AN OPEN BOOK

AN OPEN BOOK

Sunday, October 26, 2014

 

Luke 11:-139 And I [Jesus] say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

2Timothy 3:16-17 [Paul wrote] 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 perfect, thoroughly [completely] furnished unto all good works.

 

  Have you ever had a coworker or family member that have useful knowledge on how to get things done and/or solve problems, but keep as secret? The “General” was one of a number that I’ve known. A fellow senior lead machinist that when solved a product or equipment problem, would tell no one unless intimidated by management . . . and then only very reluctantly or in couched terms.

  Why so? Due to their serious requirement to feel needed and respected and like the feeling of power over people. (Positions at cross purpose if ever was!)

  The statement of “God is love.” (1Jn.4:8, 16) is neither stony, serpentine, or stinging scorpion. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give knowledge freely to those who are receptive. God wants us to know and thereby be thoroughly equipped!

  This truth itself no secret:

 

Matthew 13:9-16 … the disciples came, and said unto him [Jesus], Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. …

 

  Consider the Apostle Paul’s words to the congregation at Corinth, applicable then = applicable now.

 

1Corinthians [CEV] 2:12-16 But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us. Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit, not by human wisdom. And this same Spirit helps us teach spiritual things to spiritual people. That's why only someone who has God's Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish. People who are guided by the Spirit can make all kinds of judgments, but they cannot be judged by others. The Scriptures ask, "Has anyone ever known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?" But we understand what Christ is thinking.

 

  There is however a problem in gaining the knowledge He has for us, and it is not about Him. As God graciously proffers spiritual nourishment that both frees and empowers, are our hands in our pockets? 

 

James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

EBB4