Vol. 17, No. 4, July - Aug. 1988
BIG WORDS (1)
Poul Madsen
I have never heard a loving person say, "I am very loving", nor have I ever heard a pure person claim to be pure. Any such claims would weaken their declarations of love and purity. Where big words are used, there is usually not much substance behind them. Big words and vigorous gestures often reveal poor and shallow realities.[69/70]
However there seems to be a special temptation to employ big words in spiritual matters. Many fall for this temptation and think that they are the more convincing and more honouring to God when they make their claims with the use of superlatives. Hannah gives us some wise advice in this matter when she sings, "Talk no more so exceeding proudly" which in the Danish reads, "Be careful with your big words" (1 Samuel 2:3). Her experience of God's wonderful working had made her understand how small man is, and how unseemly it is for a little person to speak big word's.
Concerning Spiritual Experiences
It is refreshing to hear the great apostle refer to this matter by saying, "I think that I also have the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 7:40). We are struck by his modesty and humility. Yes, indeed, but can anyone who has the mighty Spirit of God speak differently? Can the presence of the Holy Spirit make a person cocksure, self-important, self-opinionated or arrogant? There are several reason why no-one who is governed by the Spirit can be anything but modest.
i. Firstly, the Holy Spirit not a possession which is at our disposal in the same way that other possessions are. It is possible that you have great talents and it is also possible that you own a big fortune, but it is not possible for you in this way to possess the Spirit of God, for He is divine. You can only have Him by faith, that is, in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
ii. Secondly, it is almost beyond our comprehension that the great Holy Spirit will dwell in a mere man. Only think for a moment what sort of a person you are, and then remember that the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Lord Himself. Do you consider that you two suit naturally together, and that you can claim any credit for being a dwelling place for Him? To the apostle Paul this was so overwhelmingly a matter of divine grace that it never ceased to be a wonder to him that God had made him fit to be a dwelling for His Spirit.
iii. Thirdly, the Spirit of God is so great that we feel very small in His presence. He is the Spirit of Truth, which means that He reveals how very much we still lack, and have no grounds at all for feeding our pride by speaking big words. The Holy Spirit had made Paul realise that although in some ways he was a great apostle, in fact he must regard himself as the least of the apostles and among the greatest of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:9 & 1 Timothy 1:15). The more the Holy Spirit controls us, the less we become in our own eyes and the greater become the Lord and the wonders of His grace. If there is present any boasting, self-assurance or pompous authority, then the Holy Spirit is not convincingly present, but rather is the flesh regaining control.
iv. Fourthly, when the Holy Spirit exercises control, He deprives us of our own imagined power so that we know ourselves to be weak and helpless. Paul had this experience greater than most others, finding that it is just on the basis of human weakness that the power of God works, and such power nether needs nor permits sounding words or pompous gestures. On the contrary, the kingdom of God does not consist of words -- and certainly not of his words -- but of divine power (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Concerning Steadfastness
We often hear Paul exhorting the saints, but he includes himself in these exhortations, whether or not he mentions the fact. Does he, for example, have to qualify his warning by such a phrase as "Let him that thinkethhe standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12)? Would it not be more bracing, since he is including himself, just to speak of a man standing rather than to suggest that his imagined steadfastness can be in his own mind? Does he have to be so cautious?
What we need to remember is that the question is of standing not in one's own estimation but of standing before God. When the time comes for us to present ourselves before the judgment seat of Christ, we will hardly be in a mood to boast of how steadfast we have been. We do well to remember what the Lord Jesus said about some who have not the least anxiety about being able to face the Judge, being convinced that they stand well, so much so that they will say to the Lord, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name, and by thy name cast out devils, and by thy name do many mighty works?" Such will feel sure that there can be no doubt about their authenticity, since they can produce outstanding [70/71] proofs of it. To them, however, the Lord Jesus declared that He would have to pronounce the dreadful words: "I never knew you; depart from me ..." (Matthew 7:22-23). Then it will be revealed, but too late, that they never had any standing in His sight and that, in spite of their imposing accomplishments, they remain among the workers of iniquity who walk in the darkness. No wonder the great apostle speaks carefully, for he speaks in the fear of the Lord.
Sometimes we sing a hymn, "I have decided to follow Jesus" in a spirit which suggests that although everyone else may hesitate, we will follow Him all the way. By all means let us sing it, but let us do so with trembling, not forgetting that the great apostle Peter also once promised that even if all the others failed the Lord, he would never do so!
