Our considerations of matters spiritual, or real, knows no bounds. We are not inhibited from anything, nor prohibited in any matter of question if born of sincere desire. Though this, in itself, is no small matter of which we often find ourselves in question “What is sincere desire?”
Where once we easily thought ourselves sincere in all undertakings, our coming to Christ has revealed (as part and parcel to it) at very least something of His sufferings accomplished on our behalf, and in obedience to His Father, that is displayed as price or cost to a soul that another soul be made free of lies and/or insincerity. One soul enters darkness that another may receive light. We dare not discount or make less of this profound work, even if described in so few words. “He bore His soul unto death”. He entered (and conquered) every bit of it, fully bearing Himself to it, with no drawing back nor defense of self displayed.
In the most extreme of terms with no apology for their deserved extremity, He conquered death…all, and fully, in Himself. And now those in Him, are to know, no less than His resurrection testifies, this same work being done in themselves…as gift.
There is a too wonderful intertwining here of both His death and His resurrection, for the profoundest considerations of each (which in truth are inseparable) testify to both deepest of depths and highest of heights. In that sense “all” is covered. No one has or could descend lower, no has or could ascend higher. And its marvel is eternal.
And each testifies of each, always, (and God help me here to not reduce marvel) as in the natural a quantum entanglement is apprehended. (Though by this writer only most barely of such) Each testifies of the “other’s” estate of being. One’s “up-ness” is irreducibly (and immediately) tied to any observation of the “other’s” down-ness.
Yes, as the heavens declare the glory of God, so do “smaller” things. For we are in the “same” and only God of all creation.
But I did not want to poke around in the periphery of matters, of which the deepest of physics is only itself so. (Nor would I have any led astray to thinking I know much about them). Nevertheless, there can be no adventures and/or explorations of our God in His magnificence (who is spirit) that is contradicted in, or by, His creation. We may at times, think we see something of those in the natural, but if and when our sole reference is God…all other seeming contradictions dissipate as the once opaque morning mists. He is full of all reason as to why all things are as they are, and even all reason particularly in those times when we are being led to believe otherwise. Not one sparrow falls ignored. Not one hair un-numbered.
And so, if speaking of hair and aforementioned grace to relax, be at ease, be unconfounded to frustration at our own inability to anything…anything at all, we could also consider turning just one hair from white to black, as Jesus spoke of. Or growing hooves or that second head as also previously mentioned. Actually, it is only the believer who can find any comfort in the impossible to himself, and perhaps contrary to all intuitiveness, is appointed to.
And, if I may dip a toe back into the natural, not one loving and doting parent would be unfamiliar with the notion of surprise, that is, to take or provide their beloved child with such a matter of joy prepared for them, but of which they are convinced that child could not even begin to imagine as end. “Yes…it is the circus, children!” as the car is parked to squeals of delight.
I have known apostles…met some, read and heard of others, and had the distinct pleasures and pains of one stopping for me, to pick me up, carry me, and being unashamed of association with me and all my childish presumption(s). A man knows, as only the man who is going through it knows (uncaring of opinions rendered) when his soul is being knit to another. He also knows nothing is more out of his own hands. Resist, and it is proved. Accept or submit…and it is proved.
And I mention this only to this end, regardless of opinion. Apostles are bold. They are wild men. Or if not yet, they will grow to be, for some are yet in training…to a singleness of eye, as their calling relentlessly motivates. Yet they know it is not only for themselves, this singleness of eye, nor to themselves is such keeping. But they are “first” in the sense the man in the crow’s nest first spies land or obstruction, but would be in complete dereliction of duty if keeping such to himself.
And apostles are also first to learn of stripes and severe chastening’s if, or when such knowledge is mis-apprised as something for themselves only…or as a personal delight…only. They may see delightful things without any prohibition of joy, but there is a greater good served by their learning to unabashedly holler either excitedly “land ho” or with great caution “hard a’starboard, rocks ahead”.
Their seeing is for all, and silly would be the man who, if reading Paul (or any other apostle’s words) with any desire at all (born of spirit) thinks Paul wrote simply to show off. Or surrendered to “I guess this ain’t for all of us”. It is not unworthy to admit to lack of understanding, but it would be far more remiss to adjudge that any insight or revelation given is only to be held in our communion by a more special few. Freely you have received, freely give…has either indeed been burned into their soul(s), or will be. And I mention this (and
Such a one I knew. And I mention this (and him) to such end that, and as an apostle his insights/revelations were for those to whom he understood himself as sent. He was surely…sent to me, though I know of others who have known him. And I have no doubt at all, that as one knew of such knitting together of souls mentioned, so did the other.
