Three Points to prove this statement are coming up …
The Teachings of Yeshua are actually meant to be “self authenticating …”
… Not dependent on outside sources of information. God is willing to speak and teach each one of His Children Directly. That is, if they are willing. He is willing and able, if we are willing and ready to receive directly from Him! That is something very unique to the Biblical Relationship between a genuine believer and the Almighty. There is no need for a middle man. God can raise up a Child of God to be a Man of God, like the Son of God, in no time, through the Word of God. If the child of God is willing to learn from the Spirit of God in the Kingdom of God, he will progressively grow into the Nature and Stature of the Holy One of God who teaches him.
Point One:
I will learn by doing: (This is not about head knowledge, but heart knowledge {real living visceral working out of our Salvation in Fear and Trembling before a Holy God} that produces a change of heart and mind, and transforms us into a new creation.)
- John 7:17 (KJV) 17 If any man will do His will [God’s Will], he shall know of the doctrine [Yeshua’s Teaching], whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
- On the other had, If my will is to do my own will, all the teaching, all the schooling, all the serving and all spiritual practices and prayers in the world won’t change my will. I will come out of my training the same way I went into my training–ready and posed–to do the will of “me.” Prime Example: Judas Iscariot.
John 7:17-19 (NIV) 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God [he] will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory [How many people does this describe in Church Ministry?], but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
Point Two:
I will learn by listening to the Voice of God: tuning my ear to hear His Word, and then doing it.
- John 10:27-28 (KJV) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
- 1 John 2:26-27 (KJV) 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Yes, God uses teachers, preachers, prophets, evangelists, friends and confidants, to help us in our walk with Him. But when push comes to shove, we don’t need them. They are accessories to hopefully help us speed up the process of growing into His Likeness. But in an age of Apostasy, like now, many people may be posers that pose an obstacle, rather than provide a bridge to God and to do His Will.
When so many pretenders abound, and so few living examples: We need to grab a hold of Him through His Anointing, His Holy Spirit, whom He has given to us. Without Him in a time of a great falling away, we would be lost. But, because we have Him, and He can and will lead us in to all Truth and His Truth is not a lie, then we can abide in Him safely and securely, even though all others have departed from the Way of Truth.
Point Three:
We are called to Test His Word.
- John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This is an “If / Then” scenario: 1) If ye continue in my word, then: 2) are ye my disciples indeed; 3) And ye shall know the truth, and 4) the truth shall make you free, [that is If I have believe on Him].
Can you see how … Each step is predicated on the one before it.
And the opposite is also true: 1) If I don’t continue in His word, then: 2) I won’t be His disciples indeed; 3) And I won’t know the truth, and therefore: 4) the truth shall not make me free, even if I originally believed in him.
Many people believe they were once Christians, but now they are not.
I would challenge that scenario.
If you have met Jesus, Yeshua, Messiah, and you turn away from him, it is likely you never really met him in the first place.
We can look in to this deeper else where, but for now just examine the above 3 points.
Many false converts never arrive at the first point, let alone points 2 and 3.
Even Judas Iscariot who spent 3.5 years in Jesus’ presence never really made it past the first step.
Once you get the Big Picture, all the little pictures and details will much more easily fall into place.
Shalom,
Brother Thomas