"God cannot reveal anything to us if we have not His Spirit. An obstinate outlook will effectually hinder God from revealing anything to us. If we have made up our minds about a doctrine, the light of God will come no more to us on that line, we cannot get it. This obtuse stage will end immediately [when] His resurrection life has its way with us."
The reading today warns me not to speak so authoritatively if I am not filled with the Spirit of the Risen Christ. The preface to many statements that begin with I believe, or I think, or even I have had this revelation from God, can have its emphasis on the "I" part and not on what is truly from God. Caution is needed on my part.
These statements above are not only a warning to me, but they are a challenge to me. I want to be able to understand what God is speaking to me through any Scripture that I might read. I realize that there is something there that is for me personally, if I can ascertain what it is. God can make plain to me what is for me.
First of all, I need to want to know. Secondly, I need to be diligent in prayer and study, but thirdly, and most important, I need to be so controlled by the risen Christ that the Word is made plain to me. Abiding in Christ and waiting for His Word is key.
How many times do I say that I need to know something, catch a phrase in the Bible reading, assume that is the answer and proceed? How many times do I speak from this supposed insight and discover later that I have not been a wise counselor?
I suppose the old saying holds true here: "Keep silent and let people think you are a fool, or speak up and confirm it".
God help me to be filled with the risen Christ so that your Word will be plain to me. Amen
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