The Way to Spiritual Enlightenment

The Way to Spiritual Enlightenment

 

By Fred O. Blakely

The way to spiritual enlightenment lies not so much in lexicology—devotion to the signification and application of words—as at another point. That is genuine devotion of heart and life to God, accompanied by diligent attention to His Word. Ordinarily, any standard version of the English Bible—for English-speaking people—will suffice as the text, with a few wisely-selected helps for reference. The principal requirement for His knowledge is readiness to hear and heed what God, in the Scriptures, has to say to one. 

 

There are numerous texts of the Scriptures that proclaim this fundamental situation. It is but a commentary on the perverseness and self-exaltive bent of men that they quite generally ignore this circumstance, and seek to study God in personal dissociation from and contrariety to Him.

The declarations of Jesus Himself set forth the essentiality of humility and submission to the knowledge of God. "If any man willeth to do His [God's] will," He declared, "he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself" (Jn. 7:17, ASV). To him who has and keeps His commandments, Christ promised that He would come (Jn. 14:15-18, 20-23), and would indwell one and expound God and His kingdom to him (ch. 16:25; cf. vv. 12-15). 

 

The Holy Spirit, as Peter declared, is given to them that obey God (Acts 5:32; cf. ch. 2:38). One of His functions is to make known "the things of God" (I Cor. 2:11-16). Thus, John wrote, "Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye [have the wherewithal to] know all things [necessary for life and 

godliness]" (I Jn. 2:20). "The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you," he continued, "and ye need not that any man teach you" since the anointing "teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie" (v. 27).

 

Even under the old covenant, the principle of illumination by obedience to God was operative, though not to the vastly expanded extent that it now is. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?" asks Isaiah. "Let him trust in the Lord, and stay upon his God" (Isa. 50:10). "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," declared David; "and He will show them His covenant" (Ps. 25:14).
 

Thus, as Solomon observed, ' The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7). Without that fear and due reverence, there can be no spiritual acquaintance with the Most High, and so no walk or fellowship with Him. God has promised, however, to have respect to and abide with him who is of 'a contrite and humble spirit." And in that indwelling He will make known to him the manner of the kingdom and the ways of God (Isa. 57:15; cf. ch. 66:1-2). --Fred O. Blakely