Blinded by the Light 8 Answers to Everything - The Truth

As Christians we seek to live our lives according to the word of God. When we search the scriptures we find that there are some topics on which the Bible is very clear and some on which we can make decisions based on Biblical principles. However, we also find that on some topics the Bible is either unclear or totally silent.

The same is true of direct spiritual guidance and answers to prayer. Sometimes we know with startling clarity, sometimes we are guessing, and sometimes there are no answers at all. And often, guidance and understanding are hardest to find when we need them most. These are difficult issues which we all have to face.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when perfection comes, the imperfect dsappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then shall I know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Cor.13:9,10,12)

The truth is that God is sovereign, and does not reveal all of his plan to us.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa.55:8-9)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 7 Magic Formulas - The Solution

If you have a piece of equipment which is old and doesn't work properly, you try to repair it. But if it is new and doesn't work properly, you send it back to the manufacturer. Jesus is “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb.12:2). If there is something wrong with your faith, send it back to him who gave it to you and let him put it right. The same verse says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”.

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able... (“ Tim.1:12)

There are many reasons why God may not appear to respond to us. Sometimes we are simply too impatient. Sometimes we are not open minded enough to see that the answer may not be in the form we expected. Sometimes God knows better than we do what we need. Perhaps what we need is patience or trust!

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. (Rom.9:14-16)

That wonderful lady, Corrie Ten Boom, expressed our need to trust God and his plans for us, in this poem:

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me

I do not choose the colours, He worketh steadily.

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why,

The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand,

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

If you really want a magic formula to improve your relationship with God, try this one:

Let the word of God dwell in you richly... (Col.3:16)

The scriptures will make plain to you what is to many people a mystery. They cannot see how anyone can have the power to be obedient to God's commands, to walk in his ways, and to be acceptable in his sight. The mystery is a secret no longer:

...God has chosen to make known... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col.1:27)

Because we have Christ in us, we no longer have to rely on our own strength. Paul told the Ephesians that God has:

“...made us alive with Christ...”

“...seated us with him in the heavenly realms...”

and prayed that they would be enlightened to understand “...his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Eph.2:5,6; 1:19)

And Peter wrote that

“His divine power has given everything we need for life and godliness...” (2 Pet.1:3)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 6 Magic Formulas - The Trap

1. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives... Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. (James 4:3,8)

It is true that sometimes prayers are not answered and blessings not received because there is something wrong in our lives, which needs to be put right. But this can get twisted into a continual searching for the key to unlock the door into the Father's presence. All sorts of strange things are unearthed to be repented of or broken in our lives in order to release the blessings we seek.

Satan will take advantage of this an remind you of things long dealt with, and try to convince you that they are still a problem. This can cause guilt and condemnation in lives where there should be none: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom.8:1)

There is also a danger which comes from such teaching as thre Word—Faith movement, which suggests that the power of our faith brings about the things we pray for. This means that if we do not receive what we pray for, then we do not have enough faith. This is devastating to those who pray earnestly and sincerely, and do not receive,. Hudson Taylor once said, “We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.”

2. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt.6:6)

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn't we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only bby prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29)

It is also true that sometimes in scripture specific instructions are given as to what should be done in a particular situation. But this too can get twisted, and the belief grows up that there is only one right way to do anything spiritual, and if this is not followed then it will not be effective.

God wants you to be honest in your relationship with him, sincere in your desires, and humbly willing to be used for his purposes. He has promised to “give you the desires of your heart” (Ps.37:4). And he has spoken out against ritual observances and empty words.

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1 Tim.1:6,7)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 5 Magic Formulas - The Truth

Having dealt with Legalism, we now turn to Magic Formulas. First, the truth:

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Rom.8:32)

One of the hardest things in Christian life is reconciling our desires with what God wants for our lives. He knows us, he knows what is best for us, and he has a part for us to play in his plan. We know what we want. We learn very quickly in our Christian life to pray and ask God for his blessings, but we also need to learn to wait on his time and accept his will.

There is no 'magic' way to move God. He is sovereign and cannot be coerced or persuaded. If our appeals to him directly appear to receive no response, there is no other way. The only exception to this is when there is something wrong in our lives which has affected our standing before God, and this needs to be put right. This is no magic formula, just a re-establishing of our relationship on the right footing.

