Hey Nelson,
I want to thank you for a very spiritual post. Your words echo the truth in my heart perfectly. Many times in the past I have slaved over finding the "correct" way to say something only to give up in frustration because the words would not come. They came not, for a reason, for "I" was searching for them from the physical and not the spiritual; my physical being became frustrated while the spirit of truth merely laughed.
However, just like the verse you referenced:
Lu 21:14,15:
Settle, then, to your hearts, not to meditate beforehand to reply, for I will give to you a mouth and wisdom that all your opposers shall not be able to refute or resistI have learned to seek not with my eyes and ears but instead with my heart, and the words do come, just as was promised. For we must never forget that the truth needs us not for support; neither will it be weakened if it falls on deafend ears.
2Cr 13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. I particularly liked your inclusion of Romans 1:20, for as many will attest, this is one Sctripture that I speak of regularly. Possibly, because when God first openned my spiritual eyes and ears I began seeing and hearing Him everywhere.
Yet this should not surprise us, for we are told that:
Jer 29:13
...ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. I would also like to comment on searching for truth. When Jesus spoke of the woman who lost a peice of silver, he gave particular emphasize to her diligent search.
Luk 15:8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find [it]? Should we not similarly sweep all of Gods creation, including that which is seen and that which is not for God's truth. The woman did not wait for her peice of silver to return, and neither should we (IMHO) wait until we "read" another truth on bible-truths or this forum.
We are here only by the mercy of God. We have been given a truth that many are UNABLE to understand, they cannot hear it, because they know not what to listen for, nor can they see it, because likewise, they know not what to see. However, we have been granted a portion of the Spirit of Truth. Should we be satisfied and unconcerned, hoping that God to grant us more understanding when we need it?
I think not; for I believe our gift of truth should be treated in the same manner as the talents in the following parable.
Mat 25:14 ¶
For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Mat 25:15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Mat 25:16
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. Mat 25:17
And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. Mat 25:18
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Mat 25:19
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Mat 25:20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Mat 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Mat 25:22
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. Mat 25:23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Mat 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: Mat 25:25
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. Mat 25:26
His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Mat 25:27
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Mat 25:28
Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents. Mat 25:29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. I see the connection between the talents and the Truth very clearly. The Spirit of Truth can be found in the least likely of places. If it were easy to find, why then would we need to search? But there is a cavet here. We must not bury what we have learned like the servant who was given just one talent; no, rather we must use the truth that we have been given in order to gain truth. Is this not what Brother Ray himself is doing? Is it merely chance that Ray was the fortunate one amongst us? I think not?
We should not shut ourselves off from anyone or anything spiritually, "
Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God did manifest it to them, for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead--to their being inexcusable" (Ro 1:20)
This is not to say that we should believe everything, but rather we should search diligently for the truth and testing the spirits constantly, just as John instructed.
1Jo 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. These are just my thoughts as inspired by Nelsons post!
Comments are welcome,
Love to all in Christ,
Darren