Learn from the Past

 

Phil 3:12

SUBJECT: PROGRESS

THEME: Determine to press on toward the Finish line of the Christian Race by learning from the Past.  

RELEVANCE:

As a winner, Paul is giving us His life overview, his past (Phil 3:1-11), his present (Phil 3:12-16), and his future (Phil 3:17-21). In each of these experiences, Paul is looking at things on earth from God's point of view. As a result, he is not upset by things in his history. In fact, things do not rob him of his joy! Now to be winners and fulfill God’s plan, we must learn from our past.

INTRODUCTION:

Many read biographies to satisfy their curiosity about great people, hoping also that they may discover the "secret" that made them great.                                                                     

ILLUSTRATION: “I recall sitting in a grade school assembly program many years ago, listening to an aged doctor who promised to tell us the secret of his long, healthy life. (At one time he was a physician to the President of the United States. I've forgotten which one, but at that stage in my life, it seemed it must have been Washington or Jefferson.) All of us sat there with great expectation, hoping to learn the secret of a long life. At the climax of his address, the doctor told us, "Drink eight glasses of water a day! "” — W.W. Wiersbe

Again, the secret to a joyful life is faithfully looking at things from God's point of view. As a result, joy will be constant and unchanging. All of us want to be “winning Christians” and fulfill the purposes for which we have been saved. What are the essentials for winning the race and one day receiving the reward that is promised?

MESSAGE:

I.               An Honest Evaluation of Our Past.  Phil. 3:12-13

Paul has clearly stated that his personal salvation experience brought about a new assessment of his goals and gave him the overwhelming desire to know Christ even more completely.  Paul then explains how his present life is a pursuit in this new direction. To avoid being misunderstood, he specifies that his conversion has not already brought him to his final goal. He indicates that he still longed deeply and personally strives to be brought to that perfect completeness– spiritual maturity.                                       

A.  THERE WAS A HOLY DISSATISFACTION WITH PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS. (Phil. 3:12-13a) “Not as though I had already attained!”

   1.  Great Achievers Do Not Allow themselves to get too Satisfied.  Vs. 12

This is the statement of a great Christian who never permitted himself to be satisfied with his spiritual attainments.  No matter how much he had grown, learned, or accomplished he yet strived to do even more. This was not disheartening but enlivening!

       A.  He Was Perfectly Satisfied with Christ.

Obviously, Paul was satisfied with Jesus Christ (Phil 3:8,10).  He was thoroughly enjoying Knowing Christ, Sharing the Righteousness of Christ, and Fellowshipping with Christ. 

       B.  He Was Never Satisfied with His Christian Progress.

Paul was not satisfied with his Christian life. A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race.

ILLUSTRATION:  Harry came out of the manager's office with a look on his face dismal enough to wilt the roses on the secretary's desk.

"You didn't get fired?" she asked.

"No, it's not that bad. But he sure did lay into me about my sales record. I can't figure it out; for the past month I've been bringing in plenty of orders. I thought he'd compliment me, but instead he told me to get with it."

Later in the day, the secretary talked to her boss about Harry. The boss chuckled. "Harry is one of our best salesmen and I'd hate to lose him. But he has a tendency to rest on his laurels and be satisfied with his performance If I didn't get him mad at me once a month, he'd never produce!"

    2.  Great Achievers Aim for Perfection (Maturity).   Vs. 12, 15

       A.  They Don’t Compare Themselves with Others.   Vs. 12, “I”

Many Christians are self-satisfied because they compare their "running" with that of other Christians, usually those who are not making much progress. Had Paul compared himself with others, he would have been tempted to be proud and perhaps to let up a bit. After all, there were not too many believers in Paul's day who had experienced all that he had!

        B.  They Do Compare Themselves with Christ.   Vs.  12, “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

But Paul did not compare himself with others; he compared himself with himself and with Jesus Christ!  He understood with sharp precision what God required and expected of him and stretched himself to achieve it. Such a process focuses on maturity as the target.

             1.  Pursue Perfection (Maturity).

The dual use of the word "perfect" in Phil 3:12 and 15 explains his thinking.

                    A.  He Had Not Yet Arrived at Perfection (Phil 3:12). 

                          1.  The Christian Life is a Process of Growth.

Paul saw the Christian life as a process. While believers are considered righteous when they accept salvation, their entire lives are marked by growth toward Christlikeness. Complete perfection will not be obtained until Christ's second coming, when he will take his people with him.

2 Peter 1:5-8, And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                          2.  The Christian Life is Pursuing More Christlikeness.

While Paul may have seemed like a nearly perfect Christian to his Philippian friends, he emphasized that he had not obtained perfect “knowledge of Christ,” the “power of his resurrection,” the “fellowship of his suffering,” and conformity to his death (Phil.3:10).  All of these were part of the process of sanctification -- of getting to know Christ better and better as he lived the Christian life.—W. W. Wiersbe

                    B.  But, Paul Was "Perfect" [mature] (Phil 3:15). 

One mark of this maturity is the knowledge that he is not perfect! The mature Christian honestly evaluates himself and strives to do better. And even Paul, despite all his sufferings and victories for Christ, still had much to learn. He had not yet been made perfect. He knew that only upon Christ's return would all believers be made perfect in knowledge and experience, but he was willing to press on to take hold of the goal -- living and working for Christ -- because of what Christ had done for him.

