The Diamond

“Some things in [Paul’s] letters are hard to understand….” –2 Peter 3:16

Do you find things in scripture “hard to understand”? Paul Washer says, “Join the exclusive club.” Should we expect anything less from the “Most High” who must “stoop to look down on heaven and earth” (Psa 113:4-5)? It is not an easy thing to comprehend the “eternal God” (Isa 40:28) whose power is “awesome” and wisdom is “limitless” (Psa 147:5), from whose mouth comes “everything—both calamity and blessing” (Lam 3:38), whose thoughts and ways are far beyond our comprehension (Job 36:26; Psa 139:6; Isa 55:9).

God’s glorious gospel is a colossal diamond before tiny human beings (ex: Isa 40:13-15). Yet because men are wicked (Rom 3:10-12) who themselves “walk in darkness” (Isa 9:2), God shrouds His glory (Psa 18:11; Exo 20:21). Yet for those who approach God in true faith (Heb 11:6) diligently seeking His stunning wisdom (Jam 1:5-6) and meekly led by His Spirit (Mat 5:5; Rom 8:12-15), they have their true sight restored (2Co 5:7; Luke 18:42; 24:31). By the light of God’s word (Psa 119:105), God illuminates one glorious facet at a time (Exo 33:18-23). He transforms a mundane mind (Rom 12:2) into “the mind of Christ” capable of understanding glorious truths (1Co 2:14-16). He removes spiritual scales from our eyes (Acts 9:18) and reveals things too wonderful to behold (Job 42:3-6; Psa 139:6).

But this was never meant to be a solo exercise.

EXAMINE THE DIAMOND TOGETHER

“Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?” –1 Corinthians 14:36

Let us stand before the diamond of the Gospel. We are short-sighted and our strides so small that we could not possibly walk around such a mountainous jewel or study its every facet, even if given a thousand lifetimes. There is so much of God and His gospel that I fail to see from my current position—for my eyes are limited and my feet are often too stubborn to explore.

Yet God knows “we are made of clay,” and “a person’s life is like grass” (Psa 103:14-15). And so He has given us a community in which to immerse ourselves in order to grow from deep doctrinal discussions (saints beside us) and theologically robust books (saints from afar). A brother-in-Christ, whose experiences do not match my own, stands in a unique position in contrast to mine. God has revealed to another man things about His glory that I have not seen. Remember: “God has placed each member of the body just as he decided,” and “blended together” parts that are not alike (1Co 12:18,24). Just as we need one another serving in our spiritual giftings, we also need one another for unique insight and experiential offerings “for the strengthening of the church” (1Co 14:26).

Tim Keller puts it his way: “Each denomination has its strengths and weaknesses. Every one of them has limitations. [We need] way more collaboration…. Presbyterians have got doctrine and deep exegesis. Baptists have outreach and evangelism. Charismatics and Anglicans have worship. They have all got their own vitamin that is their own specialty, [where] the other denominations will never do as well. Unless you know each other really well, you won’t be able to learn from the other denominations and traditions.” (Special Interview from “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” Podcast).

Consider the diversity of the saints. Consider our own blind spots, and that we perhaps share visual obstacles with those whom we naturally gather. Consider that our flesh works against us, avoiding challenges to our comfort zone. Let us actively work against this fleshly constraint, seeking the visual aid of many brothers- and sisters-in-Christ.

But we must approach this exercise of community seeking with great caution.

FOCUS ON THE DIAMOND ALONE

“Some things in [Paul’s] letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.” –2 Peter 3:16-18

For if we affix our attention upon the person and his words rather than the light of scripture and the diamond it illuminates, we will be “led astray” (2Co 11:3; Gal 2:13). Our intellect may grow, but so will our pride (1Co 8:1). And once men congregate under a prideful tower, God’s opposition is certain (Gen 11:3-8). We will have moved no closer to Christ, nor flourished in fruitfulness (John 15:5-8).

The only thing another man can offer us is perspective, an invitation to stand where he is and gaze upon an arresting facet that we have scarcely considered.

Paul Washer made this observation: “If I have two men with the exact same theology and the exact same doctrine, and one got it from scripture and the other from good books, I’m going to be able to tell the difference when I talk to them. There is no substitute for scripture.”

Therefore, let us seek to grow, not in intellectual knowledge of a book, but in the “knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Be humble (Phi 2:3) and quick to listen (Jam 1:19) to the perspectives of others. But remain focused on the diamond, listening to the Spirit for truth on all things (John 16:13).

O God, bless us this day with new insight from others. Show us another facet of Your infinite glory!