by Ronald B. Webb, Jr.
Experiencing God is not hearing a new story but it is interacting with the retelling of the same story. This is an important aspect of spiritual development. Unfortunately, many have been convinced that the pursuit of the believer is to try to discover a new revelation or to hear a “fresh word”. That leads some to twist and to contort scriptures so they can squeeze a new insight from a passage of scripture. It is as though there is an abandonment of the principle espoused by Solomon that “there is no new thing under the sun”. Much time and energy are expended searching for something new when there is a treasure of wisdom in that which is already known.
So one may struggle to find meaning and purpose in constantly reviewing and relearning the same statements and the same stories. One may wonder how a person can expect to grow or to change if the same information is reviewed time and time again. We should take a moment to consider how a believer learns biblical principles. Some see Christian development as linear in that one gradually moves in a steady progression from one level of understanding to another. Others propose that growth is circular in that a person is in a cycle of being exposed to the same principles over and over again.
As opposed to the linear and circular views, our development is a circular progression. This form of progress is more like a metal spring or a stretched-out slinky. We revisit the same concepts and principles but we approach each one with a new perspective based on a new set of experiences. It is likened to a road that winds its way around a mountain from the base of the mountain to its peak. As the traveler traces the path up and around the mountain, they are constantly circling back to the same side of the mountain, but with each pass they are higher than the last time. And so it is with the life journey of a Christian, there is a revisiting of the same information, but each time the interaction is different, and hopefully better, than the last.
As a personal example allow me to share my gradual shift in understanding the wisdom of the story of Abraham and Isaac as recounted in the 22nd chapter of the book of Genesis. In this passage, Abraham is instructed to take his son of promise, Isaac, to a mountain and to offer him as a sacrifice. There is much that could be discussed about God’s unusual request and Abraham’s response, but let’s focus on how my interpretation of God’s request and Abraham’s response has changed over the years.
In my 20s, my view of this passage was transactional. My focus was on verse 13 which states, “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns”. My understanding was that God provided a ram because Abraham obeyed God in the face of some very unusual circumstances. I saw God as one who does good things for those who do good things. My explanation of the story was that God did a moral exchange, or transaction, with Abraham because he passed the test and did the unthinkable. At that point in my life, my perspective was limited to seeing the motive for doing right as a way to experience positive results and to avoid evil outcomes.
In my 30s, my view of Genesis 22 had changed from transactional to informational. By the time I had reached the age of 30 years old, I had fathered three children and had started my ministry as a pastor. I also had experienced the deaths of loved ones and had supported my wife through a serious illness. By this time I had seen with my own eyes what God can do in the toughest of circumstances, and I had more information about God’s character and attributes. In this phase of life my focus was on Genesis 22: 8 which reads, “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” I saw Abraham’s actions being based on what he knew about God rather than expecting a reward for doing a good deed.
I was indeed climbing the mountain of revelation as my perspective on Genesis 22 was changing, but I still had more elevation to gain. My perspective on this passage changed again as I sojourned through my 40s and experienced the loss of my father, a divorce, a second marriage, and a blended family. At this point in my life, my experience with the story of Abraham had shifted from informational to transformational. By this time, I came to understand that doing what is right is not based on an expected outcome or what one knows God can do: one does what is right simply because it is the right thing to do. My focus shifted to verse 5 which says, “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” Abraham had been transformed to believe that somehow, someway, even if it meant resurrection of his dead son, that he AND his son would return to the others. Abraham was not basing his actions on expected results or what he thought God would do; his actions were based on who God is and who he had become.
As one looks back on my journey up the mountain of revelation of Genesis 22, it is plain to see that the scripture did not change, but the revealing of Godly principles changed as growth occurred and new life experiences were encountered. Scaling this mountain is a challenge each follower of Christ must pursue if they desire to grow to become mature Christians. New scriptures, new ideas and new principles are not needed; what is necessary is a willingness to revisit and to rediscover God’s Word with the objective of gaining a new perspective.
There are recurring themes found in both the Old and New Testaments: love, redemption, faith, salvation, forgiveness, mercy, humility, service, selflessness, and others. These themes are constant and are sufficient for leading one on the path of righteousness and to the right relationship with God. Examining the same ideas and principles may seem repetitive and even mundane, but it behooves one to embrace joyfully and willingly each opportunity to climb the mountain of revelation. So, let’s put on our hiking boots, grab our canteens and climb this mountain together. I will see you at the top!
To learn more about St. John ‘A’, click here.