             2.  Evaluate Honestly.

Often in the Bible we are warned against a false estimate of our spiritual condition. (Rom. 12:3)

                 A.  The church at Sardis had "a name that thou livest, and art dead" (Rev 3:1). They had reputation without reality.

                 B.  The church at Laodicea boasted that it was rich, when in God's sight it was "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17).

                 C.  In contrast to the Laodicean church, the believers at Smyrna thought they were poor when they were really rich! (Rev 2:9)

                 D.  Samson thought he still had his old power, but in reality it had departed from him (Judg 16:20).

We must have times, especially after failures and great success where we learn what can from our history. In failures we must learn what to avoid, and in successes we can learn what to carry forward. There is no time for envy, jealousy, self-pity, and excessive introspection!

             3.  Press Onward and Upward!  Phil 3:12, “but I follow after, if that I may apprehend”

The evaluation of our growth and fellowship with Christ must involve a determination to press onward and upward toward the goal of finishing the race and securing the prize. But, self-evaluation can be a dangerous thing, because we can err in two directions:

                  A.  Making Ourselves Better than We Are, or

                  B.  Making Ourselves Worse than We Really Are.

                  C.  Taking Initiative to Improve and Progress.

Paul had no illusions about himself; he still had to keep "pressing forward" in order to “apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

APPLICATION: A divine dissatisfaction is essential for spiritual progress in the Lord. Do you have this? Psalm 42:1-2, As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. [2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

True Christian faith is often called a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ, and verses like Phil. 3:10,12-14 describes it best. A relationship requires two persons, each actively searching, seeking, and building a bond between them. We must seek after God like a thirsty deer hunting for a watering hole and refreshing drink!  We should actually “pant” for the Lord— our souls should be yearning, craving and heavily throbbing for fellowship and time with God. There should be and anxiousness in our soul—a spiritual kind of addiction to God in which we literally MUST have time alone with Him!

APPLICATION:  God is already in deliberate pursuit of fellowship and sharing life with you!  In your spiritual life, God really takes the initiative (“I am apprehended of Christ Jesus”— Christ takes hold of us with a goal in mind), then we enter into it (“I press toward the mark”– pressing on) to pursue all that our new friendship and fellowship offers. We are truly relating to each other, together pursuing God's goal for all creation—eternal life free of all pain, all death, all sin. Are you pressing on, taking responsibility for your progress in faith and character? What steps are you taking to know Christ better?

CONCLUSION:

It is an exciting experience to run the race daily, "looking unto Jesus" (Heb 12:1-2). It will be even more exciting when we experience all that the “high calling” entails when Jesus returns to take us to Heaven! Then we will stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive our rewards! It was this future prospect that motivated Paul, and it can also motivate us.

Successful people are willing to do things unsuccessful people will not do. One of those things is learning from our past.

Finally, consider our NEED for God’s forgiveness, salvation—a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

     1. Every Person that Ever Lived Has Been Impacted by Sin– We All are Sinners.

Isaiah 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

So, you see we all are sinners—transgressors of God’s law and under the divine death penalty. We are guilty and desperately need God’s forgiveness. Do you sense your need for God’s forgiveness for your life of sin? Remember, confession is acknowledging God's standards of morality and the truth that we have not lived up to his requirements. It is admitting, "I don't measure up...either." 

     2.  The Results and Consequences of a Life of Sin is Death. 

Ezek 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

If you spend your life serving Master Sin, then you can expect to receive the wages of Master Sin. The wages of Sin are the death penalty!

              a.   Physical Death—Rom. 5:12,14

              b.   Spiritual Death—Eph. 2:1; 4:18

              c.   Eternal Death—Rev. 20:15

The evidence that we all have sinned is the fact that we die physically. Physical death is also indicative of pervasive spiritual separation from God as a human condition. Eternal death is nothing short of suffering forever in the Lake of Fire. When deciding it is best to have all the necessary information.

     3. We Greatly NEED to be Born Again, Born by God in a Spiritual Manner!

We all were born spiritually dead in sin with our first earthly and natural birth (Eph. 2:1).  In the new birth we are finally made alive to the living reality of God and brought into a relationship with Him who is “life!” The Lord Jesus insisted upon this fact in John 3:5-6, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” He continues in John 3:7, saying to Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Firmly our Lord asserts this requirement. The life-giving element of the new birth is aptly communicated by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:23, where he says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” We safely conclude that the new birth comes from God’s Word also. Accordingly, theses verses tell us our new birth is the product of the Spirit and the Word of God. The Spirit uses the Gospel (God’s Word) to bring about regeneration in the soul and spirit of the repentant/believing person. Being born again is the impartation of a new and divine nature-life; a new creation; the production of a new thing deep within (2 Cor. 5:17). It is a New Birth from above, from God—the new life-giving Source! Now instead of being lost, separated from God, and in the death of our sins, we are saved, alive to God, and free of the guilt and responsibility for our sins.