I recently received a letter in which a young man wrote to me, "We at any rate will go all the way." I know that he meant this with all his heart, but I fear that he does not know himself yet, for every man has limits to what he can endure. For everyone of us there are tests which are too much for us. Praise God that He knows everyone of us and has promised not to let us be tested beyond our ability, but meanwhile we should choose to speak words of quiet faith rather than enlarged words of what we propose to do.
Would any of us be able to stand the test of Gethsemane? Would we be able to stand on Calvary? There is only One who was steadfast in every trial, and He did it because none of us could ever have been able to do so. Big words do not strengthen faith, however well-meant they may be. Thank God that modest words do not diminish faith or weaken it. When we do not feel any spiritual superiority then we are the more ready to put on the whole armour of God, for we know how weak we would be without that armour. Its first constituent is truth as a girdle round our loins, and that means truth about ourselves as well as truth about our Saviour and Lord. With this armour the weakest can stand, overcome in the evil day, and still be standing when all is done (Ephesians 6:13).
Concerning Resurrection
As I have said, that which is divine is not in our possession in the same way as other possessions are. We "possess" what is divine with that due fear and trembling which is characteristic of faith, that is, with certainty because Christ is faithful, and yet with trembling because it is at present invisible. If one dare speak of varying degrees in divine matters, then so far as I can see, resurrection is among the highest. It lies quite beyond our reach and exceeds all human understanding. Unlike us, Paul had actually seen into the eternal world, and he had heard words which it is unlawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). Had this experience given him a carnal assurance which made the future all plain and straightforward, without any problems? No, for he used modest words when he spoke of this: "... if by means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:11). The more we see into the realms of holiness and love, the more we tremble even while at the same time we yearn for their full fulfilment.
Quiet confidence is right and seemly, but it ill becomes any of us to be cocksure when the apostle is cautious. For his part he made it plain that nothing would prevent him from progressing towards the goal which is sure for those who are "found in Christ", and to this end was resolved even to bring his body into bondage (1 Corinthians 9:27). Such language reveals an aspect of apostolic faith which we do well to copy.
Concerning Poverty of Spirit
Why are Paul's utterances always permeated with a modesty which avoids big words of cocksureness? It was because he had learned to know himself more thoroughly. As Saul of Tarsus he had been convinced that he had standing with God and was spiritually in front of most, so that before God he was someone to be reckoned with. Just imagine! So far as the righteousness of the law was concerned he knew himself to be blameless. What a strong character, a veritable man of God he seemed to be! But then that light fell upon him which one day will shine upon us all, and then he saw himself as he really was. It was a fearful sight, for all that imagined blamelessness was seen to be nothing other than a filthy and defiled garment. There was not in his life a single thing which could make him acceptable to God. His professed sincerity was nothing, for in fact his intended goodwill had really not been good at all, for he was an enemy of the will of God, an enemy of love, and enemy of God Himself. [71/72]
He discovered that there was total and absolute distance between God and himself. There was no connecting link between him and the Almighty. The gulf seemed insuperable. It was then, and only then, that he understood what no-one knows without divine illumination, that salvation is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that has mercy (Romans 9:16). Who can appreciate this apart from those who have been completely exposed to the light of God? However when Paul learned this truth and that God's love is completely undeserved and incomprehensible, he was able to accept that Christ had so loved him as to take freely upon Himself all his sins in His own body, allowing Himself, as God's sacrificial Lamb to be slain for his sake.
The broken man learned that God's salvation does not build upon nor require human strength of character or will power, but that repentant sinners of the worst kind go into the kingdom before the self-righteous. This is incomprehensible and may seem offensive, but this is God's truth which cannot be altered. When, outside of Damascus, eternity's light broke revealingly upon Saul of Tarsus, he became as poor in spirit as a person can be; he knew himself to be a helpless sinner who merited condemnation, and in that poverty he found that the Kingdom of heaven was his, for the sake of the Lord Jesus. He remained poor in spirit for the rest of his life, for he did not run away from that light, so although he knew that the Kingdom of heaven was his, he never spoke big words about himself.
Concerning Trusting Faith
Living faith finds its true expression in modest language. When there are big words there is always, directly or indirectly, an impression of personal greatness. We tend to admire the spokesman, to wonder at his strong faith and the amazing experiences which he describes. He makes us wish that we had that kind of faith and may make us depressed, when gospel truth is meant to lift us up. Modest words, however, draw attention only to Him who is being spoken about. They do not create admiration for the speaker, but give confidence in the Saviour alone to those who are small and weak.
