In the introduction of yesterdays post I exposed one of the many problems that hinders our reception and vision that brings understanding and that is dullness. To this one I could add no Understanding, Ignorance and Grossness but instead I choose to only look at Dullness. And it is this that I will look at today. But first I will turn to Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. Then with the use of the ESV translation and the LORDS help I will do as directed.
"Godly Sincerity Concerning God's Word"
"For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." (2Corinthians 2:17)
"Godly sincerity concerning GOD's word is another characteristic that the LORD desires to mark us with His Grace. Grace and Truth are an integral part of the LORDS Character and Nature, just as it was Adams in Genesis 2. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD; but as of sincerity . . . we speak." The manner in which we relate to the word of GOD is a high priority to our Lord Who is indeed LORD of All and in all who belong to Him. In the early Church, some were already relating wrongly to GOD's word. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD." They were using the word of God for self-gain. This is the standard of many leaders in the worlds church, for some it is unwittingly so. I say unwittingly because I am giving them benefit of a doubt on their behalf.
The scriptures warn us about the temptation that people would face concerning inappropriate uses of the word." There are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1:10-11). Titus was warned of many in the church world who were rebelling against the message of GOD's word. They were into the meaningless chatter and religious deception that came from the legalists, who loved to lay the Law of Moses on people. It was necessary that these men be silenced with the Truth, because they were undermining the spiritual well-being of entire families. They were teaching things that were biblically unacceptable. Their motivation was the financial advantage they could acquire by peddling untruths. So many today are tempted to go after the material gain that often comes from those who will easily buy into religious schemes. These are those who are blind guides leading the blind or put another way have dullness of thought and lack vision.
Paul also warned about others who would be motivated by the power and influence that a cleverly distorted message might produce. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29-30). True disciples follow the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, a true disciple wants to assist others in their quest to follow the LORD Jesus. These deceivers want others to follow them. This threat would be two-fold. Ruthless unbelievers would "come in" from outside the church. Also, "from among yourselves," men with an adulterated message would arise inside the church. Over the years of my carrying the Lords yoke, I have seen this very thing with deep concern of heart within me.
Godly sincerity is to characterize our treatment of the scriptures. We are to proclaim the Truth. "But as of sincerity, but from GOD, we speak in the sight of GOD in Christ." We are to proclaim the message that is from GOD (the Bible), and do it in genuineness, knowing our GOD is watching."
Dullness which is Condemned:
Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 44:19, Ezekiel 12:2 "How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but You, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered."
Isaiah 44:18-20 "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Ezekiel 2:1-6 "He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. And He said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD GOD.' And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house."
Luke 12:54-56 (Jesus) "He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
John 8:39-47 "They (the Religious Jewish elite) answered Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works (believe as) Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father (the lier Satan) did." They said to Him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but HE sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews (this includes the Hebrews as one group) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews (Hebrews) and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear (respect or reverence) of GOD before their eyes."
Hebrews 5:11-14 "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
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