     4. The Key is Trusting Christ as our Savior.

Paul outlines this in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification before The Father. It is crucial that we understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

I have given you all you need to know to understand your guilt before a holy God. I know how this must feel. I am not good enough for God to accept me without me embracing his forgiveness. God promises to save all who will acknowledge their sins to Him while trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior. Remember sin is defined as violations of God's Laws. We have put idols before the true and living God. We are guilty of taking God's Name in vain. We have not honored our parents fully and always. We have not treated people with real love and respect exclusively. We do not measure up to the perfection of God's standard of morality. We stand before a completely All-knowing Judge as guilty of sin-crimes against Him. We NEED His forgiveness...He offers us forgiveness not condemnation. With this being the case...condemnation is something you chose by refusing Christ.

I encourage you to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Savior to recue you from the penalty of sin in the Lake of Fire. Repent and believe on the Lord today.

Looking to Jesus

These Hebrew believers were experiencing some forms of persecution. MacDonald and Farstad (Believer’s Bible Commentary) noted this in light of the fact that these believers had forsaken Judaism for Christ. Thus they were facing bitter religious and social opposition. There was a danger that they might construe their distresses as indications of God’s displeasure. If this were to happen, they might become disheartened and cave in under the pressure. Worst of all, they might be tempted to give in to the religious pressures and return to the law, the temple and the sacrificial system.

Continuation is the emphasis of this first paragraph of Hebrews twelve, and ‘pressing on’ is presented in the metaphor of a race. If one is to run a race successfully, he must be focused on the goal and determined to endure. Continuing the Christian race likewise will require single-mindedness concentration on Christ and endurance throughout (Heb. 12:1-4). But how should the Christian go about this arduous undertaking? First it is by considering the great cloud of witnesses regarding both their example and limitations (12:1). One should continue by imitating Christ’s example of endurance as the perfect Model for Christians (12:2-3). Then thirdly, one can successfully complete his race by remembering their struggles could be much worse and their battles far more intense (12:4). Categorically, careful thought and consideration should be given to what Christians must do to run their race well. There are four primary considerations.

CONSIDER THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES

The life of faith has been wonderfully and adequately demonstrated by this “great cloud” of Old Testament “witnesses” as disclosed in chapter 11 (Heb. 12:1). They illustrate what it means to obey God in spite of the circumstances. What an inspiration it is to read about the great things they experienced and endured because they believed God and acted on His truth. These Hebrew believers should remember also how many of these extraordinary believers from Old Testament times suffered greatly as they obeyed God. Suffering for righteousness sake is a part of the faith journey. This realization drives home the point that their sufferings were not unique. Many of the “witnesses” (Hebrews 11) suffered severely as a result of their loyalty to the Lord, yet they endured (11:36-39). Therefore, the witnesses inspire others to persevere through their own grueling and arduous struggles. The witnesses do not illustrate quitting.

Their exercise of faith demanded unflinching perseverance. This is in spite of the fact that they enjoyed significantly inferior privileges! How then can a Christian who has access to God, a great high priest, a new and living way, a better tabernacle, a perfect sacrifice, a greater prophet, a new testament, an eternal inheritance, and a complete faith cave in to human opposition and cower away from a bold profession of Christ Jesus the Lord. Indeed the “better things” of Christianity have come (11:40). With greater privilege comes greater responsibility!

CONSIDER RUNNING THE RACE WITH PATIENCE

The Christian life is a race that requires discipline and endurance. The Lord with the utmost thoughtfulness has designed a course or race for each child of God to run. It is “set before us.” It is not a competition against other believers, but a challenge to remain on stride with God’s expressed and personalized plan for each believer. Knowing the Lord designed their race course heartens the believer to continue the race with “patience”—undaunted persistence. The race was not contrived by a detached tyrant, but premeditated by a faithful, merciful, and empathetic Christ.

As Christians run, they must strip themselves of everything that would impede their progress. Newell said (Hebrews Verse by Verse), “runners strip themselves of every weight possible, wearing the lightest clothing, the lightest shoes! Many a weight carrier who eventually get to Heaven, will be passed on the way by those who have laid weights aside.” “Weights” are things that may be harmless in themselves and yet hinder progress according to MacDonald and Farstad in the Believer’s Bible Commentary. A Christian’s weights could include material possessions, family ties, the love of comfort, deference to convenience, and lack of mobility. In the Olympic races, there is no rule against carrying an over coat, extra changes of clothing, snow boots, several pieces of luggage, and a backpack with an abundance of food and beverages, but the runner can never win the race that way. Christians in a race desiring to continue their profession of Christ must run light. 

