There’s an immutable working to all God is doing, has done, and will do; at least as far as we are concerned in such matters in our perceived restrictions to time. If this seems too bold to say, one need only consider the boldness with which our brother Peter spoke; as mentioned for consideration in last section. It is not only bold, and spoken in such boldness, but also, and no less, quite apparently paradoxical to the extreme. Of such paradox that it is understood by a mere observer, or a mere listener as opposed to hearer, as borderline crazy. That is where (in the natural man) appearances and seems, reign. To the natural mind (even in some concept of God or a god) to say a man can be lawless (or have lawless hands) when participating in the outworking of God’s will and perfectly planned purpose (for who can resist it?)…well, how can it but not sound, at very least a bit, “off the wall?”
Is any saying that “God can deliver a man out from time” even to such end that he may be made to see (even if only vaguely) such restrictions are only perceived restriction? That in and of itself seems quite a bit to apprehend, yet if we flip it so to speak, do we not already presume it so? And what if, in some most fundamental way one were to say, especially to or of believers that for them God is always about delivering out from presumption to knowledge and understanding…would that be too lofty?
As a beater of dead horses, even those of my own presentation, dare I be ashamed? Listen if you can or will. Who of us in this mix of what appears believer and unbeliever, does not already have some persuasion we can and do escape time…by looking back (so to speak) and believe we see how “things really were” (past time) or even formulating notions of how things will and must be (future time)?
You do not hammer without a full expectation that by some laws of mass and momentum force will be transferred to the nail head, thence down to point of nail to drive it into substance? We don’t call this a continual experiment, do we? Or that how, if setting a can of beans on the counter they will remain exactly where they are put. And even if to whatever measure their placement is forgotten and we look for them, we never assume (for we always presume otherwise of things we do) they could be on the garage shelf with our tools. We think we know what we do and did, (and likewise of others) and even what we will do and must happen according to some projections (and likewise of and for others).
And yes, some things we may call “iffy” in these projections to the back (past) and forth (future) “Can I make this thousand mile trip on that bald tire?” And if a vision coming to us of a 70 mph blowout on a crowded 4 lane overwhelms all other factors of our calculating in the now, we adjust for a future. Even for the preservation in many cases of our future (and having one) that either does not include a vision of neck braces and legs with external fixators, or even a vision of ourselves (ha ha, how do we do that?) in a casket.
Do you think these matters…too crazy? Too fundamentally known and understood to not be worthy of bearing mention? Enough to say “Of course that’s how man and men …work”! They calculate from past (of acquired knowledge, past experiences, some informing) and then project to a future with some expectation of it. But, I am not ashamed to beat a dead horse. And, as far as the natural man (may I use that term?) is concerned, and could say, I (with my own bag of knowledge, experiences, and whatever informing) ha ha! I too would presume such to be said…even (with some understanding) that to him it is said legitimately, that I am fool! I cannot but appear so! Yes, there are immutable workings.
But believers? Oh, there’s a quite different kettle, isn’t there? Is it too far fetched to say that by spirit we are informed to a difference? Where the natural man is bound to one view of all matters, we hold…more? What is the resurrection if not that place where all prior understandings about the finality of death…(and no less, what matters there be of life) are completely overturned? Even the disciples (who were told otherwise by Jesus Himself, that He would return) were in disbelief for joy when He appeared with them and to them. They, as many others, thought Him …”all gone”.
Yikes! Things are not at all as they seem, or even did seem. Suddenly a difference is thrust in our/theirs…”a” face, and in the now, that what happened (past) and the calculated presumptions then into a present significance and consequence (bar those doors, the Jews may still be looking for heads to roll)…are suddenly shown as a folly and completely wrong interpretation of events!
And though this surely framed to that particular matter of death (we come to understand there’s no better place chosen of God for start of Christ to overthrow) so it also extends to such as presumption, to inform or radiate with true light. How that all of a thing once only informed of, and by death, a natural man…fighting tooth and nail against an inevitability, suddenly makes way for the (or “a”) man who sees…the difference. Jesus the Christ of God. Jesus always knew (and knows) what and how the natural man thinks. He, being the spiritual man, knows all about the natural.
Even John the Baptist was made privy to such in his calling, being a preeminent prophet:
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Take a look and see how many translations use the word…presume.
Oh, where they could and would naturally go to assume/presume their standing! Even, and no less, where I have gone. Yes, I see some difference to what I once mistook as real and valid…in the light of something (or someone?) other.
O! yes, how much we (I, especially) may think we have, or know, knew, learned,or even think we remember or have interpreted correctly! And how this all goes into our projections! “Have we not prophesied and done many mighty miracles in your name?” “Hey…doesn’t all that stuff add up to a better outcome than the one you are (presently) telling us is our lot?”
But who will have a word to utter once the Lord says…”depart from me”?
Even relating that way of putting could be my insertion of some presumption! I should tremble to consider what words could come (if any) in consequence to the Lord saying “depart from me, I never knew you”.
God help me.
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