Comforter, Teacher

"Jesus is SO MUCH BETTER than us."

YOU CANNOT read the Bible without the Spirit. To read it with human reasoning will cause you to hear it wrong. You will see it wrong. Many have studied it, comparing words and phrases. Many with religious knowledge have misunderstood it. The Pharisees “knew it.” They held fast to its laws. They also added to them, and though they knew the prophecies of the Messiah, they stared Him in the face, seeing His miracles on an unfathomable scale, and hated Him. Head knowledge did them nothing.

The Holy Spirit has been given to us so that we will understand God’s Word fully. He is its author, speaking God’s Truths through men able to hear Him. Every book is our example. How did these men write accurately so much of the past and of the future? Reading Jesus’ prayer in John 17, the apostle John was with Him in the garden, but another gospel says he was sleeping. Yet there, word for word, is Jesus’ prayer. As a writer, who hears the Spirit, I get this, but I know others do not.

God is creative. We know this from the decorations of the temple, where workmen are acclaimed to have God’s fine craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3). We know this from the psalms, where men sing God’s praises, many of them prophetic. We know this from modern day artists, songwriters, and builders. From voices which only God could give. There are writers who amaze me, gifted with words. And those who pour their energies into books, into performances, honoring pride and self-accomplishment with none of God in it. King Solomon’s wisdom was spoken of in many kingdoms so that they’d travel great distances to hear him (1 Kings 10:1-2). But so was the king of Babylon who realized the power of Jehovah and yet had his throne removed from him.

“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” (Exodus 31:3)

I have heard it said, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.” This begins by knowing the Author of the Book. Not just its words and church lingo but His character, His nature. To live in intimate connection to God, to see Him correctly in His Word, is to mature beyond sandcastles and plastic bridges. The apostle Paul called this “milk”. “Why are you still needing milk?” he asked the church (1 Corinthians 3:2).

Why are you still needing to be reminded to “love one another” I ask? Why does one minister speak against another instead of praying for him and mourning sin, including his own? Why are we still arguing who should stand on the left or the right of Jesus? When the truth is, that is the Father’s doing. Jesus is SO MUCH BETTER than us. You will not look Him in the eye one day and still be vying for your own position. Not because of His power or authority, although those are part of Him. But because He is so kind. He is the Word made flesh, who shines a vivid example of the Father’s heart, that His greatest expense is worth it to rescue you.

So read the Word with the Spirit. Set down what you think you know and ask Him for His perspective. Turn loose of church doctrine and churchisms and hear the Father speaking. Commit yourself to grow up, to grow closer to God, and to see people through the lens of the One who died for them.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com