flesh indicating it was physical, in other words, it affected Paul in his physical body and he prayed three times for it to be removed. Note his words as to God’s answer (1 Corinthians 12:9): And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Paul had learned the lesson of letting God be God in his (Paul's) life by giving his infirmities to God so that God would be glorified.

The Answer To Monday Mornings-- Be Filled With The Spirit

                                  

When I was ordained it was brought to my attention that most pastors who resign from the ministry do so on Monday mornings. The reason for this was not fully given but the strong suggestion was given that the discouragement that sets in from the previous day whether it be unmet expectations or the letdown from a high emotional day, has led many pastors to give up what God has called them to do. Emotions often run high in the pastorate and can lead to things later regretted. Whatever the reason, Monday mornings have proven to be a difficult challenge to many pastors, this pastor included, as well as to all in the Body of Christ.

As I ponder this, I am aware of the current study our church has been doing in the Book of Acts. The early Christian Church experienced many Monday mornings. They had high days when thousands were saved, which were followed by days of opposition and persecution. They had days of great evangelism in Jerusalem, Samaria and beyond. However, they most certainly had days of unmet expectation, as well as intense persecution. If anyone had the right to be discouraged it would be the leaders of the early church. Yet time and time again the book of Acts tells of great victories resulting in mighty acts of faith. The secret of  these victories is easily discovered as we realize that these men (and women) were those that the Bible describes as being filled with the Spirit. From the Apostles to Stephen to Barnabas and Paul, Acts tells us that as men were filled with the Spirit God’s work prevailed. And so as I think on these things, I pray, “Lord I cannot do this work alone I need your filling as desperately as I need air, I need Your Spirit”.

In accordance with this, the key to evangelism is a Spirit filled church made up of individuals who are Spirit filled. Churches fail when this is not so. Pastors feel the failure and give up when this is not so. However, we are not given the luxury of looking at others and blaming them for the lack of progress in carrying out the Great Commission God has given to the local church. To each child of God is given the command in Ephesians 5, “Be ye filled with the Spirit”. It is not given as an option. We cannot rest on the coattails of those that are the more spiritual among us nor can we lift ourselves up by comparing our efforts to the failure of those we consider to be less spiritual than ourselves. There is no hidden secret here. We are each commanded to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit for we each need His Spirit if we are to experience the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing what He has for us to accomplish and avoid spiritual defeat.

The Bible clearly teaches that we Christians cannot do what God has called us to do without power from above. When we try to act in our own strength we are doomed to utter frustration and failure. That is why Jesus promised His Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide. So few of us fully comprehend what this really means. We go off in divergent directions looking for some fantastical experience that will give us sudden, immediate power to accomplish the impossible instead of listening to the still small voice of the Spirit God has already placed inside us. Yet Scripture is ever reminding us that our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, neither are our expectations His. We need a clear understanding of what this filling of the Spirit is (and isn’t) if we are to receive the necessary power to overcome the spiritual battles in our lives. 

Accordingly, the greatest obstacle to being filled is the misunderstanding of what it means to be filled.

The command in Scripture is simple. Given in Ephesians 5:18 it simply  states,  “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”. While much has been said about this simple command, it probably needs to be repeated, because we don’t seem to get the point. Paul is telling us that the Spirit filled life ought to be the normal state of Christian living, not the exception. The statement in Ephesians 5:18 is not given as an option. The literal translation is that we are to "be, being filled" by the Holy Spirit. It is meant to be a continuous thing and not something we do ourselves. Also to be considered is the fact that this filling is contrasted with Pagan practice common in Paul’s day. Ritualistic drunkenness was practiced to produce false spirituality (The KJV says “excess”, but a good lexicon says “unsavedness”—something flowing from an unregenerated life). The act of being drunk opened one up (or so they thought) to the ability to make prophecy and perform other religious acts as referenced to in Luke’s account of the day of Pentecost when the apostles were accused of being drunk as they preached the Gospel. Considering this in a broader sense, we see Paul making the admonishment to stop any artificial self motivated attempts at spirituality and yield ourselves to the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is attested to in Romans 8:9 which says But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, and again in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that states, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? In Romans reversing the second statement it is clear that if you belong to Christ you have the Spirit. Lest we doubt who belongs to Christ we only have to look as far as John 1:12 that declares that those that receive Christ have the authority to become the sons of God. Do you believe? Have you received? Then you belong to Christ and have the Holy Spirit.  

