If we are able to answer the question posited at the end of the previous offering with a “yes”, that is that we do find Paul a reliable witness, a reliable expounder of those revelations received and, that for as much as we are able to discern, a sincere seeker of the Lord and a worthy instructor; it sorta behooves us to pay attention.
We can leave off, or at least I can and will, where we find his writings, as bound together impressively in what we call the Bible, The Book. We can also forgo speculations of whether or not Paul had any inkling as he wrote that his words would be found leather bound in the same volume(s) that contained Isaiah, Jeremiah, (and all the prophets) the Torah, the Psalms, etc. And that his words, by a many confessing, would be approached as having equal weight and credibility to those scriptures of which he knew well and labored in for light. If to any this appears scandalous, even heretical, that’s fine.
It’s been made plain, even by Paul himself (if we do concede to him as being faithful and his writings faithfully maintained) that he held himself of little general, or overall authority, while not denying the authority he did have. “If I be not an apostle to others…” he wrote to those he recognized as in his particular care, while reaffirming to them, “doubtless I am to you…”.
No, there is nothing that indicates, in either demeanor or writing that Paul thought himself writing as to all, and for all time. That he understood apostles and prophets as given in the church and having some foundational work necessary and constraining to lay no foundation but the Christ of God, he no less confessed to having no dominion over any man’s faith.
That God may have kept such from him, that in “ages hence” he would be looked upon with an esteem that at the time could have been a stumbling block to him, (and many other of the writers, perhaps all) might be attributed to the wisdom of God, God knows. For doubtless today his authority is accepted as the authority (or at least confessed so) in regards to many matters of the faith, church order and orderliness, plumber of deep mysteries that we may mouth blithely, and in all, not merely a faithful witness of God’s Christ, Jesus the Lord, but (and no less) also a faithful witness to his own weaknesses and even once being a blasphemer.
It very much appears that as diligent as he labors to deliver revelations he is no less occupied, nor ashamed of showing himself, as some might say, warts and all. He is, to an extent remarkable, even rare among the many other writers to show himself as most common of man, but with an assurance of Christ’s uncommon devotion and mercy that is, and makes all the difference. And consumes all that would otherwise be a shame to a man.
The all of light so far eclipsing anything that might remain, or even be mentioned, of darkness. All else besides Christ that might, even for a time seem to be, or seek to be of some significance; is to him, totally swallowed of light.
For him, from him and his writings, in him and his labors, there is nothing else to consider. If one cares to disagree with this estimation of Paul as being one seen as he is, then each shall answer for their own sight. This is not said in despite or any veiling of hostility, for I am no less subject to being judged of an inordinate affection and/or a presumption as might appear.
God forbid any idolize our brother Paul who is man, no more nor less than we ourselves. But we either see, as we are to see (is that presumption? God knows) even as amongst one another, a man who is what he is by the grace of God alone, or not. And if one is given to understand and see according to that grace, I am more than convinced few have as strenuously and doggedly sought to uphold, at least as we have record, (for God knows) that grace of Christ as appointed to be appreciated, extolled, in all ways relished and delighted in to our good, as this brother, Paul.
It took him far. (If it may not be an insult to refer to as it, this grace of God in Christ)
And if we, as mutually claiming such grace of God as to ourselves by our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord are, even in any way amazed to a remarking of that man’s labors and efforts as superior, let us not forget. That even in his note of them as such of which he was not unaware (for he did know what he had been through) he was caught mid sentence. Caught. Stopped. Apprehended to correction by the Teacher.
Even to the attributing of a power resident in this grace to propel and motivate that he dare not take to himself, God forbid. And, no less, grace also apprehends to discipline, correction, and rebuke as need be:
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
There is “yet not I” again. Yet not I.
It was God’s grace…at work.
What an I was ready to, and even started to attribute to that I of one’s self…called for an intervention. No disciple is unaware unless he be most novice. How quickly we hear and receive the correction is to that measure of maturity measured to us. But it is there for all of us just as it was no less for Paul. The moment we begin to think or express to any lengths what we have done of service, what we might take credit for, that upon that of us we might take a stand…be sure a call is issued. The yet not I will bear no unattended expression with the I of self.
But this is only known, and only can be, by those in relationship. And the growings (and groanings) in that relationship, that communion established whose depths are to be plumbed, teaches many things. Some things, if not many things utterly unbearable to any and all apart from that grace. But of such things, and even with such things once utterly unbearable and beyond admission apart from that grace, comes an ease.
The new man has no qualms in exposing the old man, even if from all perspective but the Lord’s, it is what must appear a shame to all others. The old man, with no knowledge of the new man obviously cannot display him, but also and more to the point, the old man even hides from himself as to remain…hidden. The heart that is desperately wicked, as described, has no interest, no, far beyond that, has no light at all to even see or plumb itself. What light it has is such that… “all things are right in its own eyes”.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Would it be too much for any to bear that Satan himself, full of darkness…might not at all see himself as scheming, in hand rubbing glee of all the evil and mischief in which he delights[sic] and he plans, but rather see himself as a “pretty good” form of person (though spirit)? Is that too much?
It takes light to see evil, it takes light and experience of having senses exercised to discern (as the scripture says) good from evil. No, evil cannot know itself (and therefore any other) if understood as all of darkness and lie. Yes, it may know torment and pain, and even seek the escape from it (for light is a torment to the darkness) but as to any knowing in understanding of estates…it is void. And so therefore, if light be in one he finds now the forbidding of lie, and if light be in one of Christ, it is not long before one learns the most significant target (to him) of all his own lies, has been his own self.
(Too much?)
I am convinced we shall see and know.
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