Treasure in Earthen Vessels

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

Is there any process of preparation to propitiate an ambience of Revelation?

Recently, as I was preparing material for a class on the spiritual character of the calling to ministry, and the degree of revelation that the person called by God needs to have in order to be effective as a dispenser of God’s mysteries, I came to think that there is a process of prior preparation for exposure to the moment of Revelation. I commented on my restlessness with another ministry and I had the answer that when God decides to reveal his mysteries, the person has no need, nor time, to prepare, God does it in the decision of his Sovereignty and the person receives it, and transmits it.

For the time being I abandoned the idea, for I understood that the answer was forceful and based on the Word: Not of works, lest any man should boast,[1] as the Apostle Paul wrote to the community of Ephesus.

However, as the days passed, the idea still continued, and although I understood that God’s man and woman could do nothing to cause God to reveal His mysteries to them, I still wondered what Abraham did to be chosen from among so many similar to him so that God would entrust him with such a great project of restoration; what made Jacob loved by God above Esau; in general terms, what did the men and women of the past do, chosen by God so that He would entrust their mysteries to them, a simple choice without further qualification requirement?

In the process I learned that God does not reveal to anyone without first having confirmed for Himself that to whom He will reveal His mysteries he is worthy to receive them, and that he is willing to live according to them.

God examines to determine the nobility and dignity of those who will inherit his mysteries; the Scriptures confirm this:

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. Judges 7:4

The prophet Hosea proposed it in the following way,

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. Hosea 2:14

All are pre-candidates, so that no one can complain that God is a respecter of persons, but the choice is according to dignity, the dignity they show towards the things of God. The chosen were considered and proved worthy of such a distinction. If we verify in the New Testament Scriptures, even Jesus Himself was subjected to the same process,

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Mathew 4:1 (Luke 4:1)

Let’s review the revelations deposited in Abraham. Jesus brought to light a mystery that if Jesus had not told it there would never have been a way to know. Thousands of years before the birth of Jesus, Abraham saw Jesus, and he rejoiced;

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. John 8:56

How did he achieve such openness to Revelation? To answer this question we need to ask ourselves another question: When did this moment of Revelation occur? Before or after having almost sacrificed Isaac?

Abraham was approved in obedience, repeatedly submitted to trials. Let’s see it. He was first processed into his willingness to leave the land that meant security for him,

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Genesis 12:1

Then, already in the land of Canaan, Abraham was tried in his capacity to believe God even above his procreative disability,

And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. ⁵And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. ⁶And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:4-6

Abraham is subjected to an even more painful trial of obedience when he is required to expel his son Ishmael,

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. ¹¹And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. ¹²And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Genesis 21:10-12

But the greatest trial of obedience was when Abraham was required by God to sacrifice his son Isaac, the son of promise,

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Genesis 22:2

The evidences of the same accounts point to the fact that the moments of Abraham’s Revelation were after having attended this last trial of faith. The trial of faith actually consisted of a trial of dignity. Abraham was found worthy to receive God’s Revelations.

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Genesis 22:12

The apostle Paul writing about this fact explained:

…Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness… Romans 1:3

Such an attribution of righteousness was considered before God as an attribution of dignity, so that it might be constituted as the spiritual father of a new generation of men and women worthy of receiving Revelation of the mysteries of God,

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: Romans 4:11

This same process was highlighted by David, who although under the mantle of the rigor of the Law, he himself enjoyed the benefits of the Grace of Jesus,

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ⁶Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, ⁷Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Romans 4:5-8

So, there is a process of preparation for exposure to Revelation, but it is not man-made, on the contrary, it is a process developed by God to unveil how worthy a person is to contain His mysteries. Man can do nothing to ensure that God will entrust His Revelation to him. In this whole process we can prove the presence of the mystery of God’s love.

The next principle I learned is that no matter how worthy a person may be before God to receive and live according to God’s Revelation, not everyone fully develops the benefits of Revelation; some find it harder than others to establish them.

And this is not because God chooses to do so, but because each one’s own processes determine it. The parable of the sower confirms this approach.

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Mathew 13:8

If it is the same soil, and the same seed, how is it possible that the results are different?

The parables of the workers to whom the master gives his goods, the parable of the talents,[2] and the parable of the pounds,[3] parables with the same teaching theme of the parable of the sower, reveal that the difference in results is due to the several ability of each one; that is, according to the diaphanous vision of each one to understand the work they do.

This is evident in the answer that the servants present to their master in both parables. The wicked and slothful servant in the parable of the talents responds,

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: ²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Mathew 25:24-25

So it is with the wicked servant in the parable of the pounds,

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: ²¹For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. Luke 19:20-21

In both parables the same scheme is presented: all prequalified to execute a special operation, but the results of each one are based on the ability of each one to develop the vision of another and work it as his own. Part of the teaching is the participation of the wicked servant, his negligence is highlighted to illustrate how his failure was due to a hindered view of the situation, which made him unable to react with sanity and at least give the money to the bankers.