Christians must also lay aside the sin which so easily besets and ensnares them. Certainly this could refer to any form of sin—rebellion, unbelief, or transgression. Sins of omission as well as commission can readily be included in this admonition. Newell noted, “Sin is as natural to the flesh as it is for an animal to breathe. And the moment the eye is taken off Christ, you have the certainty of the sin besetting you.” However, the essential and most particular idea of sin here likely refers to the sin of unbelief. Christians are called upon to believe God regardless; to follow Christ outside the gates to bear His reproach. They must stop toying around with the ideas of compromise, quitting, or apostasy. They must have complete trust in the promises of God and entire confidence that the life of faith is sure to win.

Believers must guard against the notion that the race is an easy sprint. The idea that things will be easy, nice, cordial, uncomplicated, and free of opposition must evaporate in the sunlight of reality—the Christian life is no plush experience. No, believers must be prepared to press on with resolute and unwavering tenacity through all trials and temptations.

CONSIDER FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF FAITH

Christians’ supreme Model in the faith race is the Lord Jesus. Though the “great cloud of witnesses” are admirable, Christ is the focal point in the most complete sense of the Christian race. The “great cloud of witnesses” did not experience the fullness of the promises of God (11:39, 40), therefore they are limited as examples. The Lord Jesus; however, is the most complete faith Racer and believers can confidently look to Him. Therefore, throughout the race, Christians should look away from every other object and keep their eyes riveted on Christ Jesus, their foremost Runner (Heb. 12:2).

Newell (Hebrews Verse by Verse, pg. 402) noted that the Lord Jesus “Himself had perfect faith!” He is “the Author,” ‘Pioneer,’ or ‘File Leader’ of their faith in the sense that He has provided them with the only perfect and complete example of what the life of faith is like. Christ’s example of faith is unique and stands out from the previously mentioned examples. Thayer said of Christ, “Who in the pre-eminence of His faith far surpassed the examples commemorated in Chapter 11.” Jesus “pioneered” the path of faith Christians should follow. They must look objectively at Christ Jesus as the most outstanding “Witness” to the life of faith!

Jesus Christ is also the “Finisher” of believers’ faith. He is the ‘Perfecter’ or ‘Completer’ of the life of faith. He not only began the race but finished it triumphantly. He “perfected” the way of faith since He reached its end successfully. But how did the Lord Jesus exercise faith? In what way did He model the faith life?

Essentially the Lord Jesus kept His eye on “the joy that was set before Him,” (12:2) and as a result He obtained an eternal throne (1:9). Just as each Christian has a certain race “set before” them to run, Christ had a special object of joy “set” before Him. The Lord Jesus set Himself to the course with discipline and endurance. He completed every grueling inch of it to the glory of the Father and the redemption of sinners. He actually finished His course, while the Old Testament worthies will do so in the future. In so doing the Lord Jesus “please God” “by faith!” He even “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). MacDonald and Farstad (The Believer’s Bible Commentary) quipped,

For Him the race course stretched from heaven to Bethlehem, then on to Gethsemane and Calvary, then out of the tomb and back to heaven. At no time did He falter or turn back. He kept His eyes fixed on the coming glory when all the redeemed would be gathered with Him eternally. This enabled Him to think nothing of shame and to endure suffering and death. Today He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Believers must keep their sharing and participation in that “joy” and glory clearly in view. After enduring the cross and scorning its shame, Jesus assumed that triumphant position at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12). This foreshadowed and signifies His and the believers’ final victory (Heb. 1:13-14). But don’t miss the point of points here: Jesus pleased God by enduring the hardness by faith. Yes, the Lord Jesus completely satisfied His Father’s holy will. He was ‘pleasing to God’ in the utmost and here once again as throughout the book of Hebrews, God gives His “good report” (Heb. 11:2, 6, 39) about Christ the Author and Finisher of Faith! Christians are to follow this Example of submission, obedience, and “please God” also by continuing in faith. Christ did not draw back, nor must they.

Believers are to rivet their spiritual eyes on Christ and never let them stray from His glorious Example. If they fail to recognize what horrid trials He endured, they could easily become “wearied and faint” in their minds (12:3). It is this consideration of Christ’s sufferings that heartens. This consciousness of the Son of God writhing in agony of body and soul to fulfill God’s will is a most potent medicine. Not only this, but coupled with Christ’s joy and glory that followed, Christians spirits are raised to continue (Heb. 12:3)!

CONSIDER NOTING THAT THINGS COULD BE WORSE

Someone has wisely noted that things could be a lot worse. This was expressed as an incentive to be thankful. Walvoord and Zuck (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) noted, “Nothing is more natural for a person than to overestimate the severity of his trials. The writer did not want his audience to do that.” Thus this is an appeal to embrace a clear and accurate perspective about what they have endured thus far. Compared to what the Lord Jesus went through, no Christian has room to feel too much is required of him or her as they face oppositions.

Now the picture or metaphor changes from a race to a fight against sin—a struggle to counter evil and unrighteousness (12:3). The word “striving” (12:4) is used to introduce this shift in emphasis. MacDonald and Farstad (Believer’s Bible Commentary) said,

Their undaunted Captain is the Lord Jesus; no one ever endured such hostility from sinners as He. Whenever they have a tendency to grow weary and discouraged, they should think of what He went through. Their trials will seem trifling by comparison.

