Saturday, September 24, 2011
But God's Doing a NEW Thing!
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19, KJV). Unfortunately, every time I read this verse, I'm NOT reminded of God's beautiful promise to Israel. This is the verse that I've heard many people use to justify moving outside of God's Word in some "move of the Spirit." When questioned about the validity of their actions, they invariably point to this chapter and verse to explain their behavior. In essence, their explanation goes something like this, "Look, I know that what I'm doing (or saying or teaching or promoting) is not necessarily mentioned in the Bible, but look - "God's doing a NEW THING!"
The first, and most obvious, problem with this reasoning is that it is using a scripture completely out of context! This promise from the Lord was not intended to become our license (or Israel's) to move outside of scriptural boundaries and safeguards. I find it hard to believe that God would want His promise to ancient Israel to become the justification for "new" teaching, behavior or practice.
Usually, those who are seeking some "new move of the Spirit," want to go outside of what they perceive as stale church worship or dead Christian practice. Their belief is that the church (the local body or overall) is in need of some change. I've heard the reasoning cloaked in phrases like "Spirit-led," "new move," and "greater revelation." (The ultimate trump card that is often played when questioned by pastoral leadership is: "God told me so.") But this verse from Isaiah's prophecy was never intended to justify actions without accountability - from Scripture or from spiritual leadership! Using this verse as a license for scripturally unsanctioned behavior is like telling the policeman that you're not "under the law" anymore, so you don't have to obey the speed limits. Absurd!
I've been accused of "grieving" and "quenching" the Spirit. I've heard the justification that "wild fire is better than no fire." Of course, the careless disregard for others (especially those who are young in the Lord) is dismissed because of the greater right to exercise this new liberty in the Lord. The lack of humility, kindness, gentleness and compassion are not even considered. It never registers that this "lack of" reveals a prevailing immaturity and a decidedly unspiritual attitude.
Here is the heart of the problem: most of the people that I have heard use this passage as their reasoning are not under any spiritual leadership. They disdain the church and are not connected in any significant relational way - except with those who share and affirm their views. Most arrogantly assume that they are "above correction" and that their new (and greater) revelation sets them apart from any need for leadership or guidance.
The avoidance of honest discourse isn't surprising when people feel that they are under some "mandate" from God. But that doesn't give us the "right" to do an "end run" around the leadership of the local church! This was at the heart of many of the problems in the Corinthian church, and as we read Paul's rebukes we are reminded of the same tendencies in the modern church. Spiritual leadership is a gift to the church and Scripture is replete with examples of submitting to godly leadership and not causing strife or division within the body. "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit" (Hebrews 13:17, NLT). No one is above the guidelines, structure, correction and reproof that Scripture provides - through the Bible - and through pastoral leadership. And there is no greater revelation than God's Word!
God's Word is given as our rule and it creates boundaries that certainly limit our "liberties." "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV). Using one scripture, pulled out of context, to justify what we may "feel" is right, must not become our reasoning for unscriptural behavior or practice. We have God's Word for a reason and we must use it to weigh our attitudes and actions by ALL of Scripture.
So, the next time we feel that God is doing a new thing: We must consider our motivations and check our attitude before the Lord. Don't forget that the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are not mutually exclusive - they work in beautiful harmony! It is important to stay submitted to Godly leadership - our pastors and leaders can provide the guidance, protection and correction that we need when we believe that God is moving in a new way. It is imperative to test what we feel against the guidelines of God's Word.
I am not questioning God's abilities. He is certainly "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20, KJV)! But He will never compromise His character and He will never contradict His Word (what is revealed of Him and through Him in Scripture).
The first, and most obvious, problem with this reasoning is that it is using a scripture completely out of context! This promise from the Lord was not intended to become our license (or Israel's) to move outside of scriptural boundaries and safeguards. I find it hard to believe that God would want His promise to ancient Israel to become the justification for "new" teaching, behavior or practice.
Usually, those who are seeking some "new move of the Spirit," want to go outside of what they perceive as stale church worship or dead Christian practice. Their belief is that the church (the local body or overall) is in need of some change. I've heard the reasoning cloaked in phrases like "Spirit-led," "new move," and "greater revelation." (The ultimate trump card that is often played when questioned by pastoral leadership is: "God told me so.") But this verse from Isaiah's prophecy was never intended to justify actions without accountability - from Scripture or from spiritual leadership! Using this verse as a license for scripturally unsanctioned behavior is like telling the policeman that you're not "under the law" anymore, so you don't have to obey the speed limits. Absurd!
I've been accused of "grieving" and "quenching" the Spirit. I've heard the justification that "wild fire is better than no fire." Of course, the careless disregard for others (especially those who are young in the Lord) is dismissed because of the greater right to exercise this new liberty in the Lord. The lack of humility, kindness, gentleness and compassion are not even considered. It never registers that this "lack of" reveals a prevailing immaturity and a decidedly unspiritual attitude.
Here is the heart of the problem: most of the people that I have heard use this passage as their reasoning are not under any spiritual leadership. They disdain the church and are not connected in any significant relational way - except with those who share and affirm their views. Most arrogantly assume that they are "above correction" and that their new (and greater) revelation sets them apart from any need for leadership or guidance.
The avoidance of honest discourse isn't surprising when people feel that they are under some "mandate" from God. But that doesn't give us the "right" to do an "end run" around the leadership of the local church! This was at the heart of many of the problems in the Corinthian church, and as we read Paul's rebukes we are reminded of the same tendencies in the modern church. Spiritual leadership is a gift to the church and Scripture is replete with examples of submitting to godly leadership and not causing strife or division within the body. "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit" (Hebrews 13:17, NLT). No one is above the guidelines, structure, correction and reproof that Scripture provides - through the Bible - and through pastoral leadership. And there is no greater revelation than God's Word!
God's Word is given as our rule and it creates boundaries that certainly limit our "liberties." "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV). Using one scripture, pulled out of context, to justify what we may "feel" is right, must not become our reasoning for unscriptural behavior or practice. We have God's Word for a reason and we must use it to weigh our attitudes and actions by ALL of Scripture.
So, the next time we feel that God is doing a new thing: We must consider our motivations and check our attitude before the Lord. Don't forget that the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are not mutually exclusive - they work in beautiful harmony! It is important to stay submitted to Godly leadership - our pastors and leaders can provide the guidance, protection and correction that we need when we believe that God is moving in a new way. It is imperative to test what we feel against the guidelines of God's Word.
I am not questioning God's abilities. He is certainly "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20, KJV)! But He will never compromise His character and He will never contradict His Word (what is revealed of Him and through Him in Scripture).
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