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Paul, many times, taught on 3 levels, appealing (1) to the unsaved and to new babes in Christ, (2) to the more mature, and (3) also included perhaps even often spiritual insights not visible to many. And Paul wasn't the only one who taught this way.
On the first level, there is a message that if the spirit is willing will be interesting and informative to babes in the faith and even to the unsaved seeker. These are the teachings of moral and behavioral good, good for all. Often times it's not so much moral or informative, but historical. The second level may not even be noticed on the first go 'round, usually requiring the spark or support of other scripture or would-be coincidence and the putting of 2 and 2 together. Many never go beyond these first two levels--which of course is fine, for such is the kingdom of heaven esteemed by God according to the nature of children. And yet, also like children, this is where squabbles can and do often occur.
The third level then, is where one may spiritually commune with God--and with others...if either or both do not have one foot still firmly established in in level 2. It is here that the natural man cannot follow or take part, and yet it is somewhat allowed, causing many to backslide or u turn where one or both hold the greater message at the limited level of the natural man, hindering the spirit.
Many messages included in the third level of the scriptures seem at first to come, as was the case with the idea of our need to be born again, to Nicodemus--as crazy, or even against God and other scripture. When in reality (just as the idea of our need to be born again), it is simply the shock and awe of communing directly with God. Is that not what Nicodemus suffered from? Surely, it was.
The third spiritual message in scripture is usually one of illustration, a parable--and it's always there. Remember, every bit, every jot and tittle of scripture was inspired by God who is spirit...and, as Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Yes--it's always there--in every passage!
The following then is just an example. Yes, there are the moral and instructive, even debatable components of levels one and two--likely, you have heard many of them. But the third level, the spiritual message or illustration, you may not have ever heard. I will explain after the scripture below:
The image or illustration and the message that is included above is nothing new, but confirms other scripture, while at the same time shows the message to also be inspired by God and not just a story. This is how comparing scripture with scripture (or what someone may say about scripture) should look like. It should compare--even or especially if you never have compared it before, and it should also be reconcilable with all scripture--again, even if you have never looked at it that way before. Remember, this is the same thing that has been done throughout the scriptures, referring back to what is written--sometimes seemingly not even in context. For instance, Psalm 22 was first written in the context of David's own life and suffering, but then was brought forward to confirm the suffering and greater purpose of Christ in His life in His context, and not in David's. In other words, the precedence is God's--not ours, even against context as we may see it.
On the first level, there is a message that if the spirit is willing will be interesting and informative to babes in the faith and even to the unsaved seeker. These are the teachings of moral and behavioral good, good for all. Often times it's not so much moral or informative, but historical. The second level may not even be noticed on the first go 'round, usually requiring the spark or support of other scripture or would-be coincidence and the putting of 2 and 2 together. Many never go beyond these first two levels--which of course is fine, for such is the kingdom of heaven esteemed by God according to the nature of children. And yet, also like children, this is where squabbles can and do often occur.
The third level then, is where one may spiritually commune with God--and with others...if either or both do not have one foot still firmly established in in level 2. It is here that the natural man cannot follow or take part, and yet it is somewhat allowed, causing many to backslide or u turn where one or both hold the greater message at the limited level of the natural man, hindering the spirit.
Many messages included in the third level of the scriptures seem at first to come, as was the case with the idea of our need to be born again, to Nicodemus--as crazy, or even against God and other scripture. When in reality (just as the idea of our need to be born again), it is simply the shock and awe of communing directly with God. Is that not what Nicodemus suffered from? Surely, it was.
The third spiritual message in scripture is usually one of illustration, a parable--and it's always there. Remember, every bit, every jot and tittle of scripture was inspired by God who is spirit...and, as Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Yes--it's always there--in every passage!
The following then is just an example. Yes, there are the moral and instructive, even debatable components of levels one and two--likely, you have heard many of them. But the third level, the spiritual message or illustration, you may not have ever heard. I will explain after the scripture below:
Luke 5:17-25
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He (Jesus) was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
The image or illustration and the message that is included above is nothing new, but confirms other scripture, while at the same time shows the message to also be inspired by God and not just a story. This is how comparing scripture with scripture (or what someone may say about scripture) should look like. It should compare--even or especially if you never have compared it before, and it should also be reconcilable with all scripture--again, even if you have never looked at it that way before. Remember, this is the same thing that has been done throughout the scriptures, referring back to what is written--sometimes seemingly not even in context. For instance, Psalm 22 was first written in the context of David's own life and suffering, but then was brought forward to confirm the suffering and greater purpose of Christ in His life in His context, and not in David's. In other words, the precedence is God's--not ours, even against context as we may see it.
The illustration parable and message of Luke 5:17-25 then is set in the context of, as it is written "Pharisees and teachers of the law" regarding "Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem" and "the power of the Lord was present to heal them." In other words, the context on levels one and two might only appear at first to be the local healing and miracles of Jesus, when in the greater spiritual reality and context of God encompasses "Galilee" representing the gentiles, "Judea, and Jerusalem" or Judah and Israel--in other words--everyone!
The story goes on to describe the friends of a paralyzed man lowering him down through the roof to be physically healed by Jesus. To which Jesus' first response was to forgive the man's sins. Which was an even greater act than physically healing him, but was taken by the "Pharisees and teachers of the law" as "blaspheme"--in the typical shock and awe response. Jesus (unbeknownst to levels one and perhaps two) then further clarifies the context to not only be that of the miracle of physical healing, but also the greater context of salvation...again, regarding--not just the paralyzed man--but everyone.
But there's more. Who helped the man who needed healing and his sins forgiven? His friends. A moral story? Certainly--who wouldn't want friends like that?! But consider also where they in came from--how did they come? They opened a way from above. Thus, the man's help not only came from above--but his friends helped deliver him to Jesus and his salvation! What are the implications--who alone has come from above? The message confirms that the body of Christ is implemented in the works of salvation. In other words, when Paul claimed, "for me, to live is Christ". some surely balked at his claim as if he were saying that he himself was Christ. But no, he (as is the case with the paralyzed man's friends) it simply means that he was a party to the works of Christ leading to the salvation of many--as can also be true of us as well--confirming a whole host of other scriptures.
The spiritual message of which is, that if we are inspired by God to act upon our faith, even we can become the help from above in the greater works of Christ unto the salvation of every nation and people. And yet without any such consideration, it's just a little story of Jesus healing and saving one man in one little part of the world on one particular day. Except that it is God who determines the actual context...not men.
