Unstable footing v23n25

Unstable footing?

V23 n25

If a person is unsure or unsettled in that which they are seeing or observing, how confident or sure can they then be of where they are standing or stepping? The Bible is constantly proclaiming to us, that one should walk in His Spirit, yet, how many really know or perceive what this entails?

One’s feet should be shod in the preparation or readiness of this gospel of peace. That is, one should be firm or solid in this message of salvation; receiving it with joy in the heart; rendering oneself obedient to that which it asks of them, so that they will be enabled to have His answer when asked of the reason of the hope within them. Being open to hear and obey the Spirit of God, so that one is able to be led into all truth according to His Word, and not the traditions and doctrines of man.

How open are you to the truth of God’s Word? Most, will say that they are; yet, often times they are more influenced and moved by those people that are around them. I want to share with you some insights, shared by Adam Clarke, which he quoted from a Dr. Taylor, in how one should prepare themselves to hear and receive the Word of God.

I. "I do solemnly charge you, in the name of the God of truth, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and before whose judgment seat you must in no long time appear, that, in all your studies and inquiries of a religious nature, present or future, you do constantly, carefully, impartially, and conscientiously attend to evidence, as it lies in the Holy Scriptures, or in the nature of things and the dictates of reason, cautiously guarding against the sallies (rushing in) of imagination, and the fallacy of ill-grounded conjecture.

II. "That you admit, embrace, or assent to no principle or sentiment, by me taught or advanced, but only so far as it shall appear to you to be justified by proper evidence from revelation, or the reason of things.

III. "That if at anytime hereafter any principle or sentiment by me taught or advanced, or by you admitted or embraced, shall, upon impartial and faithful examination, appear to you to be dubious or false, you either suspect or totally reject such principle or sentiment.

IV. "That you keep your mind always open to evidence; that you labour to banish from your breast all prejudice, prepossession, and party zeal; that you study to live in peace and love with all your fellow Christians; and that you steadily assert for yourself, and freely allow to others, the unalienable rights of judgment and conscience." -- Taylor's Scheme of Scripture Divinity, preface, page 6. (from Adam Clarke commentary)

Gal 5: 16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit, and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures.17 For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other, so that you cannot do everything to which you are inclined. (Weymouth translation)

What one has to remember when reading and observing this epistle to the Galatians, is that they (for the most part, as there is always a remnant) at this time were not walking on stable or solid ground. Thus, why Paul questioned them at the start of this epistle, as to why or how they had been so soon removed from the grace of the Gospel of Christ, unto another gospel. How easy is it to follow that which other people are saying or doing?

Galatians 1:6, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: KJV

[I marvel that ye are so soon removed] It was a matter of wonder to the apostle that a people, so soundly converted to God, should have so soon made shipwreck of their faith. But mutability (inconsistent, fickle) itself has not a more apt subject to work upon than the human heart; the alternate workings of different passions are continually either changing the character, or giving it a different colouring. Reason, not passion, the word of God, not the sayings of men, should alone be consulted in the concerns of one salvation.(from Adam Clarke Commentary)

He called them into the grace of Christ; and they not only abandoned that grace, but their hearts became greatly estranged from him; so that, though at first they would have plucked out their eyes for him, they at last counted him their enemy, <Gal. 4:14-16>(from Adam Clarke Commentary)

It is the flesh that wars against the Spirit! The flesh and the Spirit are antagonistically opposed to one another. The flesh seeks and craves those things that will satisfy it’s lusts and passions. The spirit of man wants to hear and obey the counsel of God. The flesh is quick to respond to that which man will present, for with man one can readily see the example being portrayed. Yet, most are slow to respond to God, since many cannot see or hear Him. Those that are in the flesh, ( those seeking a worldly confirmation to a spiritual relationship) cannot please God.

Rom 8:8, And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God. (Weymouth translation)

[So then.] Because this carnal mind is enmity against God, they that are in the flesh-- who are under the power of the workings of this carnal mind (which every soul is that has not received redemption in the blood of the Lamb).

[Cannot please God.] Because of the rebellious workings of this principle of rebellion and hatred. And, if they cannot please God, they must be displeasing to him; and consequently in the broad road to final perdition. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

They had fallen from the grace of the Gospel; and, as Christ no longer dwelt in their hearts by faith, pride, anger, ill-will, and all unkind and uncharitable tempers, took possession of their souls, and they were in consequence alternately destroying each other. Nothing is so destructive to the peace of man, and to the peace of the soul, as religious disputes; where they prevail, religion in general has little place.

[Walk in the Spirit] Get back that Spirit of God which you have grieved and lost; take up that spiritual religion which you have abandoned.

[Ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.] If the Spirit of God dwell in and rule your heart, the whole carnal mind will be destroyed; and then, not only carnal ordinances will be abandoned, but also the works and propensities of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

[For the flesh lusteth against the spirit] God still continues to strive with you, notwithstanding your apostasy, showing you whence you have fallen, and exciting you to return to him; but your own obstinacy renders all ineffectual; and through the influence of these different principles, you are kept in a state of self-opposition and self-distraction, so that you cannot do the things that ye would. You are convinced of what is right, and ye wish to do it; but, having abandoned the Gospel and the grace of Christ, the law and its ordinances which ye have chosen in their place afford you no power to conquer your evil propensities. It was on this ground that the apostle exhorted them, <Gal. 5:16>, to walk in the Spirit, that they might not fulfil the lust of the flesh; as without the grace of God they could do nothing. Who can suppose that he speaks this of adult Christians?

[But, if ye be led of the Spirit] If ye receive again the Gospel and the grace of Christ, and permit yourselves to be influenced by the Holy Spirit whom you are now grieving, ye are not under the law-- ye will not feel those evil propensities which now disgrace and torment you; but they must prevail while you are not under the influence of the grace and Spirit of Christ. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

How sure are you of the foundation your salvation is based upon?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka