"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you..... However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." --- Jesus speaking in John 14:26; 16:13-15
April 1, 2008 -- On this day -- a day which ranges all the way from a simple April Fool's joke to very complex and elaborate hoaxes, it is appropriate to consider our privilege to learn from One Who holds the undisputed title of "World's Greatest Theologian" and that's no joke!
In a post a few days ago I posed the question as to whether any who had stopped by had met Theo, my Administrative Assistant, at my web site, Circuit Rider's Range. He has a special area at that location identified as
It is there that the subject of something called "theology" is pursued a bit. Pastors can even become obsessed with it and seem at times to come close to deifying certain idividuals who have come to be known as "theologians."
But of all those persons who over centuries of time have been known as theologians along with the many books they have produced, there is but One Who stands in a class all by Himself and the Book which He has produced -- His name? Holy Spirit! His book? the Bible!
What too often happens is this -- we (pastors and laity) can easily get so enraptured with theologians and authors of the day to an extent that we spend more time with them than we do with the World's Greatest Theologian and His Book!
Look at it this way -- suppose you were traveling a long distance on an airline flight and you were given the choice with someone else paying the tab -- the choice is to go 1st class or coach (2nd class) -- which would you take? I haven't flown in a while, but as I remember -- 1st class had amenities you didn't have in the coach section plus wider and much more comfortable seating! I do remember a flight I was on in which a young fellow in the military along with his wife and infant child were in the coach section. The child was very fussy and they were trying to get it quieted down -- after a while the pilot came back and asked them if they wanted to move into the 1st class section and finish the trip seated there. They didn't hesitate and soon were able to get the child settled down.
A 1st class experience is making oneself available to the Holy Spirit and taking a generous amount of time to do this -- and then take His Book and see Jesus make good on His promise that the Holy Spirit would teach us -- guide us into the truth -- and show us things to come! What more can one ask than that -- to be personally instructed by the Author of the Book which He brought into existence over centuries of time?
A 2nd class experience is giving time to all those others -- I realize the risk of being accused of being radical and prejudiced on this issue. But stop and think through what Jesus promised -- it really does amount to a choice of going 1st class in an experience with the Holy Spirit and His Book or 2nd class with the others and their books. It comes down to how much time we are willing to give to whom (or Whom) and their writings each day!
We can learn a very profitable lesson from the people of a place called Berea in the 1st Century. Paul and Silas eventually made their way into that community. They shared the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures note that these people were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica where Paul and Silas had been. It is stated that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things Paul and Silas had spoken were really so. (Acts 17:11).
Seems these days we are more concerned about what some Tom, Dick and Jane have to say about the Bible than what the Bible has to say about us, them, the entire human race and what God's expectations and plans are!
Yes, I have quite a collection of books, including those written by persons considered to be "theologians" and have read in them, but I much prefer giving more time and attention to the World's Greatest Theologian and His Book -- the only time I can say as I hold His Book in my hands -- at last, here is Something I can believe and not have to struggle and ask, "Does this guy or gal know what he or she is talking about or not? Is it true or will it lead me down the path to disaster?"
So, if you dare -- how does your time spent in reading "stuff" compare to taking the Bible in hand and then with openness of heart and mind, alloting a significant amount of time in allowing the World's Greatest Theologian to teach you things that are vitally important for time and eternity?
And you will find that's no joke -- on April Fool's Day or any other throughout the year!
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
