http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Perry/Eugene/Charles/1922/Articles/Godspeaks.html
God speaks to man
When God speaks we should be listening. We should by all means be
tuned in, on the right wave length, to receive, assimilate and translate into
obedient action whatever instruction or admonition God sends our way.
Although I do not claim to be an authority, I will make some
observations on this subject. I cannot but have questions when I hear of
the variety of strange messages men are claiming that they receive from God.
Pilgrimages, mass suicides, polygamous marriages, “holy” wars, etc. have been proclaimed to be
responses to divine messages.
We are forced to the conclusion that men often make plans, decide what
they want to or think they should do, and then manage to convince
themselves and announce that such was revealed to them as God’s will. The
same process has, I fear, even been true regarding doctrines that relate to
salvation, worship and Christian living.
There is a difference between being open and receptive to God’s communications and
looking for and expecting his support for preconceived plans, ideas and concepts. Whatever
the manner of communication, it is important that the message not be “wrested”
to fit our agendas. When someone tells you that God spoke to them,
that they heard his actual words, do you wonder why you never had
such an experience?
Through the history of his dealings with humans, God has communicated in a
variety of ways. Certainly, “what has been made” speaks to us of “his
eternal power and divine nature” (Rom.1:20). He had a conversational relationship with Adam,
Enoch and others. He spoke to and through patriarchs (fathers of families), prophets
and chosen people. He communicated in visions, dreams and demonstrations. In considering this
the writer of Hebrews began the letter, “In the past God spoke to
our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,” (Heb.1:1).
However, these former processes are contrasted with, “but in these last days he
has spoken to us by his Son,” (v.2a).
Since Jesus is not physically with us today, it appears that he has
made provision for us to hear his message from others whom he chose
for the purpose rather than in some mystical way, perhaps “better felt than
told”. The inspired writer proceeds to point to the “binding” nature of the
messages received “by angels” and uses this to warn us of the grave
consequences of ignoring “such a great salvation,” (Heb.2:2,3), the message by his Son.
The message of God regarding our great salvation was spoken by Jesus himself,
refreshed in the memories of his apostles by the Holy Spirit (Heb.2:3,4) and
confirmed for us (its source established) by means of miracles. The New Testament
scriptures have long been recognized as the end result of this process, written
by those that heard Jesus and saw his great works and later were
enabled to do similar works to establish what they spoke and wrote. This
body of teaching, “the faith”, is described as “once for all entrusted to
the saints” (Jude 3). Hence, it appears that we should not expect any
new or different message from modern day theologians, scholars or “prophets”.
There are those who are seriously asking whether God is speaking to churches
today through “theological voices” as he did through Paul and the other New
Testament writers. Today’s scholars cannot be God’s messengers in the same way that
the apostles were. They have not seen or heard Jesus nor has he
promised them a Comforter to put his message in their minds.
On the individual, personal level, communication from God via the scriptures may seem
too general and to God by prayer, too one-way. Because of this some
claim that God actually responds verbally or, perhaps, in some still small voice.
Others, having no direct message, feel that they do not experience God in
an intimate way. Current literature on “Experiencing God” appears to be an attempt
to respond to these feelings.
Some are urging us to practise “listening prayer”. Certainly, we should, while praying,
let God know that we are open to his message and really do
seek his response whether it is through scripture, circumstances or our brothers and
sisters. It is not uncommon to hear, in a prayer, the request that
God “guard, guide and direct us”. Yes, we need protection. Yes, we fumble
around and are lost without his guidance and direction. God has taken care
of much of this through the scriptures and our relationship with one another
in his family.
God’s message is provided to and for the seeker. (John 7:17, Matt.7:7,8). Cornelius’
prayer resulted, not in God telling him what to do to be saved,
but in his coming to this knowledge through God’s chosen agent (Acts 10).
God’s medium today is the New Testament scriptures and not individual direct messages
and not some modern day prophet speaking differently then those scriptures, either more
or less.
We must tune in, - study with open minds and receptive hearts. Let
us, first of all, be willing to receive and submit to the clear
and obvious rather than look for less likely messages delivered in some other
way.
God speaks to us today through Jesus and those he appointed. Let us
tune in, be receptive and humbly obey.
Eugene C. Perry
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)