Christians are indeed engaged in a perpetual fight—intense war—against sin (12:4). That is believers must continue in conflict against “sinful men” who opposed them. They must also strive against their own sinful tendencies; resisting all unholy impulses in order to maintain a steadfast Christian profession. Newell observes, “Blessed is the man that has made no inner truce with sin!” Yet they have not resisted to the point of bloodshed, that is, to the point of death. Squarely Christ Jesus did!  Their present situation was indeed challenging, but conditions could deteriorate further. Though things were difficult, they could get a great deal worse. Still they must endure with Christ always before them as their central focus and the joy of being with Him in glory will strengthen them. How are they to pull off such a challenge? The answer is obvious…by looking unto Jesus by faith. He has already successfully blazed the trail before every believer and they must follow Him to the finish line by faith. There enthroned in Heaven, Christ bears testimony to the fact that though the journey is hard, it is still worth it in the end. So, run your race with patience. 

Will The Spirit Contradict The Bible?

Is it possible for the Spirit of God to teach us something different from the Bible’s statements? Must I choose between Bible knowledge and spiritual power? Is it pleasing to God to base my beliefs on my feelings and experiences? Should I discard a belief if it does not match the Bible’s statements? These are real questions sincere Believers grapple with on a regular basis. This is largely because “Christianity” in the modern world is extremely diverse in its practices. This is not only true when considering the entire country, but also within the average size city. In addition, there are a number of methods employed by Christians to interpret the Bible. Different groups have come to different conclusions based on their system of interpreting the Bible. Some movements emphasize Bible content, others the fundamentals of the faith, while yet others place more stock in experiences and feelings. As a result worship styles vary vastly across the land. My point here is not to debate worship styles, but to look at something more foundational to our spiritual formation. What is that you ask? Well…how we view the ministry of the Spirit of truth and His usages of the Word of truth to develop and mature disciples for the Lord Jesus. More specifically, should we be satisfied with any beliefs that do not match the Bible’s teachings? Is what we believe the same as what God believes? Such considerations focus our attention on the Author and the best Teacher of the Bible. Yes, God wants to teach us the Bible to establish how we view all of life.

THE INSPIRER OF SCRIPTURE

Think with me about the thoughts of Paul beginning in 1Corinthians 2:13, where we discover the Spirit inspires the truths He teaches to believers. So the Spirit is the Revealer, Investigator, and Inspirer of Truth! That is correct; the Spirit is the divine Author of the Holy Scriptures (2Pet. 1:19-21). Consider carefully Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Recall how the Lord Jesus promised that the Spirit would faithfully teach His followers (John 14:26) and skillfully guide us into all facets of God’s eternal truth (John 16:13). It is also important to note carefully the sequence here: the Spirit taught Paul from the Word, and Paul then taught the believers. The truth of God is found in the Word of God because of inspiration. The Word is truth! Being taught by the Spirit is not a subjective intra-personal subliminal mental exercise! No, it is attention to objective inspired truth! The words of a self-proclaimed prophet may not be true at all, and the words and comments of a sincere pastor may be entirely wrong as well.  Truth is always found in God’s written Word. You may not be able to trust what well intentioned men say, but you can trust the Word of God.  Specifically, I trust my King James Bible.

In addition, it is very important to note that these spiritual truths Paul is referring to are given in specific “words.”  Yes, like other faithful Bible students, I believe in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. In the Bible, we Christians have much more than inspired thoughts; we have inspired words—words from the heart of God. Read carefully and thoughtfully what the Lord Jesus says, “For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest” (John 17:8). Jesus was referring to the verbal units that comprise thoughts and concepts; Beloved, He recognizes them as having belonged to God. By Verbal Inspiration is meant the very words of Scripture are God’s words. Inspiration goes beyond the concepts and message to the actual words. It is through specific words that we convey our exact meaning and message. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew  4:4,  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Again Christ places extraordinary weight on the actual wording of a sentence of Scripture and not merely the general concepts. In this light it is utterly consistent to conclude the Bible is actually God’s Word. Yes, the Bible’s content testifies to the fact that God is its actual Author. Like anything God communicates, His words and message to us Christians is absolutely reliable and free of any error because of the Great Inspirer—The Holy Spirit.

THE INSTRUCTOR OF SCRIPTURE

Still how does the Spirit teach the believer? First of all Paul employed the word “teacheth” (1Cor. 2:13) to describe the Spirit’s work. The Spirit is the Teacher; He desires to instruct and guide every genuine child of God through the wealth of the Scriptures. Robertson (1931, Volume 4, p. 88,) in Word Pictures in the New Testament viewed this word as a reference to the teaching ministry of the Spirit.  Note his comment, “Paul claims the help of the Holy Spirit in the utterance … of the words, which the Spirit teacheth… in words taught by the Spirit”. Therefore one taught by God would be considered ‘instructed’ from a subjective standpoint, but objectively they were given spiritual insights ‘communicated by teaching.’ Thus the apostles were Spirit taught. The Spirit of God taught them objective spiritual truth.

