The Divine Complement

22/9/2021

My morning reading included this piece from Oswald Chambers’ ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’. It really spoke to me, although I cannot say exactly why that should be so: it contains no amazing new revelation, yet it is revelatory; it does not put the quoted scripture verses in a new light, and yet it does — for me at least. I hope it blesses you today also …

Matthew 5:17-20

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV]

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18 KJV).

The Bible is a universe of revelation facts, not known to unregenerated common sense, and the only exegete of these words is the Holy Spirit. Understanding comes only to the degree of the individual’s reception, recognition, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Just as facts in the natural world have to be accepted, so facts in the biblical world of God’s will have to be accepted. Our explanation of the facts may be more or less open to dispute. But we can never alter the facts. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself in the interest of grace. Only as we are the recipients of the grace of God will the Bible be opened for us. This Bible is not a book containing communications about God; it is God’s giving of himself, in the limitation of words, in the interests of grace. The Bible is not a fairy tale to beguile us for a few moments from the sordid realities of life in the natural world. It is the divine complement of the laws of nature, conscience, and humanity.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord Jesus, Your Word is “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

[from ‘Devotions For A Deeper Life’ by Oswald Chambers]

To be a believer in Jesus Christ means realising that what Jesus said to Thomas is true: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus is not the road we leave behind as we travel, but the Way itself. By believing, we enter into that rest of peace, holiness, and eternal life because we are abiding in Him.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’ by Oswald Chambers]