Lighthouse scribes

Matthew 11:25, Matthew 18:3-4, Colossians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 1 John 2:20, 27, 24, Luke 8:9-10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Mark 4:10-12.

If you were like me as a child and you enjoyed stories, then you’d have loved listening to or even reading the parables as a child. Perhaps my heart was as a child receiving the teaching with humility, accepting it as what it says.
As an adult, I’ve read with more understanding, knowing in more depth, and revering the teachings of our Lord. Jesus taught the multitudes and his disciples with parables and it shows how important we must take them (as we should every part of God’s word). In parables, God is speaking to us too, and we fall into one of two categories of people they are meant for.

The scriptures show us that all men who claim to follow God do not all have the capacity to receive God’s word. I use the word ‘claim’ because saying we are following God, even evident in our activity (being in every church program or Christian activity), is not proof that we are following Him. Following God is not simply being where His name is mentioned or even mentioning His name. Following God is a daily decision to make Jesus Lord of our lives, and this is obvious in our practice of prayer, studying the word, and living out the word.

In the synoptic gospels, we see Jesus use relatable stories to teach his followers deep spiritual truths about God’s kingdom. Parables were told that eyes may or may not see, ears may or may not hear, and hearts may perceive or may not perceive. Spiritual truths will either enlighten you or make your heart further from God. Let’s examine these truths, one at a time.

Spiritual truths will enlighten.
Matthew 13:12a, Mark 4:11a

Mark 4:11a AMP
[11] He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts].

No one can receive the teachings of God without a humble heart. In the words of Jesus:

Mark 4:24-25 AMP
[24] Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. [25] For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

When we seek to know God as a child does— trusting, willing to learn, with no selfish motives to use the word to justify our take—then our eyes will see, because beyond parables, the mysteries become revelations.


Spiritual truths will blind.

But it’s the heart that’s the problem. The pattern of continuous and deliberate resistance to God we read of in the Old Testament is one that’s common to mankind until there’s a stronger deliberate decision to let Jesus be the Lord of our lives. Christ is not a superhero that swings in to save us from harm and says goodbye. He’s the Messiah that redeems us into His Kingdom to become Lord over our lives. When we expose ourselves to God’s teachings with the intent to consume them upon our lusts (wrong agenda, wrong motive, unrighteous desires, puffed up in our own wisdom), what we’ll have is exactly as Jesus’ described; the mystery becomes more complex. All we’ll have is a story, never a revelation.

So, until there’s repentance from a persistent spiritual deafness, blindness, and hardness of heart, a person will hear God’s word, and it will only further harden the heart and be a stumbling block. Indeed, what little they have will be taken from them.

In the next few months, I’ll be sharing my study of the parables of Jesus. As you study alongside, this is my prayer, that we will approach each study with hearts like kids, ready to learn what Abba says and what He’s saying to us, and strengthened to live out His will daily, on this side of eternity. Amen.

See you soon.

Love,

Osi

P.S Maybe soon is this weekend.

P.P.S I’m sorry, I’ve been AWOL. I won’t give excuses.