Big words suck the strength out of the gospel message; they change it into what seems to be for the strong and able. Modest words allow the gospel to retain its divine power, offering help to those who have no power in themselves. The gospel is the complete opposite of human thoughts. Only broken and contrite hearts can understand it.
(To be continued)
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BIG WORDS (2)
Poul Madsen
"Be careful with your big words"
1 Samuel 2:3 (Danish)
THE first statement made by the Lord Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount was: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). No-one has ever been as poor in spirit as He himself was, and for that reason the Kingdom of heaven has never been as near as it was when He walked the earth. He declared that He neither said nor did anything of Himself but only what He received from the Father.
Paul followed Him. As Saul of Tarsus he was anything but poor in spirit but when he became the apostle of Christ he could write: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves" and then add: "But our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). Such deep dependence upon God does not come naturally to us; our thoughts about ourselves are often too big, and our thoughts about God too small.
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BIG WORDS (2)
Poul Madsen
"Be careful with your big words"
1 Samuel 2:3 (Danish)
THE first statement made by the Lord Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount was: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). No-one has ever been as poor in spirit as He himself was, and for that reason the Kingdom of heaven has never been as near as it was when He walked the earth. He declared that He neither said nor did anything of Himself but only what He received from the Father.
Paul followed Him. As Saul of Tarsus he was anything but poor in spirit but when he became the apostle of Christ he could write: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves" and then add: "But our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). Such deep dependence upon God does not come naturally to us; our thoughts about ourselves are often too big, and our thoughts about God too small.
Big Deeds
In this same Sermon the Lord spoke of many who at the end would say to Him: "Lord, Lord, did we not ... in thy name do many mighty works", only to be rejected and disowned by Him (Matthew 7:22-23). In the Day when we stand before the Lord, all His words will be confirmed, including these which He said about the kingdom of heaven belonging to those who have been poor in spirit. There will be some who thought that the kingdom was theirs, as they pointed to what they called "many mighty works" done by them, but when the terrible truth is revealed, it will be seen that the Lord never knew them. He will use the same dismissive words which He used to Satan: "Depart from me" (Matthew 4:10), for it seems that they have been deceived by Satan and had served his purposes and not God's. Although they used the name of Jesus, they were never poor in spirit and so the kingdom had never been theirs.
On the other hand we are told of others on the right of the King, who are so poor in spirit that when thanked for their actions of love towards Him, they enquire, with some surprise, "Lord, when did we come to Thee or when did we take [83/84] Thee in?" (Matthew 25:37-39) since, in contrast to those who felt rich in spirit, they were not conscious of the merit of their deeds. When they were here among men they never emphasised their own significance or tried to prove that they were anything special in God's service. To their surprised joy, the Lord will say to these poor in spirit: "Come, ye blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
In this same Sermon the Lord spoke of many who at the end would say to Him: "Lord, Lord, did we not ... in thy name do many mighty works", only to be rejected and disowned by Him (Matthew 7:22-23). In the Day when we stand before the Lord, all His words will be confirmed, including these which He said about the kingdom of heaven belonging to those who have been poor in spirit. There will be some who thought that the kingdom was theirs, as they pointed to what they called "many mighty works" done by them, but when the terrible truth is revealed, it will be seen that the Lord never knew them. He will use the same dismissive words which He used to Satan: "Depart from me" (Matthew 4:10), for it seems that they have been deceived by Satan and had served his purposes and not God's. Although they used the name of Jesus, they were never poor in spirit and so the kingdom had never been theirs.
On the other hand we are told of others on the right of the King, who are so poor in spirit that when thanked for their actions of love towards Him, they enquire, with some surprise, "Lord, when did we come to Thee or when did we take [83/84] Thee in?" (Matthew 25:37-39) since, in contrast to those who felt rich in spirit, they were not conscious of the merit of their deeds. When they were here among men they never emphasised their own significance or tried to prove that they were anything special in God's service. To their surprised joy, the Lord will say to these poor in spirit: "Come, ye blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
The Many
We might think that the people who deceived themselves and deceived others while using the name of Jesus would be the exceptions, but this is hardly the case, for the Lord says that they are "many"; just as He said that there are many who go in at the wide gate and go on in the broad way (Matthew 7:13). We wonder how many of these used the name of Jesus and did "mighty works" in that name without ever having gone through the narrow gate and on to the strait way that leads to life.
It is not possible to come through the strait gate with your own riches of spirit; the gate is so narrow that only those who are nothing in themselves can get through, and the way is so narrow that it leaves no room for personal esteem and pride. In fact, to enter that gate is to lose your own life, even as the Lord said, that only the corn of wheat which falls into the ground and dies is really fruitful.
