(a repeat from 2014)
"No Experts"
If spiritual maturity could be measured, and if we could find the godliest believer on the planet, he or she would be no less in need of growth in God's grace and truth than would the least mature Christian.
"But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).
The Apostle Peter directed his command to all (and would have included himself if asked). Because we trust an infinite Lord possessed of character and nature qualities that have no measure, we will always be discovering new aspects of His glory. Thus, we always require growth in His grace and knowledge. We become more like Him as we know Him better, and we ever need to know Him better. "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more" (I Thessalonians 4:1).
In a world of experts on every subject, there are none in the body of Christ. "If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (I Corinthians 8:2). Certainly some have progressed more than others, and may be able to exemplify and communicate God's truth in a way that greatly benefits fellow Christians. However, no believer ever reaches exalted status. No experts exist in Christendom regarding faith, or obedience, or prayer, or prophecy, or evangelism, or God inexorable ways, or any other subject. Of every believer, Scripture declares he knows "nothing yet as he ought to know." All stand in need of growth.
In our generation, modern marketing tactics assign, whether directly or tacitly, expert status to Christian communicators no less than to the world's virtuosos. This is dangerous because it can lead to overmuch confidence in those who may possess eloquent voices and skillful pens, but who nevertheless walk on feet of clay. Such ones may be faithful brethren and of much help to us. Their frailty as human beings must nevertheless not be overlooked. Only One warrants our unreserved and unequivocal faith. "His name alone is excellent" (Psalm 148:13). Failure to recognize such truth places us in great spiritual jeopardy. We therefore recognize our native tendency to exalt things and people other than God, and the Bible's clear teaching that all stand in need of growth. There are no experts.
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:13-14)
Weekly Memory Verse
I will remember the works of the Lord. Surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.
(Psalm 77:11)
5798
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