When we are persuaded by the Spirit to that matter of unity of Spirit, even our unity in the spirit of Christ, all is that is made available to us is then in beginning to be shown of what has been made available to us. And God help us we need to be persuaded to certain matters. Just as Jesus told those following “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
And we might even say that all the subsequent writings, messages, preachings and revelations laid out (some to us recorded on material page, some still on the wind of the spirit unrecorded in ink) are all in service of our knowing of what Jesus has done, and Who/what is in Him. And is even now, doing. The same yesterday, today, and yes, forever.
The above, of course, is troubling to some. One might see a provocation toward speculations. An invitation to fill in blanks of places that are off limits because “we are only to deal and handle according to only what is written down”. And yes, that is a persuasion of some or many, that if any man holds, no other man has authority to impugn. We have no dominion over any man’s faith. Let each walk according to what they have received.
And if it is of anything of note (each will see for themselves, but not without effect upon the body) that the baskets we may carry, (or wineskins we are) as full as they are or are not, are very much according to some persuasion that our persuasions are for the persuading to…and that inclusive of others. And if there be any infighting (so to speak) it is not unusually over matters considered in some way important. Most often disagreements arise from what is considered important amongst us to some particulars that “such and such” is of some paramount necessity and we dare not “move on” until such is agreed upon and established to all.
So some most assuredly say “do not go beyond what is written” (which is even itself, a thing written) for dangers of speculations and shipwreck of faith await (and that held not without some wisdom)…but, let’s face it, despite the very fundamental fact that some hold books others do not…(what “written” is the written referred to?) we have all the words (of a gazillion sermons), a multitude of commentaries and expansions upon, books being churned out by writers and publishers that are themselves, in so many ways and in so many words seeking to show or explain what the “words” mean. And, of course, these present words are also easily assigned that same place.
And it is what it is. To one “add nothing to the words of this book” or he who adds or seeks to take away will suffer certain consequence(s), and means a one thing. And to another…it means, quite another. For how many tomes have been written…explaining…what a particular “book” means? What is “adding”…what is a rendering of some insight and understanding? God knows. God knows.
And God help me if found provoking to speculations. Or a mere figuring out according to some mere working of man’s logic. But aha, (who escapes?) being a man? Yet what we have to deal with is what we have (or have been given) to deal with. Even in matters of such like “what does it really mean to add or take away?” Let alone…”but you have more (or less) books than I acknowledge”. One begins to appreciate that lest unity of the spirit be true as an established matter, and being made true to us…as already established…we are all as lost as geese. And only God knows how established…established is.
Is He sharing what He knows? If so, how? If through any…who? O! yes, when rubber meets road and matters once thought of casually now become matters for the prevention of our being casualty, suddenly it is of exquisite importance to know what, and who of that what that is held, presented such.
Paul said “I know whom I have believed…and am persuaded…”
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Is it only given Paul…to “know”? “I know whom I have believed”, even speaking (is this speculation?) of a whom of once he said/wrote “that I might know Him”.
And if one can receive it, that there is meaning in and to everything, meaning in words to be discovered, meaning in events to be discovered, meaning in all to be discovered then we may find some difference (as God alone can establish such) in the difference between speculations about…and consideration over matters. “Think on these things”. Selah.
And even so, that where they must be divided as distinct from one another…(speculation and consideration) God will show. For David prayed to God to be kept from presumptuous sins. (Do you believe the spirit moved him?)
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Yes, it is the most interesting(?) fascinating(?) consuming(?) only(?) matter of matters given to man of the what and how…and perhaps (God help a man) even why of God’s working in and through Jesus the Christ. The all of what has been done, the how it has been done that is, in all, worthy of consideration.
If we believe him, Paul surrendered all he once had and once was to the knowing of Him who “loved me and gave Himself for me”. It is an intensely personal observation and knowing Paul expresses there. Is this speculation to see how easily it might have also been written “who loved us and gave Himself for us”? For Paul surely labored toward all inclusivity (if we believe him) in so much of the writing given to him, that all in Christ are equal heirs, without division nor partiality. Yes, something intensely personal Paul was not only “allowed” to say, but given…to say.
And to some extent (perhaps even far greater than a man yet knows) all the above that follows (pt 15) in title is owed in great part to considering? speculating(?) (God knows) of that matter Paul states and was addressed in prior section:
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Are we allowed to consider what he says?
What was Paul speaking of in this particular context…and even of a something he had destroyed?
If, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found to be sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? God forbid! For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
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