The Passion of Jesus Christ |
Sin & Repentance |
"Draw Not Nigh Hither: Put Off Thy Shoes..." - Exodus 3:5
Moses didn't hasten into the presence of a holy God. Nor should we impatiently hurry into the study of Theology. Fruitless conversations about Theology persist nowadays without any fear! Mainly, because those who are doing the talking don't know the first thing about a real relationship with God.
➡️ If He is to be known, He must first know you. - 1 Cor. 8:3, 1 John 2:4
➡️ If He is to be loved, He must first love you. - 1 John 4:19
➡️ If He is to be approached, He must draw & compel you. - John 6:44
➡️ If He is to be heard, He must open your ears to hear. - John 12:37-41
➡️ If He is to be loved, He must first love you. - 1 John 4:19
➡️ If He is to be approached, He must draw & compel you. - John 6:44
➡️ If He is to be heard, He must open your ears to hear. - John 12:37-41
When considering such a topic like Theology, which is "the study of God", one must consider GOD HIMSELF. If you tarry a little while before the light of Scripture, you will come to find out a lot you didn't know about YOURSELF.
It turns out that God CANNOT be learned like an academic subject of school. God CANNOT be learned like a chemist learned chemistry, like an engineer learned mathematics, or like a classroom of students become educated. The carnal faculties of human intelligence don't ever give one man an advantage above another in this endeavor. Everything else you have ever learned in your lifetime cannot be compared to learning God.
Theology is a holy enterprise. One must be sanctified by the Spirit of God to engage in its benefits. If God said to Moses, "Draw not nigh hither", as a caution, and again, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet", as a command and a condition, it stands to reason that there is something similar the LORD would say to modern Christians. Seeing that we serve the same God (we profess), what is the New Testament rendition of such words given to Moses whereby we might be enabled to come near to God?
It turns out that God CANNOT be learned like an academic subject of school. God CANNOT be learned like a chemist learned chemistry, like an engineer learned mathematics, or like a classroom of students become educated. The carnal faculties of human intelligence don't ever give one man an advantage above another in this endeavor. Everything else you have ever learned in your lifetime cannot be compared to learning God.
Theology is a holy enterprise. One must be sanctified by the Spirit of God to engage in its benefits. If God said to Moses, "Draw not nigh hither", as a caution, and again, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet", as a command and a condition, it stands to reason that there is something similar the LORD would say to modern Christians. Seeing that we serve the same God (we profess), what is the New Testament rendition of such words given to Moses whereby we might be enabled to come near to God?
"Draw not nigh hither"
If God doesn't call you then you can't approach Him. - 1 Cor. 1:26-31, Ps. 24:3-6, 15:1-5, 65:4
Without a New Birth you cannot see the Kingdom or know "the Truth" about Theology. - John 14:6
Without a New Birth you cannot see the Kingdom or know "the Truth" about Theology. - John 14:6
Not just anyone can come into the presence of God at any time (Ps. 24:3). You can't just decide to do it whenever you want by your own merit (Jn. 6:44). Even so, when approaching the Study of God - namely Theology - one must behave as though he is approaching God Himself. God does speak, but not everyone hears Him (Jer. 6:10). God does teach and expound doctrines, but not all are able to understand them (Isaiah 28:9). Theology can only be "taught" by God even though human instrumentality is used (Eph. 4:20-24). Therefore, when at last anyone has "learned Christ" or has "heard Him", it is one and the same thing as being "taught by Him" (Eph. 4:20).
"Put Off Thy Shoes"
"put off the old man with his deeds" - Col. 3:9
"put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" - Eph. 4:22
"put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" - Col. 3:8
"cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" - Rom. 13:12
"put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" - Eph. 4:22
"put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" - Col. 3:8
"cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" - Rom. 13:12
The grounds by which all fruitful theological discussions are conducted must be holy. Things must be put off. Things must be put on. Why? God is holy. Learning about and personally knowing God must be an exercise of holiness. Studying and learning must be done by spiritually hearing, and no one can hear without the Holy Spirit of God.
➡️ God is unapproachable in holiness. He cannot be known by those who are unholy, unsanctified, and unprepared (1 John 2:4, John 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:3).
➡️ God is a God that hides Himself. Therefore, whatsoever is known of Him must be divinely revealed (Isaiah 45:15, John 7:16-17, 8:37, 43, 47, 1 Cor. 2:10-14).
➡️ When the LORD is revealed to the soul, it is through a drawing process which holds divinely consistent patterns (Prov. 2:1-6, Ps. 138:6, 34:18, Isaiah 57:15, 66:2).
➡️ One must beware of a self-imaginary knowledge which is called "worldly wisdom", usurping the rightful place of God's wisdom in the soul (1 Cor. 2:4-5, Isa. 30:10-12, Jer. 17:9).
➡️ Those who have worldly wisdom instead of God's wisdom, fellowship with the world's god instead of the one true God (2 Cor. 4:4). Instead of heaven's wisdom which is in fellowship with "the Heavenly Gift" (Heb. 6:4), they commune with "earthly wisdom" which is "devilish" (James 3:15).
➡️ Those who have God's wisdom do suffer God's reproach, in the same proportion to how much each generation does despise the Word of God contained in the Bible. If anyone despises the Word of God, they are despising God Himself (1 Cor. 3:17, Luke 10:21, Matt. 12:27).
➡️ God is a God that hides Himself. Therefore, whatsoever is known of Him must be divinely revealed (Isaiah 45:15, John 7:16-17, 8:37, 43, 47, 1 Cor. 2:10-14).
➡️ When the LORD is revealed to the soul, it is through a drawing process which holds divinely consistent patterns (Prov. 2:1-6, Ps. 138:6, 34:18, Isaiah 57:15, 66:2).
➡️ One must beware of a self-imaginary knowledge which is called "worldly wisdom", usurping the rightful place of God's wisdom in the soul (1 Cor. 2:4-5, Isa. 30:10-12, Jer. 17:9).
➡️ Those who have worldly wisdom instead of God's wisdom, fellowship with the world's god instead of the one true God (2 Cor. 4:4). Instead of heaven's wisdom which is in fellowship with "the Heavenly Gift" (Heb. 6:4), they commune with "earthly wisdom" which is "devilish" (James 3:15).
➡️ Those who have God's wisdom do suffer God's reproach, in the same proportion to how much each generation does despise the Word of God contained in the Bible. If anyone despises the Word of God, they are despising God Himself (1 Cor. 3:17, Luke 10:21, Matt. 12:27).