By Rev Deb
"Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom". Prov. 11:2
Panoramic
The Wise (wide) seeker
The dictionary defines panoramic as: “an unobstructed and wide view of
an extensive area in all directions.”
In our fourth and final series of the “believers spiritual eye exam” we will be focusing our attention on the panoramic believer and how this group of believers is compared to the good soil (good heart) of Mathew 13
THE PANORAMIC COMPREHENDERS
The Panoramic Christian is well balanced... Like the good soil, these Pano-viewers have learned that purity in Christ can only come from a true knowledge of God's word and know how to act upon that knowledge.
A balance of study, prayer, and experience is what sets the pano-viewer apart from the rest. They have come to understand through personal experience, that genuine humility and respect for others is the absolute foundation of WISDOM and TRUE knowledge.
As the proverb states above “Pride leads to disgrace…” and unfortunately this seems to be the road many take. Some feel the need to have the last word or feel that if they are in the right - it is their right to say so! Often times this causes unnecessary arguments, broken friendships, and/or hard feelings. Pride is often the culprit, the root source of feeling the need to defend themselves. This admittedly is sensed by the recipient and more times then not causes a negative reaction.
Jesus in Matthew 5:37 exhorts believers to be simple in their answers, as lengthy statements often result from wrong or prideful motives.
It is not until we learn from the panoramic view of humility, that we are able, like our Lord, to stand in quiet silence and having the confidence that our heavenly Father sees all and will in due time come to our defense.
"Never take your own REVENGE, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Rom 12:19
This word "Revenge" in the original Greek is "ekdikeo" and means - "To VINDICATE a person's right".
The Pano-believer realizes that getting their own vindication when someone has wronged them is only going to bring hurt, heartache and spiritual discipline.
In other words, the Lord takes care of the proud and haughty and WILL see to it that they are dealt with. This is a Father's right, not the right of the sibling...
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Eph 6:1, see also Heb 12:7-11).
The only right we have as believers in this kind of situation is to forgive. This is the lesson that the panoramic believer has learned. Now that is not to say that they are perfect, but rather, it means that the Pano-veiwer does not make it a habit of arguing and causing dissensions.
Jesus as a Son to His Father left everything into His hands. He was a Pano-viewer in His humanity. Jesus also taught by word and deed (example) what the Lord desires in His children who are being called by His name.
Jesus was always right and in the right but He never felt that he had to prove it. The Lord knows how to expose those that walk in pride. Just read how the Lord dealt with king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 4. Here is king Nebuchadnezzar’s response after he was restored.
"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." Dan 4:37
He definitely knew what that meant after he was removed from his kingdom for a time and was humbled in the fields (disciplined) roaming around like an animal!! He got the message loud and clear-
The Lord said, He humbles those that walk in pride and will exalt those that humble themselves..." Matt. 23:12
This example of humbling and exalting, can be seen all through the Old Testament, which the New Testament says is for our learning upon whom the end of the ages have come (Rom. 15:4: 1Cor. 10:11).
IN THE KNOW...
"Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the teachers that proclaim his will." Amos 3:7
The Apostle John said that, "the light shines (true knowledge) in the darkness (what is falsely called knowledge), and the darkness (lacks spiritual understanding) did not comprehend it (true knowledge)" Jn. 1:5
True humility opens the doors of understanding. Let me say that again- TRUE humility opens the doors to understanding. Look what Luke 24:45 says,
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Lk.24:45
[ True Wisdom Comes from God ] If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 3:13
" Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?" 2 Chron 1:10
Having the understanding of where wisdom and knowledge come from is humility. It focuses our attention on the One who is pure wisdom and knowledge. This, in turn, causes us to understand how we fit into the body of Christ thus allowing our defenses to come down and then the only thing left is humility.
There can be no godly understanding without real humility. The lack of humility closes off the spiritual door of understanding and then the only thing left behind is pride.
Paul says, “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col 1:10
“…Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Col 2:3
THE SEVEN VIRTUES
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,”
2 Peter 1:5-6
These two verses describe the panoramic vision of humility. Paul arranged these virtues in a certain order to demonstrate what is needed to reach the maturity level of a panoramic believer.
Each virtue sets in motion the next virtue. In other words, in order to reach the level of godliness, you must first begin with diligence. It takes diligence to come to the understanding of the knowledge of Christ. Diligence begets faith, meaning, it takes diligently seeking God’s word to produce the level of faith that keeps you from falling into worldly traps.
Now notice how Peter says in your faith “supply” moral excellence. Why supply? The word “supply” is the Greek word epichoregeo and means “to furnish, aid, contribute, nourish.”
The interesting point is this, Peter says to apply diligence. Diligence is something you have to make a concerted effort. This is brought out in the Greek. Simply put, if I wanted to make a cake I would have to deliberately give my attention to the recipe if I want it to come out right. In the same way, Paul is saying that we as believers must apply ourselves or give attention (full effort) to understanding. This understanding leads us to faith. Now faith, on the other hand, is needed to aid or contribute or nourish our morals. Remember, our morals had been corrupted by our former way of life and now needs an overhaul. But the only way we are going to see a new life is through the corrective lens of faith!
Make sense?
Paul continues, “…now that you have embraced moral excellence (as opposed to the lack of), add to it knowledge. Knowledge is the cherry on top of the ice cream. It is where a believer transcends the natural mind set and is opened to the deeper things of God.
To be continued...
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