How, then, can it be that men can boast even to the Lord Himself that they have done mighty works in His name when they never came through to life? Of course this is a great problem, and I have no full answer to it, though perhaps I may make a few comments.
We might think that the people who deceived themselves and deceived others while using the name of Jesus would be the exceptions, but this is hardly the case, for the Lord says that they are "many"; just as He said that there are many who go in at the wide gate and go on in the broad way (Matthew 7:13). We wonder how many of these used the name of Jesus and did "mighty works" in that name without ever having gone through the narrow gate and on to the strait way that leads to life.
It is not possible to come through the strait gate with your own riches of spirit; the gate is so narrow that only those who are nothing in themselves can get through, and the way is so narrow that it leaves no room for personal esteem and pride. In fact, to enter that gate is to lose your own life, even as the Lord said, that only the corn of wheat which falls into the ground and dies is really fruitful.
How, then, can it be that men can boast even to the Lord Himself that they have done mighty works in His name when they never came through to life? Of course this is a great problem, and I have no full answer to it, though perhaps I may make a few comments.
The Cross
In his Letter Paul speaks about another Jesus than the One whom he preached and of another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). It seems that in Paul's time there were those who seemed to bring the same good tidings as the apostle, but whom he detected as being different. With his sharp ears, he could detect that their message was not really about the Jesus whom he preached, but about another and nor was their joy that which the gospel brings, but another joy. The Corinthians were too carnal to perceive this, but Paul tried to help them to do so. He used strong language about false apostles, saying that they were "deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ, and no marvel, for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). This makes us enquire what kind of Jesus and what kind of gospel it was that Paul preached.
He himself gives us the answer: "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). In practice this meant that he continues to lead us to Calvary and to the foot of the cross. There we are constantly self-exposed and discover God. There we understand (though only in a very limited and partial way) God's infinite holiness and His rejection of even the best that we can provide. But there we also discover (though also in a limited and partial degree) the greatness of our Saviour and Lord who, for love's sake, bore the wrath of God in His own sinless body.
At the cross of Calvary no-one will dare call attention to the miracles and mighty works done by himself. At the foot of that cross every human sense of being important is destroyed, only ever to emerge again if the cross is forsaken. But what about joy? It may be argued that there can be no joy in looking to the crucified One, only deep sorrow for our sinfulness. Yes, but the strangest thing about the gospel is that while it does not nulify sorrow for sin, but rather continually increases it, at the very same time it gives a deep, deep joy, with gratitude for Christ's redeeming love.
The preachers against whom Paul warned were not satisfied with this. It was too small for them. They lacked the fear of God and were not at all afraid of their own fallen nature and so not ashamed to speak big words. They used the name of Jesus, they referred to the Scriptures, they prophesied and did miracles, but they never trembled, for they neither knew Jesus nor themselves. They were deceived and they deceived others. It is most distressing to think that people who had been so active and had used the name [84/85] of Jesus should meet with the dreadful condemnation of the Lord. Who does not tremble and pray: "Search me, O Lord, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any way of grief in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
In his Letter Paul speaks about another Jesus than the One whom he preached and of another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). It seems that in Paul's time there were those who seemed to bring the same good tidings as the apostle, but whom he detected as being different. With his sharp ears, he could detect that their message was not really about the Jesus whom he preached, but about another and nor was their joy that which the gospel brings, but another joy. The Corinthians were too carnal to perceive this, but Paul tried to help them to do so. He used strong language about false apostles, saying that they were "deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ, and no marvel, for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). This makes us enquire what kind of Jesus and what kind of gospel it was that Paul preached.
He himself gives us the answer: "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). In practice this meant that he continues to lead us to Calvary and to the foot of the cross. There we are constantly self-exposed and discover God. There we understand (though only in a very limited and partial way) God's infinite holiness and His rejection of even the best that we can provide. But there we also discover (though also in a limited and partial degree) the greatness of our Saviour and Lord who, for love's sake, bore the wrath of God in His own sinless body.
At the cross of Calvary no-one will dare call attention to the miracles and mighty works done by himself. At the foot of that cross every human sense of being important is destroyed, only ever to emerge again if the cross is forsaken. But what about joy? It may be argued that there can be no joy in looking to the crucified One, only deep sorrow for our sinfulness. Yes, but the strangest thing about the gospel is that while it does not nulify sorrow for sin, but rather continually increases it, at the very same time it gives a deep, deep joy, with gratitude for Christ's redeeming love.
