One morning, a few years ago, I had walked up on a hillside to pray.  There were very large sagebrush all around and I felt the Spirit lead me to stand between two which were taller than I.  As I looked out over the bench to the river below, I was able to see only what was directly in front of me - the sagebrush blocked all vision to either side - and I heard the Spirit say, "These sagebrush represent the doctrines and teachings and revelations given to men.  They are good; they will shelter and protect you.  But sometimes you need to step out, away from them a little, so you can see what is up-river."

At first glance, this statement may look questionable, even opening the door to heresy and deception; I was a little taken aback, myself.  It would seem presumptuous to think that there are truths beyond what are already established within the knowledge of the church.  And yet I long to know my God more each day, so I began to search this out for answers.

First, truth is foundationally important to God, as it should be to us as His children and ambassadors.  Proverbs 23:23 admonishes us, "Buy the truth and sell it not; not only that, but also get discernment and judgment, instruction and understanding."  Truth is the belt that girds and strengthens us. (Eph.6:14)

When speaking to His disciples, Jesus called Himself the Truth (John 14:6) and said that the truth will set us free (John 8:32).  "For while the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)  The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), was sent to lead us into all truth (John 14:17). We are called to worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and to serve in sincerity and truth (Joshua 24:14).

Therefore, our cry should be the same as David in Psalm 51:  "Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart."

Second, only the sovereign and almighty Jehovah knows and holds all truth.  "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unfathomable are His judgments!  And how untraceable (mysterious) are His ways!" (Rom. 11:33)  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Is. 55:8-9) 

And yet His plan and desire is to reveal these mysteries, these truths, this wisdom, to His children.  "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing." (Prov. 25:2)

Our Father and God is longing and looking for a people who know and trust Him without measure.  He is looking for a people who have walked through the fire, who have walked through the flood, who have been tested and tried, and yet have held onto their God to the end; He is looking for a trustworthy Bride to whom He can reveal hidden secrets.

Does this give us the liberty to step away from the written Word of God to seek new understanding?  No.  Not at all.  But I believe that even with all the knowledge and understanding we currently have of the Word of God, personally and corporately, that there are still depths of revelation into which we have not entered.

Jesus walked in such a place.  He often spoke and did things which appeared to contradict the Word, and yet fulfilled it.  In like manner, the Spirit may lead us to places that stretch our thinking, but He will only lead us into truth - truth which will always be confirmed by the Spirit and the Word.

Do we want to fulfill the purpose and calling of the church, to make known the complicated and many-sided wisdom of God? (Eph. 3:10)  Do we long for our God to be known and understood for who He truly is?  Is it the beat of our heart for Him to receive the honor and glory which is unequivocally His?  Are we willing to step out from our comfortable understanding and let the Spirit lead us into deeper depths of our God?

Jesus wants to entrust us with the mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:11).  He is looking for a willing, humble, trustworthy, teachable, diligent people who will follow wherever He leads, for His glory. We live in a day when His wish should be our unquestionable aim - whatever the cost.

 

Amy