Notice the second passage quoted above in which Paul declares believers to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, declaring the presence of the Holy Spirit within all believers. What is significant about this passage is that it was written to Christians that were living worldly lives. In effect, this passage is showing us that the presence of the Holy Spirit is not dependent on what you do, but what you are, i.e., a believer in Christ. These Christians were not told to shape up, changing their ways by getting aside somewhere to pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Quite to the contrary, Paul was telling these Christians that they could change their ways by drawing from the power of the Holy Spirit already indwelling them. The issue for the Christian is not whether or not he or she has the Spirit but whether he or she will yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.

If the solution to discouragement and defeat in the Christian life, especially the kind of discouragement felt by pastors on Monday mornings is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and if the Holy Spirit is already inside every believer, why then are so many of God’s people living in defeat? Why do I feel the need for His power in such a way I have not yet experienced? What are we missing?I think there may be those who read the questions above would try to stop me right there and would tell me exactly what they think I ought to do which in all likelihood result in some striking experience that would be seen as the filling of the Spirit. However, experiences such as these, rewarding as they seem, are not the filling of the Spirit at all. When Paul says “be filled”, he uses a word that means be saturated with or better yet be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is not a matter of receiving the Spirit Who is already present, but rather one of yielding to Him the control of my life. It is through this yielding to the Spirit that we receive the power to overcome the difficulties in our lives.

The problem with many of us is that this yielding is a moment by moment thing that continues on when we want an instantaneous result signified by some sign that we have been (notice the change in tenses)  filled. While some believers have sought for a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence, Scripture tells us in Galatians 5 that Holy Spirit’s presence in us produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I do not doubt that that it is possible for  Spirit filled Christians to question their filling because they ate looking for the wrong signs. That said, the filling of the Holy Spirit may not result in the miraculous exciting event we are looking for, but does result in the miraculous fruit described inn Galatians 5. When we have these things operating in our lives we cannot expect anything less than spiritual victory.

In light of the fact that believers already have the Holy Spirit in His entirety in our lives, the question then,

is not "What am I to do to receive the Spirit?", but rather, "How can I cooperate with His leading so that He dominates my feelings, emotions, desires, thoughts and actions and thus fulfill God’s command given by Paul for me to be filled with the Spirit?" While we must be careful not to emphasize “doing” over “being” there are specific actions that lead us to where we are continuously filled with the Spirit. Again I feel I must emphasize that I do nothing to be filled. However, there are things that I do that run interference with the filling that comes as a gift of God to all believers, hence the command given through Paul for us to be filled. Consequently, I need to focus on actions that keep me in cooperation with the Holy Spirit and thus to know His transforming power in my life.

One Bible teacher put the first step in knowing the Spirit’s power is confession of all known sin. Sin separates us from God. When we knowingly sin we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).  Confession of sin puts that matter behind us so we can live a renewed life. While one churchgoer pointed out, “We can’t be expected to be perfect. Everybody sins”, I cannot make excuses for continuing to do what God has clearly pointed out to me to be wrong. I am called to confess it and trust God to cleanse me of it by freeing me of bondage to it. Anything less grieves the Spirit, keeping me from experiencing His fullness in my life.

If the first step in knowing the Spirit’s power in my life is confession, the next could be labeled, "attention". If my thoughts, actions etc. are to be dominated by the Holy Spirit, I must listen to His voice, or in other words, I must pay attention to Him. In 1 Thessalonians we are warned to not quench the Spirit i.e., we are told not to put out the fire He lights in our lives. Consequently, I need to be aware of those things that I allow to enter and fill my life that drown out the Spirit’s voice, resulting in quenching His power within me. I experience the Spirit’s power as I follow His leading. This only happens when I refuse to let other things dominate my life.

A third matter to consider as to being continuously under the influence of the Spirit is given in Colossians 3. In this passage we are given virtually the same description of the results of being filled with the Spirit as given in Ephesians 6:18 ff, but instead of saying “be filled with the Spirit” Paul says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you.” One Christian teacher puts it this way, “Take in the Word of Christ and allow it to dominate your life. When the Word goes in the Spirit has the Truth with which to give you direction and guidance.” When I pursue God’s Word in this way there is no room for the other voices to fill my mind.

As I confess, attend and take in the Word of Christ allowing it to dominate my mind, I pray trusting God to do as He has promised. I thank God for putting His Spirit within Me. I pray that he will work in me to allow the Spirit to dominate my life, then trust Him to do as He has promised. Prayer is an expression of faith. Faith is void without action. So when I pray, I am to trust God to do as He has promised in giving me His Holy Spirit, enabling me to live by His power so I can experience the victory God has in store for me. Putting all misconceptions aside I can experience the Holy Spirit’s power in my life. It all begins with a desire and determination on my part to be filled and continues with the willingness to allow God to do His work within me.

When Science And The Bible Collide

In the previous blog, I mentioned a heated Facebook conversation over Creationism. It is interesting what people will write in one or two sentence snippets of ideas when the only opinions seem to count and the facts don’t get in the way. Accordingly, many things were said during the course of the discussion, with little evidentiary support for a cherished opinion. Accordingly, during the conversation it was alleged that the Bible is not meant to be a scientific textbook and that when Moses wrote the creation account in Genesis, he did so merely to answer the questions of an ignorant people. These two statements were given in support of the position that the Creation account in Genesis is not to be taken literally. Both of these statements, however, are things that have truth in them but it is the inferences drawn from them that are all wrong.

The first statement which maintains that the Bible is not a scientific textbook is a truism that cannot be denied. The Bible is not meant as a Science textbook; it is the story of man's fall and God’s subsequent work of redemption. It is, however, a miraculous book authored by none other than the God, Himself [2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:] and as such, when it makes a statement that touches on an area of Science, it should be listened to. To presume otherwise, is to place Science in a superior position over the Bible in such matters.

We must consider, however, that Science is man-centered. It is by definition the “observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.”Alarmingly, it is being looked to explain practically every aspect of our lives and our universe. There is no end to what man seeks to explain through the realm of Science. Even matters that once were considered as sacred to faith and practice are now being scrutinized under the auspices of Social Science, resulting in what once was called sin being now considered disease or a natural occurring alternative life style. The clear truths in Romans 1, which describe the degeneration of fallen man are explained away to make way for this new scientifically enlightened thinking. However, when we modify our interpretation of the Bible to conform to Scientific thought, it must be considered that we are making the Word of God subservient to man’s observations as well as theoretical interpretations.

In defense of the position that Science is superior to Scripture is the statement that Science is truth and that “all truth is God’s truth.” However, when we consider the man-centered nature of Science, we realize its vulnerability. Science is based on observations and where observations are impossible Science tries to fill in the void with guesses. This is its weakness. While Science is useful in lots of areas, there are limits to what Science can be used to explain. For this reason, then, we must draw a line where Science is, and is not, useful in helping to explain things mentioned in the Bible. For example, when we say that Moses wrote the creation account to answer questions of an ignorant people we implying that since  what Moses wrote is not reliable in light of present day Science, it must be seen as something other than factual. However, we must consider the reliability of Science concerning this topic which is in reality, the origins of the universe. When we do this, the vulnerability of Science is exposed.

The validity of Science is based on the validity of its observations. Concerning the origins of the universe, man was not there, so his observations are limited to what has come afterward. From these observations man has attempted to put together theories or best guesses as to what actually occurred. On the other hand, Scripture maintains that what Moses wrote is the actual Word of God. Accordingly, it is God’s Creation account. Since Science is dependent on observation, it cannot be used to contradict God’s eyewitness account in an area where it (Science) can only make guesses.

Consider this statement from the book of Hebrews: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report.3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:1-3).The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that there are things that we can know through observation of things that can be seen (Science), and things that we can know only through believing the Word of the living God (faith). There is then a limitation to Science. Accordingly, (from Hebrews) when Science is being used to explain the origins of the universe it has exceeded its limits. In view of this statement from Hebrews we need to consider that when Science and God’s Word seem to conflict we need not trust the superiority of Science over God’s Word. Instead we need to trust the Word of God and not lean on Science to understand what it says in areas where Science is extended beyond its limits.

