TEACHING

Don Atkin

THE IMPORTANCE OF INSPIRATION

The early church did not have the New Testament. The inspired Holy Scriptures they read are now found in the Old Testament. The early believers also had the testimony and teaching of the apostles of the Lamb that added even more value, insight and understanding to those Scriptures. Light was added as they taught, “This is that.”

The early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching. Today’s church is still in need of “this is that” teaching which puts what was inspired years ago into New Covenant perspective and context. Some have said, “The truth that is concealed in the Old is revealed in the New.

Let’s begin with a phrase-by-phrase look at II Timothy 3:16.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

While this statement specifically refers to the Holy Scriptures contained in what we call the Old Testament, the truth of it extends to include the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament (which had not yet been assembled at the time of Paul’s writing). All Scripture that is now contained within the Canonical books of both Old and New Testaments is given by inspiration of God.

All that has been canonized was (and remains) inspired. There are also many other writings, paintings, sculptures, creative enterprises, vocations, etc., which are inspired by God. But not all other writings, etc., are inspired. The uniqueness of Scripture is its composite inspiration ~ ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

It is essential that we touch upon the inspiration of God that is concealed within the written words if we are to profit from Scripture. The very life of God is carried in the words that were penned by men under the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the capturing of that inspiration that quickens us (gives us life), and reveals the word of God within the pages of the Bible.

The context itself acknowledges that these Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through (the) faith which is in Christ Jesus (verse 15).

That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The faith which is in Christ Jesus justifies us, brings us to completion, and equips us for every good work. It is inspiration, not perspiration that brings us to receive Him and to submit to His loving lordship.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. – Colossians 2:9-17.

MANY NEVER GET BEYOND THE OUTER SHELL!

The Jews in Jesus’ day persecuted Him and sought to kill Him because they believed that He was violating God’s law (as they understood it). After sharing a lengthy discourse with them regarding the relationship between Father and Son, and the implications of life contained therein, He said:

The Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. – John 5:37-38.

The Jews were diligent in perspiration, but missed the inspiration. Jesus continued speaking to them:

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” – Verse 39.

Here is an illustration that I used in India more than ten years ago:

We were shaded from the brightness and heat of the sun by a thatched roof. The open sides granted a view of lush coconut palms. I pointed toward one. “Do you see the coconut tree? Do you see the coconuts? If we were to climb the tree, bring a coconut here and put it on this table, you would still not know the coconut!

“You must take the machete, remove the outer shell, drill a hole in it, and then drink the milk of it to taste and see that it is good. Then, you must open it up and eat the meat of the tender coconut before you really know the coconut.”

Even as it is possible to carry a coconut around all of our lives and never enjoy its fruit, so we can be Bible-toting, Bible quoting people who have missed the inspiration and refused the life-giving Spirit of Christ Jesus. The meat of the Word (Old and New Covenant) is found through the inspiration of the Spirit, not in the outer shell.

JESUS FUNCTIONED BY INSPIRATION

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. – Luke 4:1.

He defeated Satan on all points as the Holy Spirit furnished Him with what to speak in that hour (Matthew 10:19). Jesus was equipped with knowledge of the Scripture, which is profitable for doctrine, reproof and correction. The Spirit of His Father abiding in Him inspired the right words at the right time:

“Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written!”

This was not merely a proof text. Nor was it simply a memory verse. This was the Spirit giving life to words which were recorded in the Old Testament ~ for us ~ by inspiration! This was a way of life for the man Jesus, and is the Way of Life for the many sons whom God is bringing to glory. We are also the benefactors of the many examples of New Covenant revelation and application of God’s higher thoughts and ways.

A sick man, waiting for the waters of the pool to be stirred, had a divine encounter with Jesus. Following his healing, the man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them,

“My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” – John 5:15-19.

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” – Verse 30. 

“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” – John 7:17-19. 

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” – John 8:29. 

“Whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” – John 12:50b. 

JESUS FULFILLS THE LAW BY THE LIGHT OF INSPIRATION 

In His famous sermon on the mount (Matthew 5), Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Would it be too much of a stretch to say:

“You are the inspiration of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives inspiration to all who are in the house. Let your inspiration so spread among men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Verses 14-16.

It was in this context that Jesus clarified His mission:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” – Matthew 5:17.

He continued to clarify and detail His purpose with regard to the commandments and their relationship to the kingdom of heaven. He also ratcheted up our understanding of His expectations pertaining to the fulfilling of the Law and Prophets. He took us to another level, pointing out,

“Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:20.

How can this be? Surely, the scribes and Pharisees of His day perspired in their efforts to obey the Law and commandments that rest upon the surface of the Scripture! Surely, they did all that flesh and blood can do to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Perhaps Jesus was putting roadblocks in our normal reasoning process so that we would come to grips with the futility of leaning upon our own understanding. Jesus was being both corrective and provocative.

How do we then live? We live by inspiration. We will live by the guiding influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who led Him in life and ministry, and then raised

Him from the dead, gives life to our mortal bodies, and leads us into all truth.

This is so important! This changes our perspective on life, prayer, ministry, and leads us into the rest that has been prepared for Father’s children. This sets us free from the binding limitations of religion. This greatly affects how we look at the Bible.

Those who are called to live out His life in the context of His body will, sooner or later, get weary of trying to digest outer shells. We will become willing to climb trees, break open shells, drill for the milk of His inspired and inspiring word, and feast upon the meat of divine revelation.

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. – Revelation 21:3.

“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

“At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” – John 14:18-21

All Scripture is profitable. Because, the Word of the Lord ~ Jesus Christ (see John 1:1-5) ~ is contained therein for our discovery, inspiration and edification. We cannot lightly dismiss the Old Testament as irrelevant and without substance. We cannot pass over the emphasis that Jesus gave to the fulfilling of every jot and tittle of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-20).

We can consider all of God’s commandments, precepts and principles in the light of New Covenant revelation. Jesus is the substance. And, He lives within us to reveal Himself to us.

He lives within us, and will reveal Himself through us. We are the light of the world!

The One who inspired the writers of the Bible lives in us to inspire us and shed His light upon all that has been written. “This is that.” “This is that.” “This is that.”

As Lord of all, He reigns within us and privileges us to be an inspiration, a light to others, explaining to them, “This is that!”