Day 29
"Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another"
1 Corinthians 4:6
My Prayer
Yahweh, my Heavenly Father, thank You for this scripture.Y I praise You for the power that is in it. I thank You for what You will do through it (Isaiah 55:11). Please reveal its meaning to our minds (Psalm 119:18). For all who read here, please lead them to pray this page with me...
Heavenly Father, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:7, You teach us not to use logic to invent a doctrine and then call that deduction a doctrine of God.
In
the Corinthian church there was jealousy and strife (3:3). Some said they were
"of Paul". Others were "of Apollos" (3:4). Paul's admonition
to "learn not to think beyond the things which are written" is
pointed directly to the issue of Paul verses Apollos. They were arrogant
(puffed up) with each other over this. Lord, please forgive us for our pride.
The strife had to do with what
they thought. It also had to do with going beyond what was written.
It is very clear that they had opinions which were not from scripture, because
their thoughts went "beyond the things which are written".
You had provided quite a bit of scripture at the time that 1 Corinthians was written. You had given them
the entire Old Testament, James, Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, possibly Mark,
plus at least one letter from an apostle which has been lost to us (1
Corinthians 5:9). They had less scripture than we do now, but still had over 900 pages.
Through the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:6, You spoke directly to the
flaw of human reasoning related to the Paul, Apollos controversy. Paul wrote that
the reasoning of the wise was worthless (3:20). He connected that futility of
human reasoning with the Paul, Apollos controversy (3:21-22). He then
connects the Paul, Apollos controversy to his admonition against thinking "beyond the things which are written" (4:6).
Then, in 4:7 Paul says that whatever we have is received. In other words, theological understanding is not derived by human logic. Theological understanding is granted by You. Your Son, Jesus, showed us this truth: "Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45). (Jesus opened their minds.)
Lord, You know that when we "think beyond the things which are
written", we enter into misunderstanding, rather than understanding. We
create arguments, strife and different denominations. My Lord, please lead Your
people to always ask this question with regard to any doctrine: "Where
does it say that?"
When we "think beyond the
things which are written", we use logic to create a doctrine which is not
expressly stated in scripture. That doctrine will inevitably contradict some
express statement of scripture.
For decades I was frustrated with
contradictions as I read scripture.
You revealed to this to me: The
contradictions did not involve situations where scripture contradicted
scripture. The contradictions I observed involved contradictions between
scripture and man-made doctrines... Man-made doctrines I had created by
extensions of logic based on a scripture... man-made doctrines that
preachers had taught me.
So, I decided to stop trying to
deduce a "higher truth" from a scripture and then label that
deduction as a doctrine of God. I decided to not accept a doctrine from a
preacher unless it was a clear express teaching of scripture. From that point
on, my problem with contradictions in scripture virtually disappeared. You
deserve all praise!
My Lord, those who "think beyond the things which are written" use logic to
create a doctrine. Then they label that doctrine as a doctrine of God. They are actually claiming to be a prophet. Such a one is claiming to have discovered
truth which is equal to scripture. Lord, teach Your children to be careful
in our interpretations.
You have ordained the conditions by which we understand scripture.1.5 If we violate those conditions, we will created man-made doctrines. If we live by our man-made doctrines, it is hard to walk by the Spirit.
Lord, teach Your people to ask this question with regard to any doctrine: "Where does it say that?" or... "where may I read about that?"
You deserve all praise!
In this passage, 1 Corinthians 4:6, You have revealed just one of the conditions for understanding the Bible... Do not think beyond the things which are written! Thank you for revealing this in Your word! For, how can we walk by the Spirit, if we don't know how to understand scripture?
Heavenly Father, teach us how to understand scripture. By Your Spirit, lead Your children to click this link: "Conditions for Understanding the Word"
You deserve all praise!
Amen.
Additional Information
Click any gold colored superscript (H) in the text for more information. A superscript like 4.3f will open subchapter 4.3. Click 4.3f. Then look down the page for 4.3f.
About this Devotional
You are reading the Walk by the Spirit Daily Devotional Series, which is subchapter 3.7 of the free, online book Fellowship with God in the Sixth Path. In the Walk by the Spirit Daily Devotional, readers learn how to how to walk by the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit is one way the New Testament describes fellowship with God, the subject of this online book.
Fellowship with God in the New Covenant is defined as, "a two way conversation in the spiritual realm, as we follow Christ, bearing His yoke in the world". The area below the white section on this page will reveal every word and phrase in that definition, from the scriptures.
Helpful Links to Other Pages in This Site
These Devotionals are Prayers
In the Walk by the Spirit Devotionals, instead of reading about God, you talk to God. That is because God has told us to pray "continually, always, at all times, in everything", and "without ceasing".4.12
Devotional Navigation
The arrow (>) at the top right of your screen takes you to the next devotional. The arrow (<) at the top left of each devotional will take you to the navigational control panel for the Walk by the Spirit Daily Devotionals.
Where Are You?
You are reading in subchapter 3.7 of chapter 3 of the free online book, Fellowship With God in the Sixth Path. Words from this book have been read in 190 countries and 50 languages. Navigation at the top and bottom of each page, allows you to open the table of contents for the book, visit the home page, ask questions or share your story.