From one perspective Psalm 119 is one of the most self serving prayers in the Bible. Look at how verses 33 through 40 begin, “Teach me… Give me understanding,… Lead me… Incline my heart… Turn my eyes… Turn away my reproach…” It concludes with the words, “revive me.”
From another perspective the Psalm is all about serving and loving God. The Psalmist does not focus on himself because he is self centered, but because he wants to please and glorify God. Therefore, the verses conclude with the use of the word “Your”, ” Your statutes… Your law… Your Commandments… Your testimonies… Your ways… Your servant… Reverence for You… Your ordinances… Your righteousness.”
When the Word of God is seen as more important than our necessary food (Job 23:12) then we see His Word in proper perspective. However, what makes the Bible relevant is God’s arrangement of circumstances and people in our lives, so that, we can respond to them in a Christ-like way.
We do not learn the Bible so that we can become intelligent; we learn the Bible so that we can know God and become more like Him.
Time and again rejection has been my experience, being viewed as sub standard by men in ministry, because I did not attend the right schools. We should never object when men want to teach the truth and only approve of those who do. However, learning has been elevated to the status of an idol, and men now believe learning will be the salvation of the world. There is nothing Biblical about such an idea because the Apostle Paul clearly taught, “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
According to God knowledge alone creates arrogance in the learner; it inflates pride and pride makes a man blind. “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man…” (Romans 1:22, 23)
The president of the second school that I attended had been a missionary with the Sudan Interior Mission for many years. After his father died he came back home, reluctantly, but with filial love to lead the school. His Father got saved late in life, and began a school for all those who felt called into ministry, shall we say beyond the college years.
There was a time in this country when Bible Institutes were regarded highly and many graduates went out to the mission fields of the world. However, during the last twenty to thirty years, education being elevated as it has, the Bible Institute has just about become extinct. The fact that Jesus chose twelve ordinary men, fishermen, a mafia gang boss, a terrorist, and men of little importance has little impact on today’s Christian society.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
No one can properly mirror Jesus Christ who is filled with himself through pride in his own knowledge.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit”, who lives as a pauper before God.
Remember to check out my book, THE JESUS YOU NEED TO KNOW
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