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Your King Has Come - Indelible Grace
In the last two posts I have asked whether or not God speaks outside of the Bible, and whether or not He speaks through prayer. There have been some interesting comments, to say the least, with indications from some that God has actually spoken to them, but no one is quite sure how and in what medium. As I expected from the replies from those who believe God does still speak today – and I am still waiting and hoping to get some additional responses from some questions I asked some of those commenters – no one can really provide any concrete explanation of how this God-speak works. It all seems quite intangible, and not easy to get a hold of by those who say it has happened to them. What troubles me about this is that, if we could ask any of the Bible characters who were spoken to by God, I have no doubt that they would not be so wishy-washy if we were to ask them how God spoke to them.
Saying that God still speaks today seems to be an all-inclusive phrase that is used like a giant umbrella to include anything from a slight impression or feeling about something to an almost discernable audible voice to an actual voice heard with the ears. And yet, no one knows exactly how it happened when it happened to them. It is this kind of subjective, non-concrete, undiscernable, unclassifiable personal experience that causes me to doubt it so strongly. That and the fact that I can find no biblical examples of what people have described here and elsewhere as God speaking. I must agree with ThirstyDavid’s comments in this thread when he said,
Why do people expect to hear God’s voice? Do they have such a low view of Scripture and of the Holy Spirit that indwells them that they need to be grabbed by the ear and shaken in order to have communion with God and know his will?
Now, I know that probably none of those reading this (or who commented) who believe God still speaks would ever say something like Scripture is not sufficient. In fact, those of you on the God speaks side are probably a little angry right now, or at least put off, that someone would question your belief in the sufficiency of God’s Holy Word. I know that you probably wouldn’t say it out loud or on purpose. But, I must admit, that is perhaps the first thing I think of myself when I hear someone talk about how they believe God still speaks, and speaks to them personally even today. The first thing I want to ask is, “Isn’t the Bible enough for you?” Because the indication of having to have God speak directly to you is that what He has already said is not sufficient for you to be able to live on this earth. Is that true? Can you live this life without hearing from God except from what He has already said through the men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit to write what they did? That is my direct question to you.
Is the Bible sufficiently adequate to equip you in order to live your life on this earth?
Either it is or it isn’t. Read this statement about God’s Word and see if you agree or disagree:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Do you agree? Case closed. There’s no need for God to speak any longer. Do you disagree? Well then, we have a whole other issue to deal with now concerning your view of Scripture and its apparent lack of sufficiency.
Finally, Scripture also addresses this issue of whether God still speaks today, and it is found in the letter to the Hebrews. The author of this letter writes in his introduction:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. – Heb. 1:1-2
Bob DeWaay comments on this passage with these thoughts:
After Jesus shed His blood on the cross to avert God’s wrath against sin for all who believe, He was raised on the third day and bodily appeared to many witnesses. He, after giving further teachings to His disciples, bodily ascended into heaven. The New Testament claims that Jesus fulfilled Psalm 110 and sits in authority at the right hand of God. What we have are His authoritative words that are contained in the Bible.
The Bible claims that God spoke through Jesus in full and final revelation: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Hebrews 1:1, 2). That “God has spoken” uniquely and authoritatively through Christ is a bedrock Christian claim. This passage affirms the authority of the Old Testament (God spoke to the fathers in the prophets) and New Testament (God spoke to us in His Son).
I put to you that, if what has been spoken through Jesus is not sufficient, then yes…God must still speak to his children today. But that has serious implications, the first and foremost being that Scripture is therefore not enough. If God must still speak, then what He said in the Bible is not profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, and therefore does not result in the man of God being competent, equipped for every good work. The result of Scripture- according to Paul – is that the man of God becomes competent and equipped for every good work. According to Paul, what else is needed to live the Christian life? If Scripture is weakened (and it is if God still has to speak), then it is weak. If it is weak, then the gospel contained therein is therefore good for nothing, and contains not the power of God unto salvation.
If God must still speak today, Scripture is no longer sufficient. Do you really believe that? You say no, and I would like to believe you, but putting forth this notion that God speaks to you (in whatever way, shape or form whether it be an impression, leading, feeling or voice) does nothing but denigrate the very Word of God. Trying to hear from God apart from the Bible is an exercise in futility. Why not instead devote your time and effort and energy to studying and memorizing and understanding God’s revealed will? I promise, if you will do that, you will be competent, and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
