Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal
.. one characteristic of aberrant groups is they have a high degree of subjectivity when it comes to interpreting scripture and God's leading. I suggest sticking to the clear, plain truths in the Bible, and not go hunting for hidden truths. There are enough plain truths for many lifetimes of blessing.
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Notice the "I" of the verse - it originally was John the B, now in the hands of Sparks or some other inner-life allegorist it becomes a narrative of their own subjective "journey with Christ".
Number one, that wasn't what the verse was about, as OBW notes. Number two, in saying this, you've become the object of the discussion, not Jesus. Even the "I am diminishing" comment, seeming so spiritual and self-effacing, is still a dangerous mis-aim. Because even the supposedly "diminished you" or "decreased you" is still not what the gospel was about.
Sorry but the focus of the gospel was, is, and remains Jesus - his ascendancy, his obedience to the Father, his compassion, his truth shared to all and especially the Twelve. We can see instructive examples around Jesus: those of Peter, of John and James, of Mary and Martha, of Zacchaeus the tax collector and John the baptiser. But their experiences aren't the focus, ever. In fact the very title: "Daily Devotional Inspirations" shows a mis-aiming. It's not your or my devotion that should be the topic here - it is Jesus'. He's the "sure peg" and there's no other. His subjective spiritual experiences have passed through death to glory. Mine have not.
I don't see how the contrast could be any more clear. One set of experiences is worthy of our faith, and one isn't.