“Grasp of Truth is valuable training of the mind; but childlike reach of the heart will change a life…” JCH
“…For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”- Romans 8:16 (NLT)
Recently I learned about a man named Alan Rothenberg. He was president of the United States Soccer Federation during the 1994 World Cup – the premier world championship for the best teams on the planet. Alan was instrumental in bringing this major, foreign event to the USA – a monumental and seemingly far-fetched endeavor, although he had no prior experience with soccer whatsoever. This was an accomplishment at the time he never thought possible.
Alan was recently featured on a news program I watched. Early in the interview, he related that before he ever achieved the unimaginable heights of his career, he definitely committed himself to learning about the sport, culture and its alluring appeal. For days that turned into years, he diligently developed his understanding of every aspect of this sport that was barely beginning to gain traction in the United States. He was stretched and challenged.
But he shared with the interviewer that he felt there must be something more. It was clear to this man that the real purpose of his new storehouse of knowledge – indeed an intellectual prowess – did not lie in his great grasp (understanding) itself. No, he knew there had to be something far greater in store for him.
Then there was a remarkable turning point in the interview. I sensed a shift in his countenance. A childlike joy emanated from him as he began to speak about his newfound passion. I didn’t see a man self-absorbed with his unmatched grasp of the professional soccer world. He smiled warmly as he reflected on the years of great purpose. At the conclusion of the interview segment he shared what inspired him to reach heights he never imagined, far beyond any intellectual grasp. He quoted a 19th century English poet, Robert Browning.
Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for? – Robert Browning, 1812-1889
Alan achieved something far beyond his or anyone’s belief. Indeed, Alan’s reach had exceeded his grasp.
That evening as I watched this broadcast, those two words – grasp and reach – captured me. His transformation inspired me. What had he discovered in those two simple words from a dead poet’s verse? Why were they so powerful for Alan Rothenberg, and how could they impact my faith in the same way?
grasp
In my own life, a desire for deeper Biblical grasp has grown. Like Alan Rothenberg building his foundation of vast knowledge about the world of professional soccer, I’ve been gaining a much better understanding of the Word of God, which I once knew so little about. Admittedly my Bible knowledge isn’t vast! Even so, as days have turned into years, God, in His grace, is guiding me to a stronger foundation.
Yet, along the way I’m coming to the realization that there’s something more, that grasp is not where the ultimate power lies, as was also true for Mr. Rothenberg. Could it be that with every strong foundation, the ultimate purpose is for something uplifting and transformational to be built upon it? Is there a reach to exceed our grasp?
I’m more convinced than ever that the explosive, uplifting and transformational spiritual power of the Word may lie dormant and silent even as you and I – “all grown up” believers – pursue a foundation, a stronger grasp. Why is this? Let’s look at a Biblical passage to illustrate how this can happen.
The religious leaders in the days of Jesus were steeped in their grasp of the ancient Hebrew Biblical writings. Surprisingly though, the Gospel of John reports that Jesus challenged and even rebuked these “men of God” because they intellectually knew the scriptures backwards and forwards while missing Jesus! These powerful religious figures possessed great understanding of the ancient Word, yet spiritually they were dead.
“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.” – John 5:39-40 (The Message)
Dwell on that rebuke for a moment. This was Jesus – God in flesh – confronting the religious authorities, these men that possessed unsurpassed command of the scriptures! There are a few revealing words in this harsh rebuke that unlock a truth we can apply in our own pursuit. Do you see those specific words of Jesus that cut to the heart of the matter?
What can begin as a hunger to grasp the Scripture – “heads in your Bibles” – can easily become a source of pride, legalism and theological debate, where our hearts aren’t free – “aren’t willing to receive” the transformational communion with the Spirit of Christ, alive within the very words we’re reading, studying and analyzing. All the while, He waits, and whispers, and draws us, His children. Perhaps in our great spiritual maturity sometimes we forget what must always exceed our impressive grasp.
In fact, the Holy Spirit Himself reminds us to have open hearts to receive from Him.
“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts…” – Hebrews 3:15 (NLT)
reach
With the backdrop of Christ’s harsh admonition of the religious leaders, let’s now read about the transformational experience of two disciples who had also encountered Jesus. While they walked with him along a dusty road, the Master Teacher explained the scriptures to them, and the followers no doubt earnestly listened and received the teaching with open hearts.
They later reflected on this exchange in a way that exceeded human grasp. When reading this entire passage (as there’s much more to the encounter) I didn’t sense any religious pride or legalism in the dialogue. Just dwell on the passion in the words of these two ordinary men that experienced something we so desperately need every day – a childlike dependence on the One the scriptures reveal.
Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” – Luke 24:32 (NIV)
This is where I’ve become unsettled in my walk – and it’s a good thing. The Spirit of Christ, in communion with my own spirit, is longing to take me beyond grasp alone. He’s always ready and waiting to open up the scriptures to me, His child, in a way that will illuminate the Truth as a fire within my soul. Just as with those two disciples on the road, He’s ready to ignite a burning passion that leads to greater purpose, heavenly promise and power mighty in God to defeat the sin and hardness of my heart.
In Scripture this is what it means to reach with an open heart, to live with a childlike faith, to experience the divine nature, to live fruitfully, to be free indeed. This is the life to which we as believers are called. Only as His children can we become submissive and utterly dependent upon Him, and not our own prideful grasp of His Word. With every word we read, our own spirits are made to be possessed by His Spirit, with hearts reaching in wonder and expectation, as a child of the Father.
It can be said that faith is the transmission of what God has said from the heart of the believer—spiritually interpreted through the connection to the spirit—through the soul, ultimately revealed in the outward actions of the individual (the body). The believer is literally possessed by God. His spirit is united with the Holy Spirit. If he yields to God’s Spirit, he can be controlled by God. This is what God wants for His church. He wants us to be controlled by His Spirit so that Jesus Christ can live through us. – Joshua S. Hall, www.truevinelife.com
Finally, you may recall one more interchange: the dramatic encounter between Jesus and the Apostle Paul. One of the most influential men in all of New Testament history, Paul first encountered Jesus quite suddenly on the Damascus Road when he was first saved. Yet years later he would pen the truth that was revealed and activated in him. In every fiber of his being he continued for the rest of his life with a heart reaching for more. This posture became his vision, his passion. He was literally transformed from a “man of God” among the brightest stars of the religious elite, to a child of God, reaching for His Father.
“… I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own… I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them.” – (emphasis mine) Scripture excerpts above taken from Philippians, chapter 3, The Passion Translation (TPT)
More from Joshua S. Hall at www.truevinelife.com:
https://www.truevinelife.com/growthinchrist/the-architecture-of-man-part-2-the-spirit-of-man
Related articles from goodbye2hello.com:
