There are several places in the Bible that speak of things that can’t be told.
Perhaps the most notable is at the last Supper when Jesus informed His disciples that He had more to say to them, but that they were not yet ready to receive it.
Another example is Mary, when receiving the revelation that she was to be the mother of Jesus. This too was something that could not be told, at least not until there was the confirmation of another witness.
Somewhat later Paul informs the carnal Christians at Corinth that he does speak a word among the mature, but that he could not yet address them as mature.
Still later Paul speaks of having surpassing revelations, “things that a man is not permitted to tell.”
The writer of Hebrews has much to share with them, but can’t do so due to their dullness of hearing at a time when they should already have been teachers.
We could also note that Daniel was told to seal up a scroll which would have to wait until an appointed time in the distant future.
For most of human history the greatest truth remained a mystery, “Christ in You the hope of Glory” to be revealed only in Paul’s time.
While Paul just came right out with it, we are still left to wonder what can this revelation possibly mean. So why the delay in our ability to “Get it”?
People are not ready for the truth. This can be true because of the carnality of the hearers. It can also be the result of the times. There are times before which we just are not capable of comprehending the revelation. In any case, time is an important factor. It may be that a second witness is required to confirm the revelation, and this too is time related.
Perhaps it might help if we reduce and simplify. Assume with me for a moment that all of “what can’t be told” is the same revelation. Suppose this revelation was so big it was beyond our comprehension. Suppose this is also a revelation whose time has come or is rapidly coming upon us. Suppose that this revelation has to do with the priority of God, and not our own priorities. Suppose this has to do with the intimacy of the Godhead from the time the world began. Suppose this is not about generic relationships, but about very specific relationships and purposes in God having their origins in and by Him. These are relationships so full of the passion and purposes of Christ, and not some kind of human decisions, born out of religious merchandising by those who are like children sitting in the marketplace touting their agendas and clouding the wisdom that is known of her children.
There are signs of late that just such a perversion and misuse is now beginning to descend upon the loneliness of God’s people, especially the young people. This is brought to us by half-baked religious merchandisers bound to cause greater relational disasters than have already plagued the church for generations in the flesh.
Relationships in Christ are not generic, they are born of God for His purposes–not as mere religious toys. Beware of these half-baked peddlers that are beginning to come on the scene. I hope to spend a little more time here in the days immediately ahead.
Love!
- By Jay Ferris, originally posted April 2013.
Loving Like God 