The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day" (Prov. 4:18).

But I LIKE my BOX!

Living inside theological boxes seems safe to some people. They accept the enlightenment of the founders of their denomination, but now want to hold fast to that previous enlightenment and say "NO MORE REVELATION." What an interesting paradox. They don't mind enlightenment from years ago, but are opposed to those bringing enlightenment today, and consider them heretics.

I, too, used to feel my security was in my theological box. However in journaling the Lord spoke to me and said, "Mark, your security is NOT in your theology. Your theology is yesterday's revelation codified. I have not called you to live in that. I have called you to a walk with Me along the path of life and I desire to give revelation daily as we walk and talk. Your security is in Me, in the working of My Spirit to lead you into all truth, and in the spiritual counselors whom I give you to walk with you along this road of enlightenment. So do not look to your theological box. I have not called you to live in a box. I have called you to walk daily with Me, and as you do, you will receive ever greater enlightenment on the highway of holiness!"

Remember God’s original design - daily walks in a garden

  1. God’s original intent was intimate daily communion with Him. That has never changed (Gen. 2:7; 3:8; Jn. 20:22).
  2. We are created in God’s image and are to rule and reign with Him over His creation (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8:4-6).
  3. We are led along God's highway of holiness by the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts (Rom. 8:14).
  4. We can overcome the limitations of our minds by living by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

Jesus, the Second Adam, restored us to daily walks and talks with God (communion with God)

  1. Jesus modeled God’s original intent, living in intimacy with the Father, doing nothing of His own initiative, but only what He heard and saw His Father doing (Jn. 5:19,20,30; 8:26-38).
  2. We live by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Eph. 5:18) and manifest His fruit and power (Gal. 5:22-25; 1 Cor. 12:7-11). The Spirit anoints us to fulfill the Great Commission to disciple all nations (Matt. 28:19; Gal. 5:25).

It is the Spirit who leads us into truth

  • But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (Jn. 16:13-14).
  • We trust the Holy Spirit within each person to confirm if the teaching is true: These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him (1 Jn. 2:26-27).
  • Jesus had this to say to those who thought they were going to receive life through a book: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (Jn. 5:39-40). Jesus is saying: Come back to the Garden of Eden and have a living encounter with Me! Note Jesus didn’t say come to a linguist; He said come to ME!
  • Paul makes a point to say he was not taught by man, but rather taught by the Spirit (Gal. 1:11-18).
  • The disciples on the Emmaus Road were in a similar situation. They knew the Old Testament prophecies but did not have revelation concerning them until Jesus opened the Scriptures to them, and their hearts burned with the truth (Lk. 24:13-35).

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."  (Jer. 29:13)

"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."  (Jn. 14:21)

Journaling about literal interpretation versus revelation insight

 Lord, I recall that John the Baptist said he was NOT Elijah (Jn. 1:21), but then you said, “Elijah already came and they did to him what they wanted” (Matt. 17:12).

You are right, Mark. This is an example of literal meaning versus spiritual insight. Literally, John was NOT Elijah, but he did come in the spirit and power of Elijah so in a revelatory sense, I could say John WAS Elijah. Both are true. It simply depends on if you want to be a literalist or see with the eyes of your heart and receive revelation and understanding. I chose to see with the eyes of my heart and see revelation. You are to do the same.

Journaling application

  1. Lord, do I prefer theological boxes over ongoing daily communion with You?
  2. What would make me more comfortable living out of Your voice rather than living out of my theology?
  3. Do I fear being called a heretic? If so, what would You say to address this fear?

It’s Not Heresy! It’s Enlightenment! (Part 7 of unfolding series, with the following blogs being posted over the next few weeks)

  1. What Is a Heretic? Have I Been One? Who Defines Misinformation?
  2. Shall We Remove the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"?
  3. What Is the Key Trait of a False Teacher?
  4. What Is the Key Trait of a True Teacher?
  5. God’s Highway of Holiness Is SAFE
  6. Roadblocks Removed on His Highway of Holiness
  7. As I Travel God’s Highway, Revelation Shines Ever More Brightly
  8. A New Day Dawns as the Morning Star ARISES in Our Hearts
  9. Using e-Sword to Explore the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"