"An Uncertain Sound"

    While infinite and beyond our full comprehension, God's truth is never irrational.  Moreover, we must never suggest by our words or imply by our actions that it is.

 

    "As God is true, our word toward you was not yay and nay.  For the Son of God which was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yay and nay" (II Corinthians 1:18-19).

    We must devote ourselves to take much care that our trumpet, as it were, does not give forth an "uncertain sound" of contradiction (I Corinthians 14:8).  Particularly regarding the nature, character, and way of the Christ in whom we trust, the "Who He is" and the "How He works" must coincide with one another.  For example, I once heard a radio minister suggest to his listeners, "We depend on you in order to stay on the air."  I instantly hit the off button of my radio upon hearing this, but I can only surmise that he referred to monetary donations of his audience as the source of continued ministry.  Of course, I could be wrong.  Perhaps he referred to the prayers of those who listen.  Either way, the minister I reference presented an irrational and damaging to his listeners proposal.  Indeed, consider the contradiction: as a Christian communicator, the preacher proclaims that God is able to save the eternal souls of all who depend on the Lord Jesus Christ for their redemption.   However, the preacher also communicates the false notion that he cannot depend upon his Heavenly Father for supplying the means and enabling for ministry.  This is at best irrational.  At worst, it is unbiblical.  "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).  In either case, the trumpet of the preacher sounded forth in contradiction and uncertainty.

   I do not mean to suggest by this example that God does not often administer His provision through the resources and prayers of His trusting children in Christ.  Certainly He does.  "Let him that is taught in the Word communicate (share) unto him that teacheth in all good things… Pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified" (Galatians 6:6; II Thessalonians 3:1).  I do mean to propose that of all believers, the minister of God's Word must never look to anyone other than God as the source of Life in Christ, and also the means to declare the Truth about such grace.  By Biblical definition, we proclaim dependence on Christ and Christ alone.  "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him" (Psalm 62:5).  Whatever the minister meant, he sent forth a discordant note across the airwaves that suggests irrationality and contradiction in the Gospel.  Again, consider the conflicting claims: "God can meet your eternal needs.  Trust Him.  He cannot meet my temporal needs.  I trust you."  The damage done by such foolishness, even if unintentional, is incalculable in the hearts and minds of those who hear the "uncertain sound."

    Irrationality can infect us in many other ways.  We must therefore inoculate ourselves by filling our hearts and minds with the Truth of God, whereupon "precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line" (Isaiah 28:10)  Proper consideration and study will not yield contradiction in our Lord's truths, nor in our application of them.  A sane, reasoned, and rational understanding of Scripture will rather result, leading to a peace of both heart and mind blessedly experienced internally, and coherent message expressed outwardly.

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

(I Peter 3:15)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

(Isaiah 2:5)