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 4 Legalism - The Solution

We have already quoted James' comment about the word of God being a mirror (James 1:23-25). We need to go back continuously to looking in that mirror. We need to remind ourselves who we are and where we stand in Christ, so that we will not forget. Paul urged the Galatians:

It is for freedom then that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal.5:1)

Paul qualified, if anyone did, for worthiness by the works he did. He described himself as "a Hebrew of Hebrews" and "as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." (Philip.3:3,5) And yet, once he discovered grace, he realised that it was all worthless.

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. (Philip.3:8-9)

James talked about faith and deeds, but put them in the right perspective:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? (James 2:14)

The kind of faith which saves, is the kind that produces the deeds. In other words, the things you do are the result of your faith, not the cause of it. We should remember that "God looks on the heart" (1 Sam.16:7). He does not need us to prove anything to him.

If we are bound up in "doing the right things", it is not the things we do that need to change, but our attitude. We need to understand with out hearts and not just our heads. For example:

• We have "every spiritual blessing in Christ"
• We are "holy and blameless in his sight"
• We are "adopted as his sons"
• We have "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us"
• The Holy Spirit is "a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

(Eph.1:3-14)
There is an old saying: "There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, and there is nothing you can do that will make God love you any less." Try reading, Ephesians, Galatians, and Romans chapters 6, 7 & 8. Then act on that!

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 3 Legalism - The Trap

Legalism is the disease that paralyses Christians who fall short of living in the reality of the new life.

The theory is wonderful, but the practicalities of daily living can be something else. You want to be the best you can be for God. You want to make a difference where you live, where you work, where you are. You really want to know the presence of the kingdom coming out of your life that makes a difference to the people around you. You want to move into the fullness of what God has called you to.

But so often you feel powerless, impotent, ineffective, weak. Faced with the cycle of failure and uphill struggling, you apply the wrong medicine very, very often: I'll try harder. I'll pray more. I'll go to prayer group. I'll get involved. I'll understand the Bible. I'll get more serious about me and God. I'll do more things.

"What happened to all you joy?" (Gal.4:15). This scripture applies to you when legalism is getting a grip on your life. Your joy disappears. Anyone who adds anything to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ actually takes away from it, and when we try to add our own efforts we end up losing what we had. Eternal life is a gift, and it is an insult to the giver to attempt to pay for it.

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Gal.5:4)

Falling from grace is returning to a system of religious observance to keep God happy. It comes into all our lives. It is subtle, and it catches you unawares.

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you know so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?... Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,... so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal.3:2, 3, 5, 13, 14).

It was not just the Galatians who fell into this trap. There is probably not a Christian on earth who has not at some time found themselves "now trying to attain your goal by human effort."

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth
Further posts to come in this series:
Legalism: The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 2 Legalism - The Trap

Legalism is the disease that paralyses Christians who fall short of living in the reality of the new life.

The theory is wonderful, but the practicalities of daily living can be something else. You want to be the best you can be for God. You want to make a difference where you live, where you work, where you are. You really want to know that presence of the kingdom coming out of your life that makes a difference to the people around you. You want to move into the fullness of what God has called you to.

But so often you feel powerless, impotent, ineffective, weak. Faced with the cycle of failure and uphill struggling, you apply the wrong medicine very, very often: I'll try harder. I'll pray more. I'll go to prayer group. I'll get involved. I'll understand the Bible. I'll get serious about me and God. I'll do more things.

"What has happened to all your joy?" (Gal.4:15). This scripture applies to you when legalism is getting a grip in your life. Your joy disappears. Anyone who adds anything to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ actually takes away from it, and when we try to add our own efforts we end up losing what we had. Eternal life is a gift, and it is an insult to the giver to attempt to pay for it.

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Gal.5:4)

Falling from grace is returning to a system of religious observance to keep God happy. It comes into all our lives. It is subtle, and it catches you unawares.

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you now so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?... Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,... so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal.3:2, 3, 5, 13, 14).

It was not just the Galatians who fell into this trap. There is probably not a Christian on earth who has not at some time found themselves "now trying to attain your goal by human effort."