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Zodhiates 1993) says this Greek word means “to teach” and states,

In 1 Cor. 2:13 it refers to things or lessons taught or imparted or suggested by the Holy Spirit as contrasted to the things taught by words of human wisdom. There are things that are not taught by human wisdom but by God's Spirit, and the possibility of that learning is with everybody as the word "all" makes clear in John 6:45.

One natural implication is that all believers are taught by the Spirit as they yield to Him. One more comment here will suffice to communicate most conclusively the teaching ministry of the Spirit directly and through human instrumentality. Paul emphasized that the intellectuals of this world could not teach the knowledge he was giving to the Corinthian believers. It has been further suggested (Nelson Study Bible 1997) that the Spirit did not simply dictate words to Paul and the other apostles; He taught them. The apostles related with their own vocabulary and style what they had learned from the Spirit. Thus in many regards they wrote and taught Scripture from highly developed understandings of the material.

 Not only does the Spirit teach directly and indirectly, but He combines and compares “spiritual things with spiritual” realities (1Cor. 2:13). He habitually shows the relationship between concepts and truths. The Spirit repeats and reminds the student of the insights, messages, and truths He has taught us previously (John 14:26). He relates the formerly learned truth to something new he desires to educate and edify with. Then the Spirit wisely leads the child of God into new discoveries, new insights, and new applications of old truth. The grandness of this privilege cannot be overstated—believers are taught by God! What a blessing it is to research, compare passages, cross reference verses, and grasp Bible terms as the Spirit of the Living God reveals truths about the Father, the Lord Jesus, Himself, redemption, sanctification and on and on the wonderful list goes. One of the joys of Bible study is suddenly seeing a concept in broader biblical usages. Another blessing is realizing that I have been brought to a certain conclusion by the Spirit’s teaching ministry in my life. Beloved, how cool is that!

What a wonder to witness the Spirit combining, connecting, and linking spiritual realities to other truths. With awesome skill He carefully synchronizes, blends, inculcates, compares, distinguish, contrasts, and harmonizes God’s truths to the benefit of the believer’s comprehension of God and His will. The tragedy of all tragedies is many Christians are too busy or too distracted by the entertainment world for this kind of research and quiet meditation before the Word.  The priorities of worldliness, materialism, and personal achievement have effectively crowd out any faint ambitions to know God intimately. The result is a spiritually bankrupt brand of Christianity where all types of maladies further and hasten its deterioration. This is why Christians are so impoverished, weakened, and ignorant of God. It is not that Christianity is irrelevant, or inconsequential. No Christians are attempting to live without a Spirit-taught knowledge of God. What enrichment they forfeit, what peace they forego, and what principles they live without! Warren Wiersbe (1989, Vol. 1, p. 576) in The Bible Exposition Commentary said further,

The Holy Spirit is like a householder who “bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matt 13:52). The new always comes out of the old and helps us better understand the old. God gives us new insights into old truths as we compare one part of Scripture with another. Jesus based His teaching on the Old Testament, yet people were amazed at what He taught because it was so fresh and exciting.  I suggest that you make time every day to read the Word and meditate on it. Follow a regular schedule in your reading and give yourself time to pray, think, and meditate. Let the Spirit of God search the Word and teach you. The study and application of basic Bible doctrine can transform your life.

Beloved, life was designed to be experienced with God; God created us for Himself. We are grossly incomplete without Him. The Holy Spirit’s teaching and instruction ministry in our lives brings us into some realizations of this original design of God. Mentoring and coaching are intimate interactions among people. The same is true of the Spirit’s mentoring and teaching ministry in our lives. Some lessons we will enjoy more than other. There will be occasions when the Spirit confronts our sin and seeks restoration with God. While this may feel uncomfortable it is so vital to our spiritual formation. We can count on the Spirit to always be timely and relevant in what He teaches us because He knows us far better than we know ourselves. Trust His guidance from one subject to the next knowing He always has our highest good in mind.

Lastly, prepare yourself for a few surprises. The Spirit will correct our misconception about God more than once. You and I do not know yet what we presently know wrongly. Again trust the Spirit of God to carefully guide you through the applicable Bible passages to help you come to the correct conclusions. Honestly, all of us without any exception have some misconceptions about God that requires tweaking. Just be honest with God and submissive to the Scriptures.

