Anonymity, Isolation, and the Living Word

Often the question comes up about how God can require that only through Jesus a man can be saved. Let the Spirit of God give us wisdom and enlighten our hearts with the living voice at this time. In the fervency of the newly converted, as a bible thumping born again young adult, I announced to one and all that they would burn in hell if they rejected Jesus as their Savior. This is probably not the path of wisdom God intended, but the words I spoke were true as I knew them. What I didn't know at that time was the living voice, the guidance of God's anointing. What is this voice? How do you find it? How can you be sure you are receiving the real guidance of God?

Having these questions is a healthy exercise of you free will and your intelligence. God made us in His image, with the ability to choose, and to critically examine that which we choose. Did He not intend us to use such in the matters of faith? That is His obvious intention, yet there is in many a mental wall, they are unwilling to examine spiritual life critically. Whether from fear or from false 'faith', they suppress cognition and inhibit honest examination of their own questions, and the questions of others. This fear is unfounded, God suplies the comfort, provides us with consolation in the midst of our doubt, we just need ask. As to false 'faith' or blind belief, this is not the mustard seed, not the substance which God deposits in our hearts and minds to grow and empower us.

A major trap inhibiting the spiritual growth of many is the blanket acceptance, blind belief of cultural dogma and ritual associated with Christianity. Once a believer, with the reassurance of eternal life, we tend to quickly judge things good or bad simply by their proximity to our religious community. This is no different than a cult or fad. Popular acceptance of a particular teaching or practice is not validation of its source. In this I am not questioning the worth of modern practices or teachings, I am highlighting the individuals need to examine closely the things which they have experiential faith in, and count less important those things of which they accepted 'just because'. However, the most extreme example is the Bible itself, and we should think for a moment about the heart of God in this matter.

Is the Bible the Word of God? No, clearly the Word of God is the voice that we hear, the confirmation of what we read, the anointing we sense in others as they teach us, that is the true Word of God. The Bible physically is a tool, a collection of writings, a path that can lead to the wonder of the Kingdom. But as itself, it is a collection of society, the language is not original (even modern Greek is far from the original), the format is a product of technology (printing vs oration), and the content is even restricted to a select set of works. Is God limited to simply what is contained in these passages? Were there many writings and letters from the time of Christ that did not become part of the book? We can perceive in these questions that our God is not restricted to time and place, yet the works that comprise the Bible are clearly those with which man can find His heart. God can, and I believe did, lead the scholars who choose the texts for the scriptures. He is able to guide translators to find the form of language accessable to our society. Yet we need to have more than words on a page.

One question I wrestled with as a early believer was whether God 'sent to hell' those who never heard the gospel. Yes, it's a naive thought, but what did happen to them? What about all the people who never heard of Christ? He went into the depths for those who had perished, but what of those who lived outside the geopolitical scope at the time? These questions are hard for many Christians to answer. Let us consider a simple situation to perhaps gain some wisdom to God's heart. What if you were shipwrecked on a deserted Island as a young child. There was plenty of food, and you were able to survive to a ripe old age, then perished without ever coming into contact with another human. Could you have been saved? In what way would God appear to you? Would He not communicate with you in a way you could understand? Could you make the choice to love God? Let us suppose that a Bible washed ashore when you were old and close to the end. You can not read, and used the pages for wrapping nuts. Is this against the will of God? Of course not, our God is a loving God, and desires to have each and every one come to know Him, irregardless of how isolated we are from His flow and work in the larger societal context.

Now, those who do find His voice, and hear it strongly in the scriptures, have a wonderful tool to progress in getting closer to Him. Which leads to another point, anonymity. In the Scriptures, there are many people. Some we know about, some we don't. God uses the whole life of some as a picture of His will, while others are simply known by name and the words recorded of them. We know nothing of their actual life, yet we can hear God's will and intention in what they spoke of. Some people in the scriptures are of a sinful, bleak background, yet called out to God, and were used by Him. Others followed the most pious of paths, and were brought low to test that faith. And again, for some, we have the record of their words only. My illustration in this is to listen with ears that can hear, listen to the Spirit's prompting in the messages you receive. Do not rely upon the recommendations of man. The true Word of God in your life can come from the most trusted adviser to the most anonymous of acquaintances. Ask for the faith to hear that voice, and to grow strong in discerning it from the cacaphany of the lifeless.

The cultural Christian world is full of confusing dogma, Victorian era mythology, and downright repressive spiritual teachings. But you have the source of Life! Jesus has the power in response to your faith to overcome these influences. There is a higher calling, a walk of power and connection that we are being led to. Ask for the faith to be implanted in you, a measure of faith that will become unwavering and permanent. Lord grant each reader the Grace to receive more faith, open our hearts to believe in your strength. Open our ears to hear the Word. Thank you for your unmeasurable kindness and love. The words of man are dim compared to the unwavering briliance of Your Voice, thank You.