A New Direction

Asking questions must be a God-given attribute—if we did not ask questions, we would not search for truth—or receive a revelation of truth. (Revelation is Scripture that God opens up for us. He illuminates His Word in our hearts and minds.)

However, after God gives us meaningful answers via revelation, the nature of our curiosity changes. For an example of this, look at the Old Testament character named Job. After God answered his questions via a revelation, Job could only say things like, I am unworthy—how can I reply? . . . (Job 40:4a NIV)

Isaiah’s response was similar when he received a revelation: Woe is me! . . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips . . . and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. (Is. 6:5)

But neither man stopped searching; their quests simply took off in new directions. The new concern became pleasing God—and discovering how to follow His Will. That requires asking questions, too.

Originally published October 4, 1985.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Seeking Truth?

If our goal is looking for hidden sin in others—or finding a flaw in their logic—or revealing their financial blunder—we best beware. There is a good chance we’re no longer seeking truth.

It may even mean we feel threatened—that we’re looking for problems in others so we can hide our own guilt.

This was the case of the Pharisees or the religious authorities of Jesus' time. Jesus confronted their deceit. He spoke of how they strictly followed legal requirements while failing to show mercy. He spoke of their desire for public recognition. Then He expanded His indictment to include Scribes and Lawyers as well.

That Jesus was speaking truth was obvious to everyone. The only defense for these leaders was to find fault in Jesus. That might take the attention away from themselves. So, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. (Lk. 11:53b,54) They weren’t seeking truth.

If they had taken Jesus’ words to heart they could have received from Him. They didn’t want to hear someone who would challenge their comfortable world.

Originally published September 18, 1992.
Picture: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

The Teacher

Jesus' teaching was revolutionary during His life, and it is revolutionary today. When the crowds following Him grew increasingly large, He walked up mountainsides so the people could see Him and hear His message more easily.

Much of Jesus’ teaching is recorded in the Sermon on the Mount. He reviewed Old Testament concepts by expanding them. He opened up their meaning for the people and revealed new applications of God’s love. Perhaps He did this because many people had an incomplete understanding of the Scriptures.

Jesus offered a solution for people who have trouble understanding God’s Word. He told them to ask for help. One of the concepts He taught was, "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. . . ." (Mt. 7:7 NIV)

The crowds were amazed at His teaching because He taught as one who had authority. . . . (Mt. 5:28) Perhaps we’re amazed, too. We need to ask, seek, and knock. We need to look to the One who speaks with authority.

Originally published February 18, 1983.

Contend Earnestly

Peace from God doesn’t mean loss of conflict. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, and Jude verbally offered peace when he wrote, Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude, v. 2 NKJV) Jude also supported conflict when he wrote, contend earnestly for the faith. . . . (v. 31)

Jude instructed the believers to contend because outsiders had come to the congregation with heretical doctrine. Without making their intent known or immediately apparent, men were gradually introducing doctrines that said it was okay to turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. . . . (v. 4)

The teaching must be resisted, but the people didn’t need to lose their peace while they stood for truth. Their peace rested upon their inner relationship with God—not upon circumstances—or even on the presence of ungodly men teaching ungodly doctrines. They could have peace amidst strife because they trusted God.

Originally published June 23, 1980.
Picture: Red River of the North, 2009. Photo by Cindy.

You Think You Have?

People can spend a lifetime studying Scripture without coming to God. The Pharisees did. Jesus said to them, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." (Jn. 5:39,40 NKJV)

Jesus, our example, studied the Scriptures, too. He received spiritual truth; He let His Father speak to Him and fill Him with life.

If the Pharisees had listened to God speak through the Scriptures, they would have heard the Father, recognized Jesus and listened to Him as well. They would have come to Jesus with humble hearts.

They didn’t want to come to Jesus and they continued to study with hard hearts. Jesus said, "You do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.” (v. 38)

Originally published January 19, 1990.
Picture: Red River of the North, 2009. Photo by Cindy.

God Incarnate

Jesus revealed that He believed He was God Incarnate when He said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, He will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (Jn. 6:51 NKJV)

The claims of the statement are fantastic and audacious. Jesus was saying He had come from heaven, even though it was well known that He had grown up and lived most of His adult life as a resident of Palestine. He was claiming to be the key to eternal life, a concept about which even the religious leaders of His time could not agree. And He was referring to a sacrifice that would save the entire world, a sacrifice no one could understand because He had not yet died on the cross.

Jesus' claims were absurd in the ears of all who heard Him. They were guaranteed to confuse the general population and antagonize the religious leaders or the powers-that-be.

Jesus risked everything for Truth.

Originally published January 15, 1993