A Slippery Slope

When I was a teenager, I became embroiled in a discussion concerning Creationism with my older brother. He was defending the literal seven day creation as in Genesis chapters one through three. I on the other hand argued for a reconciliation of the Biblical account with modern science. After all, to my mind, reason must prevail, and there must be some way to make sense of the Biblical account in such a way so as not to go against established scientific evidence. This young Christian wanted to believe that what the Bible was true but to believe this in the face of I had learned in the name of Science put my faith to the test, with the result that I unwittingly changed how I viewed the Bible.  I had unwittingly strayed from simply taking the Word at its simple literal truth exchanging that truth for an explanation more palatable to the world in which I lived. I maintained my belief in the creator but I disputed the method by which He did His Creation.

This all came to mind when I recently overhear a conversation concerning Creationism which is how the literal genesis account in normally called. However during that conversation it was suggested that the issue is not Creationism, but Literalism. The inference was that it is possible to believe that God created the universe in a time frame and method in agreement with modern scientific thought. Consequently, according to this way of thinking, one can be considered a Creationist without taking the Genesis account literally. The Literalist, on the other hand, has decided to accept a scenario that runs contrary to set scientific principles. The one position sees that where science and the Bible are at odds the Bible must be explained in such a way as to reconcile the two. The other position sees the Bible as Truth and where it appears to be at odds with science, science must be wrong.Consequently, whether we believe in the literal Genesis account of creation or in one that is more acceptable to modern thought is determined on how we view literal interpretation of the Bible.

Literal interpretation of the Bible has long been at the core of Fundamental/Evangelical thinking.  To be sure, it is at the core of the Gospel. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15 makes it clear that the Gospel is believing and receiving the literal Truth that Jesus, God the Son, came to die on the Cross for our sins and rose again from the dead. To deny these literal facts is to deny the Gospel. However, the question is that beyond the Gospel, must we always interpret the Bible literally? The answer to this is a resounding “Yes!”  If we cannot accept that what the Bible is saying is literal and accurate in all things, then we cannot be certain it is literal and accurate concerning the Gospel. When we stray from a literal interpretation of the Bible we open ourselves to all kinds of practical interpretations of the Bible that take away from its central Truth. Liberal theological thought is based on creative interpretations that reduce the Bible to allegory or simply a guide to better living instead of the Truth that the Bible is the Truth of God’s work of redemption of a fallen human race.

And so, as a teenager, and as one who believed the Gospel, I tried reconciling what I had been taught in the name of Science with the Truth of the Bible, not considering the dangers of doing so. If someone had suggested that I was stepping out into liberal Christian thought I would have thought them ridiculous for I had the notes of none other than the respected biblical scholar, C.I. Scofield himself right in my Bible. Scofield for all his support of a literal interpretation of the Bible supported the gap theory that opened the door to other creative interpretations of Genesis in otherwise sound Biblical churches. It was not until later that I realized what a slippery slope this is. The Truth is, we are on dangerous ground when we attempt to reconcile the literal Truth of the Bible with modern thought.  The same Bible that portrays the seven days of creation is the same that portrays a literal Adam and Eve and the same that portrays a literal death burial and resurrection of God the Son.  If we are not going to take the Bible literal in all its points, but still claim to hold to the Gospel then we have the difficulty of sorting out what is and what is not to be taken literally.

Should we decide to interpret the Bible in light of scientific thought we must consider that such thought is man, not God, centered. While science has brought us many advances over the history of things it does have its limitations. It is not as conclusive as prevailing thought would have us believe. When we reject the literal creation account in Genesis we are placing the science of geology over the Bible.  However, when we do this we must consider how many “ologies” there are under the umbrella of science. Psychology, sociology head up the list of such “ologies” that have permeated modern otherwise conservative Christian thinking to the point that so many churches have gotten away from the Truth and are condoning what was once seen as sin. The Gospel has taken a back seat as churches seek to be seen as relevant in a secular society. To be sure, when we forsake the literal interpretation of Scripture we have begun to descend a slippery slope.

{Note to readers: There is more to come on this—How reliable is Science any way?—Can a good Christian believe something other than a literal interpretation of Genesis?}