Remember, what the Spirit of God teaches will always be consistent with what is taught in the body of Scripture. The Holy Spirit is not confused. He does not impress us with ideas or concepts that contradict His own statements in the Bible. The Spirit teaches from the Bible. If we think or believe something and it does not align with the Scriptures, then we have believed a lie. The Spirit of God is the Author and Teacher of the Bible. He will not lead you and me to contradictory conclusions. He always agrees with the Bible He wrote. I have heard sincere Christians say, “I do not care what the Bible says…I know what the Spirit of God told me!” I have also witnessed Christians saying, “I just go with it…I cannot explain it from the Bible, but I believe it is of the Spirit of God.” May I say with all humility of heart, that the Bible’s statements matter most to the Spirit of God, and He will not show us or teach us anything that is not consistent with His Bible. Our experiences do not establish truth; the Bible is truth. Our conclusions do not establish truth; the Bible is truth according to the Lord Jesus (Jn. 17:17). The Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn. 4:6) will only communicate truth from the Word of Truth (2Cor. 6:7; Eph. 1:13; 2Tim. 2:15; Js. 1:18) as written in the Bible. Beloved, when we believe something claiming it is from the Spirit of Truth, but cannot substantiate that conclusion from the Word of Truth, it is quite likely we have believed a lie. Listen carefully…have the faith and holy courage to take what the Bible clearly says when correctly interpreted over what you feel, have experienced, or think. Submit yourself to the teaching and instructing ministry of the Spirit of God on that subject with the hope of emerging from that study with a correct perception of God and His Word. Whenever you open your Bible, ask the Spirit of Truth to teach and guide you into all truth. He will teach you wondrous things out of His holy Book. May you know wonderful blessings as you chose to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and a student of the Spirit in the Word of God. 

The Miracle of Inspiration

What does the Bible literally say concerning inspiration? What should I believe about the Bible’s origin and how reliable is its message? When we bring up the question of the infallibility of the Bible we are opening the subject of “inspiration.” Unfortunately, this word is grossly misunderstood when applied to the Bible. Therefore, we will look to the Scriptures and the Spirit of God to help us explore this important truth to the Christian Faith.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness . . .”

Another key passage for understanding inspiration is 2 Peter 1:20–21, which says, “… no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

These two incredible passages when properly understood greatly contribute to our grasp of the miracle of biblical inspiration.

THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION

2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

"Inspiration" means to inhale air, and the Bible rightfully claims that its words were breathed in by Almighty God through chosen men of old.  The word “inspired,” when it is used in reference to the Bible, is a technical term meaning “God-breathed.” The term "inspiration" is used twice in Scripture (Job 32:8; 2 Ti. 3:16). In the N.T. it is the key term selected by God to describe the nature of the Bible’s origin. There are basically three views regarding inspiration:

   1.  The Humanistic View of Inspiration: The Bible is inspired only in the sense that great human writings, such as those of Shakespeare, are inspired. We commonly speak of artists having been inspired to do such a great work.

Shakespeare was inspired when he wrote Hamlet. An inspired Beethoven penned his Fifth Symphony. Michelangelo was inspired when he painted the Sistine Chapel. Sir Laurence Olivier gave an inspired performance of Richard III. Luciano Pavarotti sang an inspired role in Puccini's La Boheme. By these uses of “inspired” we mean, simply, that they transcend the ordinary. The individual reached down within himself and produced a work that was extraordinary even for other geniuses, or even for himself. This is not what is meant when we say the Bible is inspired.  2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God . . .

   2.  The Partial View of Inspiration. Some believe the Bible is inspired in those matters not affecting science, but that there are historical and scientific errors in the Bible. This common theory is usually expressed by the statement, “The Bible Contains the word of God.”  They don’t all agree on which parts are and which are not.  Furthermore who should be the judge? (R.J. Sargent)

Usually they question things like the Biblical Creation Account, whether or not Adam and Eve were literal people, the Flood of Noah and the Ark, the Sun Standing Still for Joshua, the Crossing of the Red Sea, and other places in the Bible where scientific reference is made.   The Bible literally teaches that all Scripture is given by inspiration.   2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

    3.  The Perfect View of Inspiration: The Bible is perfectly inspired and contains no error. It is this latter view that is supported by the Bible itself. The Bible claims to be the perfect, inspired Word of God.

Psalm 119:160, Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Matthew 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

       a. Inspiration. "A supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given Divine trustworthiness" (B. B. Warfield, "Inspiration," Int. Stand. Bible Ency., p. 1473).

       b. In Defining Scriptural Inspiration Three Factors must Be Kept in Mind:

2 Peter 1:20-21

             1. The Source.  The Primary Efficient Cause, the Holy Spirit, who acts upon man. 

             2. The Scribe.  The Subject of Inspiration, Man, the agent upon whom the Holy Spirit acts directly. 

             3. The Scriptures. The Result of Inspiration, a Written Revelation, given once for all, thoroughly accredited and tested by miracle and fulfilled prophecy. (cf. J. E. Steinmueller, Companion to Scripture Studies [1941], 1:5, 14).

THE MIRACLE OF INSPIRATION

The two outstanding Scripture references regarding the doctrine of inspiration are given a brief treatment in the following paragraphs:

   1. The Miracle of Divine Inspiration as Taught in  II Peter 1:21.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

This Scripture clearly teaches two aspects of inspiration:

      a. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved Human Penmanship- “ ... holy men of God”

The Bible is not a product of man's will (v. 21). Other books are the product of the will of the human author, but not the Bible. God chose certain men and moved in them to deliver His message. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit the things they spoke were the words of God.

     b. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved Divine Authorship- “... moved by the Holy Ghost”

An analysis of this particular verse makes it clear that God was the active Source of the Scriptures.