The preachers against whom Paul warned were not satisfied with this. It was too small for them. They lacked the fear of God and were not at all afraid of their own fallen nature and so not ashamed to speak big words. They used the name of Jesus, they referred to the Scriptures, they prophesied and did miracles, but they never trembled, for they neither knew Jesus nor themselves. They were deceived and they deceived others. It is most distressing to think that people who had been so active and had used the name [84/85] of Jesus should meet with the dreadful condemnation of the Lord. Who does not tremble and pray: "Search me, O Lord, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any way of grief in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
The Few
The Lord describes those who are in the narrow way as few (Matthew 7:14). These are those who stand on the King's right hand and although no mention is made of their being few in number, they are described as sheep. The name seems to suggest that they are rather helpless and might even be called "stupid", especially since they cannot remember what they did for the Lord. They are called, however, The blessed of the Father, and certainly they are invited to inherit the eternal kingdom. So they must be the poor in spirit. Even so they are regarded by the world (and sometimes by fellow Christians) as foolish.
The call to the kingdom suggests that they have built their lives not upon their own wisdom or efforts but upon the grace of God which ignores our ideas of righteousness and any good or evil that belongs to us. In other words, such people have tasted their own total nothingness and found the power of Him who "saved and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal" (2 Timothy 1:9).
Notice what they do not say! They do not boast of all that they have accomplished in the name of Jesus; in fact they say nothing at all until the Lord addresses them. They are true sheep. They are the poor in spirit. They make no claims for themselves and yet theirs in the kingdom of heaven.
It could be that if onlookers compared them with the rejected "many" they would judge that the workers of wonderful works had brought more glory to the Lord than they. After all, what is a gracious visit to a needy home to be compared with a sensational miracle? Of course the Lord is more than an onlooker. He views things differently. By Him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). What is big in the eyes of men is not necessarily weighty in the eyes of the Lord. We must fear that those who are so keen to remember their good deeds are thinking rather of themselves than of the love which does not seek its own.
The Lord describes those who are in the narrow way as few (Matthew 7:14). These are those who stand on the King's right hand and although no mention is made of their being few in number, they are described as sheep. The name seems to suggest that they are rather helpless and might even be called "stupid", especially since they cannot remember what they did for the Lord. They are called, however, The blessed of the Father, and certainly they are invited to inherit the eternal kingdom. So they must be the poor in spirit. Even so they are regarded by the world (and sometimes by fellow Christians) as foolish.
The call to the kingdom suggests that they have built their lives not upon their own wisdom or efforts but upon the grace of God which ignores our ideas of righteousness and any good or evil that belongs to us. In other words, such people have tasted their own total nothingness and found the power of Him who "saved and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal" (2 Timothy 1:9).
Notice what they do not say! They do not boast of all that they have accomplished in the name of Jesus; in fact they say nothing at all until the Lord addresses them. They are true sheep. They are the poor in spirit. They make no claims for themselves and yet theirs in the kingdom of heaven.
It could be that if onlookers compared them with the rejected "many" they would judge that the workers of wonderful works had brought more glory to the Lord than they. After all, what is a gracious visit to a needy home to be compared with a sensational miracle? Of course the Lord is more than an onlooker. He views things differently. By Him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). What is big in the eyes of men is not necessarily weighty in the eyes of the Lord. We must fear that those who are so keen to remember their good deeds are thinking rather of themselves than of the love which does not seek its own.
Current Interest
God's Word is always of current interest; it speaks to every generation, and we do well to consider what it says. Perhaps our generation needs to pray for special grace to do so, since it was never more important to be firmly founded on the cross of Christ. If we are indeed in the end time, as many think, then we are warned of the many false prophets who will arise to lead many astray (Matthew 24:11). Humility is the great safeguard. We must remember that even when we are serving the Lord we are still fallible sheep. Indeed Paul stated that he and his co-workers were "accounted as sheep for the slaughter" (Romans 8:36). Thank God that we can look forward to the day when our Shepherd King will say to us, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world". So let us seek grace to remain among the poor in spirit.
God's Word is always of current interest; it speaks to every generation, and we do well to consider what it says. Perhaps our generation needs to pray for special grace to do so, since it was never more important to be firmly founded on the cross of Christ. If we are indeed in the end time, as many think, then we are warned of the many false prophets who will arise to lead many astray (Matthew 24:11). Humility is the great safeguard. We must remember that even when we are serving the Lord we are still fallible sheep. Indeed Paul stated that he and his co-workers were "accounted as sheep for the slaughter" (Romans 8:36). Thank God that we can look forward to the day when our Shepherd King will say to us, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world". So let us seek grace to remain among the poor in spirit.
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