The Process Of Inspiration
Concerning the verbal inspiration of the Bible, Paul Enns writes:
Peter . . . acknowledges his belief in verbal inspiration inasmuch as it was the Holy Spirit who guided the writers of Scripture in their selection of words. This truth could be illustrated by a man who goes to the department store in a shopping center. Because he is in a hurry to get to the second floor he walks up the escalator. Although he is walking, the escalator is carrying him along, bringing him to the second floor.
Mr. Enns concludes:
Similarly, although the writers of Scripture penned the words according to their educational abilities and their own distinctive styles, the Holy Spirit was carrying them along, ensuring the accuracy of all they were writing.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV).
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21, NKJV).
Missed It By 'That' Much
Different directional compasses bear different markings. Some compasses are marked off to display a full 360 degrees, and some are marked in gradations of 20 degrees. Some also display a "declination." The declination is a means of showing the difference between magnetic north and true north.
Have you ever been on a cruise ship out in the middle of the ocean and wondered how in the world the captain and crew knew which way to go? We know they use, among many navigational tools, a compass, but how does it work?
If you've ever looked at a compass, you know that there are hundreds of little hash marks — 360 to be exact — that mark off each separate degree of direction.
When a captain sets course, they know exactly to which little degree mark they need to set the compass. As long as they stay on that course, they will reach their destination.
But what would happen if someone moved the compass one little tiny degree to the left? At first it would look like you were still going in the same direction, on course for your destination. But in reality, as the vessel proceeded en route, the ship would be moving ever so slightly 1° away from the original course.
Before you know it, that ship would be miles away from its planned destination, all because it was one little tiny degree off course.
It is the same way in our spiritual experience ...
We set the course for our life, our day, our relationships, our work experience, etc., with the intention of focusing on Jesus, but we are fighting an enemy who wants to get us off course.
Of course our enemy — ol' Beezlebub — knows we won't likely make a 180° turn away from God, or even a 45° move away from Him. But if he can get us to compromise just one little degree, all he need do is just be patient.
While we think we are right on course, slowly but surely, we drift, until one day we wake up and wonder how in the world we got so far from the Lord's will for our lives.
We are wise to keep checking the compass. Keep charting our course in alignment with His will and His word.
Psalms 119:1-8 (MSG):
1 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
2 You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.
3 That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.
4 You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.
5 Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set;
6 Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.
7 I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
8 I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Seasoned Talk
There are a lot of "seasoning salts," but there is only one "Seasoned Salt": Lawry’s!
The history of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt goes back over 80 yrs to 1938 when the famous restaurant, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, opened in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Lawrence Frank, the inventor, developed the blend initially for prime rib, but his family was pleased to find that the salt didn’t only season prime rib to perfection, but enhanced the taste of many other foods as well. The blend contains salt, sugar, paprika, turmeric, onion, and garlic.
Once the blend was perfected, they put Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on the table right next to the salt and pepper. The new seasoning was so popular that guests took to stealing it and bringing it home with them. People just couldn't get enough of this stuff.
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6, NIV).
Are the words we speak, especially in our witnessing, so appealing that others just can't get enough? Are others so blessed by their interactions with us that they just keep coming back for more? Or do our words repulse and repel others, like spoiled milk, or maybe just leave them "meh" and unchallenged, like tasteless porridge?
The Apostle Paul thought our words should be well seasoned! As one commentator put it, "our words should be tasty and delightful," having a positive influence on all who hear them, that they might even keep coming back for more!
This can only come from preparation. Just as the folks at Lawry's worked hard to perfect their blend of spices, we must work to prepare ourselves to be ready to share the Gospel message in a way that challenges and entices the hearer. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).
As we share God's Word with a spiritually hungry world, let's challenge them, as did the Psalmist, saying, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).