COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS
1 Cor. 2:13
Morning Meditation 3/30/2013
I have a book given me by Dr. Tom Stucke. It is of the Keswick week held in 1952. The Keswick Convention that is held in England is known around the world. The book records the happenings at Keswick and the Bible readings and Sermons brought by the great men of that day. The one I want to focus on in this meditation is by the late Rev. W. Graham Scroggie, D.D. This meditation will be basically excerpts’ of this message. These men were scholars and longed for revival. (A combination that doesn’t often exist).
He begins his message; “It has been said that this meeting sets the keynote of the whole Convention. That makes this opportunity a very serious and a very solemn one for those who have to speak. And yet we have to remind ourselves that our responsibility is limited, and that we must look to the Spirit of God to direct not only the speakers but the hearers. We are cast upon Him, and I want in the time appointed to me this evening to endeavor to present the standpoint that will be assumed throughout the week in all the addresses. I do not know what the addresses will be, but I do not need to know to make that statement because this great Convention rests upon certain truths that are unalterable, and that are proclaimed in various ways from year to year.”
“In 1 Corinthians 2:13 we read: ‘We speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.’ The last phrase of this verse is variously interpreted by the scholars, no fewer than six distinct meanings being given to it; but we shall follow the translation of the Authorized Version as being the most satisfactory.”
“By ‘comparing spiritual things with spiritual’ is implied that revealed truths are combined so as to form a consistent and well proportioned system of truth, and for want of a careful comparison of these truths much confusion of mind and much failure in experience have resulted. Let us, then make this comparison relative to several important subjects.” Now I will proceed to let him speak on his main points in abbreviated form:
First, he compares “Justification and Sanctification.” “These of course, are vitally related, and yet they are quite distinct. One cannot be sanctified who is not justified, but one may be justified and yet not be experimentally sanctified. Most of us here are justified, but we have come together to consider whether or not we are sanctified. In Romans 5:1, Paul says that all believers are ‘justified by faith,’ but elsewhere, addressing believers he says, ‘This is the will of God, even your sanctification’ (1 Thess. 4:3).”
“Justification relates to our standing in Christ, but sanctification relates to our experimental state. Justification points to our position, but sanctification affects our condition. By justification we are brought into relationship with God, but by sanctification we are brought into fellowship with Him. Justification is based on the work of Christ for us, but sanctification results from the work of the Spirit in us. Justification tells of acceptance, but sanctification, of attainment. Justification admits of no degrees, but sanctification does. Justification is complete and eternal, but sanctification is progressive for in Hebrews 10:14 we read of ‘them that are being sanctified.’”
Second, he compares: “Relationship and Fellowship.” “There can be no fellowship with God by one who is not savingly related to Him. But this relationship can exist in the absence of fellowship. In John 1:12 we read: ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His Name.’ And in John 15:14, we read: ‘Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.’ From these two passages we learn that one becomes a child of God by faith, and that one becomes a friend of God by obedience. No one can be a friend of God who is not a child of God, but there are many who are children of God but not his friends.”
Third, he compares “The Believer’s Position and Condition.” “In the New Testament Epistles the believer is viewed in two ways—as perfect in Christ, and as imperfect in himself. A striking passage in this connection is 1 Corinthians 5:7, which says: ‘Purge out the old leaven . . . as ye are unleavened.’ The first of these phrases— ‘purge out the old leaven’ shows that the Christian is imperfect in himself; and the second phrase—’as ye are unleavened’— shows that he is perfect in Christ. It is a seeming contradiction, but a profound spiritual truth. What Paul says is ‘Because there is not evil in you, put away all the evil that is in you.’ That is the whole philosophy of the Christian life. It means—become what you are; approximate actually to what you are ideally; let your condition come ever nearer to your position; let your actual state in this world ever more worthily represent your wonderful standing in Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”
Fourth, he compares “Life and Health.” “Of course, every Christian has life, but every Christian has not health. The Christian Church is very much of a hospital in which many sick doctors and nurses are trying to help many sick patients. ( I’ve just got to plant a “wow” right here. How descriptive of our day) But it is God’s will, not only that we should live spiritually, but that our life should be robust and vigorous. Christ said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).”
Fifth, he compares “The Instantaneous and the Progressive.” “In 2 Corinthians 7:1 we read: ‘Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ ‘Let us cleanse ourselves’ is in a tense which signifies that it is something which must be done instantaneously and completely; and ‘perfecting holiness’ is in a tense which shows that this must be a progressive action. This distinction must be drawn if we are to understand the meaning of the Christian life. The Bible does not speak of progressive cleansing, nor of instantaneous holiness. The one is a preparation for the other. There cannot be holiness where there is not cleansing, but there may be cleansing which is not followed by holiness just as one may start a race and not finish it. The impartation of spiritual life is instantaneous, but spiritual growth is progressive; and both Scripture and observation show that, notwithstanding life, growth can be arrested.”