Remember Paul’s words if you need reminding. Though he is most generally read today with much (rightly due) respect…and thought fit for general application and acceptance (though I also fear with some presumption by some)…remember his own words in respect to himself and his calling. For to either be ignorant of them, or to discount them as folly now (when he appears so esteemed among so many) will only prove presumption if not held, or presumption if discounted.
“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”
Paul laid no claim to being an apostle to all, even were he ordained so. And even no man who might receive him to himself as such “I am fully persuaded Paul writes for and to me in truth” Or even “all the church” (as I am persuaded), Paul never took it to himself. Strangely (to some perhaps) this is precisely a “why” I am persuaded of his verity. Not because “he’s in the Bible!”, not because every other confessing member of the body might tell me “YOU have to accept Paul’s words and leading”, but because something almost too true rings forth from that man. Just like his Lord. He knows to whom he was sent. He knows of souls being knit together, though he bore with much pain and sorrow…even such work. Just like his Lord.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
Yes, it is not the man who commends himself…(with titles, positions, garb, etc.)
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
And there is a discipline for some coming, chastenings for others “on the horizon” who would seek to bind others to Paul’s words when not being knit to them, themselves. And only God will show any man whether Paul is “commended”, and it will not be because he can find them in a book “everyone must heed to”. You…are not (as neither am I) a pope. The call of Christ is to God through Christ and woe to the man looking for the upper hand in the assembly.
I fear I have gone a bit afield. But as an apostle we do find Paul (once we are convinced he is true) handling the word of God in liberty, but not license. He is free to draw connections, make declarations unbreakable to those of same knit nature, and not obscurely seen (as though it is too weird to say) as a wild man. Some outside thought him off his rocker…while at least a few inside (I say few as concession) esteemed him not as one to “take a stand with”. (Burn your pulpit if you do not know this. If you do know, you have already burned your pulpit.) Too bold?
And so this apostle who once appeared to me in flesh also knew his liberty in touching the scriptures for enlightening. And as one knit to him by many proofs I understood some, paid less attention to others…and even found some perhaps unsettling and perhaps even presumptuous (as so many were willing to dismiss him “out of hand”)
But some come back to me now from accompanying him (and he accompanying me without shame) through a life of meetings, travelling, shopping, sharing meals, watching TV, walking streets and entering prison(s). I remember his expansion upon this:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
But with this understanding he had been persuaded of in spirit that God alone will either commend or disavow:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: (and let us surprise him!)
And let us surprise him!
No, none need find anything here by compulsion. And I am persuaded to say what this brother would most often say to the often blank faces he met when saying it
“Do you not know this?”
And as though too relentless in boldness, he would follow hard upon with these words: (for apostles are bold when grown):
“Or…do you know better than this?”
And, yes, he always held a smile for any who thought they knew better.
But, as I say, impacts are a reserved thing according to recognition. One man hears thunder, another the voice of an angel, another yet hear that voice on High above which none exceed.
Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
How and what we hear is how and what we hear…not at all what we say of “how and what we hear”. This is a rebuke to some as it must be to myself. But it is also a great comfort when appreciating one cannot unstop his own ears, open his own eyes and finds that peculiar comfort in the all that is impossible to himself.
One may think (if one has had some walking) of all the silly questions posed him as a believer by those who would seek to make the “impossible” an uncomfortable place for him.
“Can God make a rock so big He can’t lift it?” Huh? Huh? “Come on, theist…come on…”
or the even funnier: (of which I am fond for my own peculiar disposition)
“Can God make a chili so hot He can’t eat it?” huh? huh?
So many questions…some of seeming deeper resonance “If God is all good and also all powerful…but there is evil…that means…”
For some this is the kiddy end of the pool…some being so overwhelmed by a thing of far greater wonder and ineffable phrasing. Can God start with dust, and from it, make something like Himself? Even grow from what is not at all like Him in any way…(even steadfastly resistant to being so) and assuredly NOT HIM, yet grow it up to know Him? And not only so, but to know Him no less than His own sent Christ…knows Him?
If so…how? If so…why? If so…what might one find out?
Perhaps that he is far more knit than ever he could have once appreciated?
And even be surprised by it.
I used to think I know better.
Father forgive them, they know not what they do.
Maybe I still do.
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