Chewing Through Psyches (pt 2)

There are few things more often said by believers to any perceived in doubt about the reality of Jesus the Christ’s fullness of reality than “It is not a religion, it is a relationship”.

And since no doubt there is a commonality, a communion in spirit shared amongst believers that has some expression in behaviors, both in word and [some] doings; it is often extremely tortuous to attempt to dissuade one who appears beholding (as it were) from the outside as those unconvinced, that it is not, or far more than, mere religious practices as observable doings to which many, as observers, reduce the matter. Even the believer himself finds these matters often become a sort of stumbling block, of things that seem to get in the way of expression…even if their faith takes some expression in, and through these.

We may say, and in some knowing even say “It is not a matter of going to church, or a church” or “No, it doesn’t mean you read your bible a lot, or pray a lot, or give to the poor a lot” or be “nicer” in some way, and the like. We are often left in some attempt (or find ourselves so) to make clear a thing that is exquisitely personal in nature and beyond the observable by others unless they be of same spirit…that a “someone”, a real person not of mere materiality has touched us beyond and more profoundly than any other has ever reached or touched from a place (and to a place in ourselves) that to us was previously undiscerned. No wonder the apostle said “Who is equal to such a task?”

Yes, it takes God. And likewise, no, it cannot be less than God who accomplishes. Any, or even all of man’s craftiness and crafting of words, explanations, logical reasonings…no matter how skillfully nor devotedly they may be presented can accomplish anything to this end.

Ahhh, frustration! How perfect it (even He) is found working in this to work us through this. We are found often, and in some or many ways, trying to express the inexpressible. And the some of you (if any be reading, at all) also know this is not merely reserved (this experience) to intercourse with, or among the doubtful or unbeliever. It even happens amongst those of the family of faith. That we might say (or think) “Well, it should not” or “it ought not to be” is of less than no consequence here. It happens. You know it, I know it, but most and only importantly, God knows it. The not knowing of what “should be” plain is not something of which God is unfamiliar. Were we able to foolishly assign time to God as something He labors under, we would say “He has been dealing with this for a very long time”

Do we doubt Jesus said this, even and specifically to one of His own chosen:

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?

Now, I care not to make an example of Philip as though he is stranger to me, or one I care to distance myself from or spitefully use for some self exaltation…yet (even brother/sister) how could I prove to you that such has come in same form to one as myself “You do not know as you ought to”. Or, “When you say you know, you merely show you do not”

Ha! But I know this! I know these words come…and have.

I am no more nor less than any other finding the curious constraints of being found in fashion as a man. And if, (or better) as this is true “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” is a matter unavoidable to acknowledging. And so that same apostle who held query came to rest after “Who is equal to such a task?” finding only resolution in God as can be accomplished only by God

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

or as another translation puts it:

For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

O! But this is no small matter of which he speaks. O! sincerity! Sincerity! Who is, or can be sure…of their own? Who has mined past all that might be of personal gain in any doings or words to touch the naked truth? For we learn “peddling” means so much more than for mere filthy lucre, for there is an abyss of things one can reach for to his own adorning if he can show or display what appears as some mastery of matters. Pulpits may throw themselves open to him, elevating stages and dais’s, some acceptance of notoriety, an ability to ascend as one “who should be heard” may present…yet…even with and in all of this there is the far greater matter (not merely relying upon other man’s opinion or acceptance) and that is the matter of how one may prefer to see themselves. There, in that deep place, that place others do not easily see or may not even yet appreciate as being fully clear before the eyes of “Him with whom we have to do”. That place. How does one…even with God…mine past that place to touch a matter too deep…sincerity?

Yes, it is a relationship. No, it is not “a” relationship…it is the relationship. We are touching and in touch with the only true person of all personhood. I trust (and am persuaded) that Paul in all his many labors, query’s, investigations, seeking of light in a Kingdom once foreign to him even to such end as he might present it clearly or as unobstructed by matters of himself that might obscure, was given that gift of God of tireless mining. And minding. “Ask, seek, knock” were instruction not lost on him. Each answer spurred to greater marvel, each answer spurred to greater investigation.

I have little doubt (none actually) that there was a curious turning in himself, one at which he could only marvel. Even such as might be seen as in this, if God allow such presumption (or is it faith?)…a turning upon all matters so that “Why did I not see (as Saul) what is now made so plain to me in that place of being Saul in which I was so confident I saw, and knew?” To come to “Yet, even now with what I see and can affirm in such confidence (really not much different than a confidence I also once embraced in all sightlessness) what do I still…and yet…not see?” O! But this form of knowing is far different! To myself, in fact, I am no different…yet this is the strangest of knowings. As Paul I am no better than any other, not even better than that “Saul” who I know (I know! I know! I know!) was sightless! Oh my.

His plea was ignorance. He copped to it. He grabbed it. He held it and presented it. But how? And why could he be sure of it? He knew this was no expiation, no excuse as would suffice, for who has championed only the sufferings of Christ to greater degree as only sufficiency for satisfaction presentable and acceptable before God?

Yet, he claimed it. But no, it was neither excuse nor expiation, but given to him as gift and as such was not to be lightly taken. And surely not to be hoarded to himself as sole or only worthy recipient. By its work from the giver to its work in the receiver (and this work was a miner’s precious tool) his eyes were opened in greater measure to this work of the One who gives. He gave blindness even, provided sufficient ignorance [even] for the glorifying of His son, the son of His love.

So Paul, not denying his own remaining ignorance “Not that I have already attained…” also had such confidence of knowing how such “worked” toward this, the Son’s glory, that he would say:

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

He began to understand many of the why’s and hows of God’s working, even in one such as himself. Even that same one as an apostle to the gentiles (a people formerly despised by a Pharisee of Pharisees) who came to see and know much but would yet know this writing he scribed to be true:

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Ahhh, frustration! Ahhh ignorance!

What gifts!

Through the hand of the giver…they work. And perfectly well.

Even as catalyst, as all consumed in the brightness of His coming. Even as meet fuel for this longing of His appearing.

To a promise of their end.

Just as we may say “It is not a religion, it is a relationship” to those who are mere observers, we may also come to know another thing after like manner, even Heaven… is not so much “ascension to a place, but to a person” and to and with all that are in Him.

Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.

In Him, all places are Heavenly.

Even, only so.