Proverbs 16:1 “The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.“
God’s purposes & ways are infinitely above ours, and aren’t subject to our perception or opinion.
Possibly the greatest occasion of such a seemingly man driven, seemingly devastating action, was the apprehension & crucifixion of Christ; Many Jews thought that by killing Christ, they were “getting rid of the problem”, but unbeknown to them, they were fulfilling the plan of God.
Refer John 11:47-51
“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;“
Although we can look back on the event with understanding of the beauty and perfection of Gods work, had we been there at the time, we may well have been as perplexed and saddened as many Christians were.
God works in the smallest detail, and to infinite realms for His glory, and the work of God continues regardless of our perception. “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 2 Corinthians 13:8
The more we let go of the natural man’s rationale, and replace it with faith and trust in God, resting in His promises; the more we grow in peace and the fruits of righteousness, for His glory and our joy.
We can hold to doctrines we’ve been taught, or have formed, based on perspective which we believe to be The Truth, but that may well be a stumbling block to our own growth and others also.
A foundation principal for discerning what is truth, is:
The Truth will always decrease man and increase God!
To elaborate on this principle which is founded on John 3:30, John the baptist said “He must increase, but I must decrease.“, and in 1 Corinthians 15:28, Paul wrote:
“And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.“.
Because an indicator of doctrinal error is the enlargement of man, Scriptural instruction has answers to deal with the error; eg.. Matthew 12:29 states that The strong man’s goods can not be taken from him until he is bound. This allegory, recognises that man’s strength is a picture of pride; Proverbs 20:29 “The glory of young men is their strength:” and the things that the man of pride holds as precious can’t be taken away from him until pride is bound. If there’s going to be any binding of pride to negate it, it’s going to have to be by The Word of God, because The Word divides between soul and spirit Hebrews 4:12, otherwise it’ll only be the flesh disputing with the flesh, which will be evident in raised voice, aggressive statements, aggressive response, demeaning comments, and/or delivery of The Word in pride; As opposed to delivering the Truth in love, which is patient & kind, it doesn’t boast, it’s not proud. It doesn’t dishonor others, isn’t self-seeking, isn’t easily angered, it rejoices with the truth….love always perseveres; 1 Corinthians 13.
“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” 1 Corinthians 11:16
The rich experience of learning & sharing The Truth in humility with fellow Christians, is a blessing from God; The Word says…
“they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:
and the LORD hearkened, and heard it,
and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”
Malachi 3:16
Satan and the carnal man would like to rob the people of God of the sweetness of fellowship & its’ subsequent growth, by bringing in division based on differing perspectives of scripture, but Gods desire is to see and hear Saints meditating on His Word, and enjoying fellowship in love, for mutual growth & His glory. He said that those who do such, will be “like trees planted by waters, bearing fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1
When 2 or more are having fellowship in His name, there’s a sweetness that’s eternal in characteristic, that’s because God’s there too “For where two or three gather in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20
Isaiah 57:15 For so says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
By God’s grace, may our hearts be humble and contrite, that we abandon each days thoughts that are not of God, may our ears and eyes be open to the Truth, and our mouths open in love to speak the truth, that we may please The Father through the strength of Christ, that we may decrease and that He may increase in our understanding, expression and praise to Him
in Jesus name.
Song of Songs 4:16
Awake, O north wind; and come, you south;
blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out.
Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat its pleasant fruits.
Study like a Berean! 