The benefits of Revelation are not fully developed by all, and not because God so decides, but because of one’s own processes. Each one will produce and establish according to what has been revealed, as long as he can decontaminate the following processes:

• The vision about the circumstances

Learning to see as God sees and to stop seeing as man is accustomed to seeing things was the central theme of the doctrine of perfection preached by the apostles in the early years of the founding of the church. The theme was never an optional benefit to improve discernment or Christian judgment, but quite the contrary, it became the work of perfection of the new birth in Jesus. The cause of stagnation or inaction in the life of faith, even ministerial, is precisely the lack of an adequate vision,

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35

Samuel was affected when the people asked for a king, and it was because he saw that the people’s request meant rejection of his prophetic leadership,

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. ⁷ And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. I Samuel 8:6-7

The way of seeing things can bring light or darkness into one’s life,

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. ²³But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Mathew  6:22-23

The version presented by the writer of Luke’s gospel highlights the fact that many people live at the expense of a distorted view of God’s work,

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. ³⁵Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. ³⁶If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:34-36

Sin entered precisely through sight,

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:6

Paul sees the importance of a correct vision, it can make the difference between a deformed spiritual construction, even aposttate.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 1^st. Corinthians 3:10

• Each person’s way of thinking and feeling

The way of thinking and the way of feeling are the part of the personality of the human being most susceptible of suffering changes of posture, to such an extent that the changes can occur in short periods of time even without the presence of a period of transition. This of course, under the effects of the pressure of circumstances on the person. Under optimal conditions someone’s thought and feeling can remain unchanged.

But, in the face of the pressure of circumstances that threaten the comfort of someone’s environment, changes in the person’s posture will immediately begin to emerge.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2^nd. Corinthians 11:3

If in addition we consider that thoughts and feelings are connected, and involve each other, a person operating under the commitment of both under the same assignment can develop a powerful force of resistance and irrational obstinacy.

Satan knows this human characteristic, so many times they are his most powerful tool for bringing many to their very destruction,

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 2^nd. Corinthians 3:14

Hence, care for the way of thinking and the way of feeling occupied within the doctrine of the apostles of the first century an extremely important position for the development of the life of faith; so much so that the apostle Paul, in directing his first epistle to the community of faith in Corinth, confronts them with how can one who has the mind of Christ act with such carnality,[4]

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1^st. Corinthians 2:16

A thought not subject to the obedience of Christ; and by extension, a feeling not subject to the obedience of Christ, are a drifting thought and feeling, susceptible to deception,

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14

Apostolic doctrine states that the requirement for living the life of faith is through the decision to subject thoughts and feelings to the obedience of the Lordship of Christ,

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2^nd. Corinthians 10:5

Hence, the apostolic recommendation is: Think according to the teaching of Jesus,

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:11

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1^st. Corinthians 13:11

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 2^nd. Corinthians 3:5

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 2^nd. Corinthians 5:14

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

The apostolic recommendation is: Feel according to the teaching of Jesus,

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Philippians 1:7

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 1^st. Corinthians  14:20

• How to treat other people

No one could believe that the way we treat others interferes with the development of the Revelation we may receive from God, but it is so; the treatment we give to others can increase the levels of Revelation, depending on whether we give a good treatment; or stop it or make it decrease, if on the contrary we give a bad treatment to others.

The basis of this principle is found in the teaching that Jesus shared with his disciples about giving Grace what Grace we have received,[5] and about forgiveness.[6]

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? ³⁴And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. Mathew 18:33-34

This teaching can be summarized in the following Words,

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews acknowledges that good treatment of the needy caused some to host angels without them knowing it,

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

The mistreatment of a person is considered a direct offense to Jesus, and thus avoids receiving from Him the Revelation of His mysteries,

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? ³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? ³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Mathew 25:34-40

In short, as we will have considered, Revelation does not come from nowhere, nor is it the result of the observance of ritual practices as many times religious studies might have suggested to us. It is not by what man and woman do, or fail to do, that they attain the benefits of being recipients of God’s mysteries.

On the contrary, the Revelation of God’s mysteries and projects to man are God’s decision in response to the dignity that man and woman show toward the things of God, when in time they are tried under the circumstances to choose between their personal benefits, or the benefits of the Kingdom.

There are, however, processes that hinder the full development of Revelation, these processes are situations specific to each one, according to the diaphanous decisions of each one around knowing how to behave among the circumstances,

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1^st. Timothy 3:15

God wants to lead us all to reach the fullness of Christ’s stature, is that also our decision?

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

All biblical quotations are taken from the King James Version.

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Twitter: @pastormontoya

https://earthenwarevessels.blog

[1] Ephesians 2:9

[2] Mathew 25:14-30

[3] Luke 19:12-27

[4] 1^st. Corinthians 3:1-4

[5] Mathew 10:8

[6] Mathew 6:12; Luke 11:4