           1.  The Word "Moved" (Grk. “Pheromenoi") Means "Borne Along." God did not follow the human writers to correct any of their mistakes, or intervene if necessary - rather, the writers were consciously, willingly, carried along. As God gave the words, they wrote. (The same Greek word is translated "driven" in Acts 27:17, where the ship was totally controlled by the wind, at the mercy of the storm.)

           2. Thus the Inspiration of the Bible Is a Supernatural Miracle Wrought By the Spirit. God used approximately 40 human writers of varying occupations and education, over a time span of about 1,600 years; He gave us a Book with amazing unity.  Why?  Because there is only one Author!

      c. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved a Mysterious Method.

This passage (2 Pet. 1:19-21) explains the method whereby the Bible was given. God used men, but He used them in such a way that what they wrote was precisely God's Word. When the Bible touches on inspiration and revelation, it focuses on God. We are told very little about the actual mechanism.

            1.  The Details of the Method of Inspiration Is an Unrevealed Mystery.

It was accomplished mysteriously by the Holy Spirit. We are not supposed to fret about the method of inspiration; we are supposed to believe God's testimony that it happened and we are to have faith in the finished product, the Holy Scriptures.

             2.  Modern Bible Scholars Usually Over Look the Power and Wisdom of God When It Comes to Inspiration.  They do just the opposite of what the Scriptures do in reference to inspiration. They focus on man's part rather than upon God. That is because most modern scholars do not operate by the principle of faith. They are operating by their own intellect and by the means of human scholarship. No man can know the perfect Word of God through scholarship, for "without faith it is impossible to please him" (He. 11:6).

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

             3.  The Phrase "private interpretation" (vs 20) Refers to the Writers of the Bible.  In the context this is referring to the giving of revelation, rather than to the understanding or explaining of it. Peter is here dealing with the origin of the Bible and not with the way men interpret it after it has been given.  The point is that when the prophets sat down to write they did not give their own renditions, explanations, or conclusions. This word “interpretation” means ‘origin’ and it describes the way in which the Word came into being in the first place.  The Bible writers did not personally interpret God's revelation to mankind; they were given God's revelation by the Holy Spirit.

             4.  Believers Have No Reason to Worry About The Accuracy and Reliability of the Bible!  In a day when many deny the authority of the Scriptures, it is extremely important that we stand firmly for the verbal, plenary inspiration of the inerrant Word.  Yes, our Bible is without error and is reliable not only in doctrine, but in history, science, chronology, and all other areas.

   2. The Miracle of Divine Inspiration as Taught in  II Timothy 3:16.

2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The important phrase is “... inspiration of God...." Those who delight in the original languages tell us the Greek word translated "inspired" "theopneustos," literally means "God-breathed." This Scripture clearly teaches its divine Authorship.

These two passages together picture Scripture as coming to us from God through men. But these men were not writing purely human documents. They were being supernaturally guided to write what God wanted written, though no evidence suggests that they were taking dictation from God or anything of the sort. Each man's own personality, background, writing style, and temperament come through. You can tell when you are reading John instead of Paul, for example. Once you get to know their styles, they are easily identifiable. Jeremiah did not write like Isaiah. God worked through human agents so that, using their own individual characteristics, they composed and recorded without error God's revelation to humanity in the words of the original manuscripts or letters.  And of course these very words have been preserved for us today according to the Lord’s own sure promises. (Source Unknown)

    3.  The Miracle of Divine Inspiration As Taught in Other Passages.

The claim of Inspiration is made thousands of times in Scripture as we find the true claim that God is the Author. Phrases such as "thus saith the Lord" and "the word of God" permeate the Bible. By one author’s count, these phrases are used 1,783 times in the Old Testament exclusive of the Psalms. Consider the following examples:

         a. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel" (Ex. 34:27).                                                             

         b. “The spirit of the Lord spake by me and His word was in my tongue" (2 Sa. 23:2).

         c. “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken" (Is. 1:2).

         d. “Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak ... Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth" (Je. 1:7,9).

         e.  "Thou shalt speak my words unto them" (Eze. 2:7).

         f.  "All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet" (Mt. 1:22; 2:15).

         g.  "David himself said by the Holy Ghost" (Mk. 12:36).

         h.  "He spake by the mouth of His holy prohets, which have been since the world began" (Lk. 1:70).

         i.  "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Ac. 3:21).

If the Bible is not the Word of God, it is the greatest lie that has ever been perpetrated upon humanity. These key passages demonstrate beyond any doubt where the Bible came from in the first place. Clearly the Word of God came from God; He inspired the Scriptures!

Today we have defined the Bible concept of inspiration in order to support our conviction that the Bible should be the final authority in the believer’s life. We can have confidence in the accuracy of the Bible (KJV) and should respect  its authority. We now understand that the Bible is not merely a work of humans, but a work of God.   From this day forward view your Bible as the Breath of God—The Word of God; indeed it was given by inspiration!