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As John
Gavazzoni says, "Truth (revelation) creates intellectual tension."
During our
journey in Christ, our minds are continually being renewed (Rom. 12:2).
This process, however, is not pleasant. When God reveals Himself to us
in a deeper dimension, it will not fit into the "box" we have understood
before. Therefore, the "intellectual tension."
The whole
process of God revealing Himself to us is like a compost heap.
Garbage is piled up in a heap. It sits there and heats up. It stinks.
Time passes. . . . sometimes a loooonnng time passes. The garbage
gradually decomposes - changes - into rich soil which can then be used
to grow stuff - good stuff: flowers, veggies, fruit, trees, bushes. . .
Get the picture? That's us!
The garbage is
The Lie which is made of many lies - the multi facets of The Lie. When
we are faced with Truth (revelation: an increased understanding of Who
God Is), we are also faced with The Lie (or rather, a portion(s) of The
Lie to which we are adhering/believing). And we struggle (the
intellectual tension), and it's unpleasant (stinky/hot), and we often
resist Truth because it doesn't fit - it seems wrong and we don't want
to be deceived. We might even reject the person(s) who presented the
message. We might even consider them heretics. We might cease
fellowshipping with them. The process is messy, difficult, ugly,
contrary to all that's comfortable to us. We don't like it.
Then one day we
wake up and we KNOW. We did nothing to KNOW; we just KNOW. The
decomposition is complete and the garbage is transformed into rich soil
from which (Who) we grow. We have been transformed from glory
to glory. Our minds have been renewed. We see the The
Lie for what it is - The Lie - and embrace The Truth -- all by God's
initiative and empowerment/grace. Note that the garbage (The Lie) was
not discarded BUT TRANSFORMED. God wastes nothing. God is always going
from glory to glory. For the entire process is OF HIM,
THROUGH HIM, & TO HIM.
As we mature in
this process, we resist the transformation less and less. However,
there is still that "intellectual tension" because the revelation
(Truth) is new and we don't understand because it defies what we
believed before. We don't want to be deceived, so we proceed
cautiously. We badger the messenger with questions. We try to figure
it out. We get frustrated because we can't figure it out. We read, we
discuss, we ponder. It seems all to no avail. Then one day, we wake up
and KNOW.
So, whether we
resist or not, there is still a process and it's stinky, hot, and
messy. I have found that God uses many means by which to reveal
Himself. Sometimes the jewel of truth is surrounded by chaff.
Oftentimes I have swallowed the entire message - hook, line and sinker -
only to have to gag it up sooner or later. During this time I have
mistaken the chaff for the truth, I have sometimes preached the chaff.
But eventually - eventually - the chaff is transformed and the jewel -
revelation - is discovered.
Once revelation
is KNOWN and we walk in Christ in this revelation, we see ALL through
the lense or filter of that revelation. This cannot be avoided. All
scripture, all of life is seen through this filter. It
effects everything, including your relationships.
As I look back
on my life, I see that THIS INCREASE in my life (this process of
revelation) expands my understanding of Who God Is - which also means
understanding His purpose, which also means His love in/as/through me is
increased. I see Him in ALL, and hence, I can love. I can see through
His eyes and see the real person behind the mask/sin/lie. Is my vision
perfectly clear now? No, but I am journeying forward in Christ. . . .
and the glass is becoming clearer with each revelation.
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