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"Distributing the Good Gospel Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"
=20
PO Box 2392 Daly City, CA 94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 =
Fax: 1-650-757-5750
Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com E-Mail:
=20
Learning
John David Clark, Sr.
"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning"
Is it reasonable to think that you can learn the Bible without =
having your ideas concerning God changed? Is it reasonable to suppose =
that new knowledge can enter into your heart without requiring that =
wrong thoughts based on your former ignorance be cast out? If you knew =
very little about American History and you enrolled in a course on the =
subject, wouldn't you expect to have some of your ideas about American =
history reshaped by the learning? Surely we can understand that =
education means change; it means casting aside wrong ideas when we learn =
that those ideas are based upon a lack of knowledge. This is an =
escapable truth, whether one is speaking of natural or spiritual =
education. It is obvious that if we ever are to draw nearer to God, if =
we ever are to become more like Him, that we must first be willing to =
change any of our present thoughts and ways. We cannot grow and at the =
same time stay as we are. Growth is change. To grow in grace is to live =
in an attitude of constant repentance from beliefs about God which we =
learn are baseless.
Even after teaching the Bible for a number of years now, the =
attitude of many of my students still gives me pause. Almost all of my =
students seem eager to learn the Bible. After all, the Bible course is =
not required for anyone, and carries with it no college credit at all, =
so I suppose those who pay their money to take the course are doing so =
simply because they want to learn about God. But the strangest notion =
often afflicts them when it comes to learning the Bible. Their attitude =
seems to be that, regardless of what truths they may learn during the =
course, if they are Baptist, they expect to remain Baptists; if they are =
Catholic, they expect to remain Catholic; if they are Pentecostal, they =
expect to remain Pentecostal; if they are Muslim, they expect to remain =
Muslim. In short, few seem to approach the Bible wisely, expecting God =
by His mighty Word to make something of them they have never been =
before, to create understanding of Him that they would not previously =
have been able to believe. Few seem to understand that learning about =
God involves changes: changes in faith and changes in conduct. It brings =
about a revolution in our hearts. Learning about God is learning about =
God. It is not an exercise in self- glory. It will demand that we =
jettison inadequate beliefs when we learn that they are indeed =
inadequately based upon the revelation of God.
If you do not want your faith to be challenged, if you are =
unwilling to change your ways, then do not read your Bible. The Spirit =
of God, and the Bible it produced, endorses no sect, favors no man, and =
seeks no praise. It avoids no controversy, and does not fear your =
disapproval. The man who reads the Bible merely to justify himself in =
his faith is foolish. The honest- hearted soul opens the Bible to learn =
of God, not to find self-serving information.
In our Gentile culture, a wise man is often defined as one who =
possesses great knowledge. The truth is that no one but God knows God, =
and a wise man is one who humbles himself to receive the knowledge of =
the truth that God offers. Solomon was gifted with the ability to learn. =
In other words, God anointed Solomon with the rare ability to surrender =
his opinions when truth was revealed to him. The wisdom God gave to =
Solomon was not an abstract intellectualism, such as the ancient Greeks =
loved. It was instead a practical wisdom which we need, and which we can =
understand if we humble ourselves before God. Pride blinds the heart; it =
makes it difficult for us to admit that we have been wrong. It causes us =
to fear the thoughts of others. But it is the fool who will not change, =
even when the evidence shows that he has been wrong in his beliefs about =
God.
The only right way to read the Bible is in fear and faith. We must =
admit to ourselves that our beliefs are subject to God's approval, and =
then honestly and humbly approach the Scriptures, if we really expect to =
receive guidance. Every time we open the Bible, we must lay our thoughts =
and our preferences on the altar, and if the sacrificial fire is ignited =
by what we read and our ways are consumed, then we should be grateful to =
be rid of them.
The wisdom which God gave to Solomon was the ability to learn. =
Said Solomon, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. . . but =
fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Pro.1:5,7). God showed Solomon =
that a wise man is the man who can be taught, while a fool is one who =
cannot. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach =
a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Pro.9:9). God can't make =
us wise if we refuse to hear His instruction and be changed by it.
Consider these verses from Proverbs, and notice that the quality =
of wisdom is its ability to take knowledge in, while the quality of =
foolishness is its resistance to new information, or correction:=20
a.. 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a =
prating fool shall fall.=20
b.. 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction, but =
he that refuseth reproof erreth.=20
c.. 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge, but he that =
hateth reproof is brutish.=20
d.. 13:1 A wise heareth his father's instruction, but a scorner =
heareth not rebuke.=20
e.. 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that =
regardeth reproof is wise.=20
f.. 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the =
way, and he that hateth reproof shall die.=20
g.. 15:12 A scorner loveth not him that reproveth him, neither =
will he go unto the wise.
h.. 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among =
the wise.=20
i.. 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul, =
but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.=20
j.. 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred =
stripes into a fool.=20
k.. 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the =
ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.=20
l.. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou =
mayest be wise in thy latter end.=20
m.. 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; and =
reprove one that hath understanding and he will understand knowledge.=20
It is instructive to note that Solomon equates knowledge with =
correction. The one who is taught is "corrected" or reproved", for when =
a man takes in the knowledge of God, he is automatically guided in a new =
direction. But though a man is reproved by being taught, the wise man =
loves it! The wise man loves it because he understands that unless his =
thoughts and his ways are corrected by God, he can never please God, can =
never know Him, and will certainly be condemned in the Judgment. He =
knows that he needs help! While the fool is concerned with the =
appearance of possessing wisdom, the wise feel blessed by being taught. =
There have been a number of saints that I know who have been condemned =
by religious men for "constantly changing", from Catholic to Baptist to =
Pentecostal to the Truth, etc. My question is, what else should they be =
doing? Remaining in their errors like fools, so that others will =
consider them to be wise and stable? The only people who will ever come =
to the knowledge of God are those who are ready to change if God shows =
them that what they believe is a lie.=20
When God speaks, we move or we perish. God's Word is =
non-negotiable. But fools fear the displeasure of men more than the =
wrath of God, and they love the praise of men more than the praise of =
God. Blessed is the man who receives God's correcting guidance as coming =
from a loving hand! Eve was deceived because she was persuaded to =
believe that God did not really love her. And the foolish will not =
receive reproof because they see the one telling them the truth as an =
adversary, as one attacking their beliefs rather than seeing the =
revelation of the truth as a blessing, yea rather, an honor from God.=20
I understand very well that the truths which are published on this =
web page are not commonly taught. I also know that fact does not make =
those truths any less true. One of the first questions that a foolish =
person asks when presented with the truth is, "How many other people =
believe it?", as if that has any relevance at all. The person who has =
been seeking after the knowledge of God, as if it were treasure, =
rejoices at the coming of the truth. It is his answer; it is what he has =
longed for; it is like water to his thirsting soul. The wise soul does =
not perceive the truth as an offence; it is not seen as attacking =
anything. By a wise man the truth is embraced as a liberator from a =
dark, cold dungeon; it becomes his hero, his most cherished possession, =
a pearl of great price. To the thirsty soul, the truth is a long-awaited =
and most welcome guest. And in hopes that God's guest will stay, the =
wise make room for the truth by trashing ideas and behavior which are =
incompatible with that holy guest.
"Prove all things", wrote Paul. "Try the spirits", wrote John. In =
other words, don't be hasty either to believe or to despise what you =
hear. Put men's words to the test! But how can you do that until you =
yourself have been put to the test by God? Has your spirit been tested? =
Has your will been contradicted by the Spirit? Does it anger you when =
someone suggests you are misguided in your faith? Have you placed your =
ideas and opinions on God's altar and then approached Him in prayer, or =
then opened His book in humility? Has God sent one of His humble =
servants your way so that your spirit may be examined with truth? If =
not, pray for that blessing now. Be willing to be childlike; it is the =
only way to grow. Be willing to be wrong; it is the only way to be made =
right. Be willing to be found ignorant; it is the only way to learn. Be =
willing to be washed; it is the only way to be made clean.=20
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here,
and you can E-mail them to: GSAVELLI@aol.com=20
=20
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<CENTER><FONT face=3Darial size=3D3><B>"Distributing the Good Gospel =
Materials of=20
the Pioneer Tract Society"</B></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D550 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR height=3D35>
<TD width=3D550 bgColor=3D#000000 height=3D35><IMG height=3D35=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
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width=3D550 border=3D0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D1>PO Box 2392 Daly =
City, CA=20
94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 Fax:=20
1-650-757-5750<BR>Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com =
=20
E-Mail: </CENTER>
<P></FONT> </P>
<P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D600 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><IMG height=3D241 hspace=3D10=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
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OF HEADER *************** --><A name=3Dtop></A>
<CENTER
<H1><FONT color=3Dpurple>Learning</FONT></H1></CENTER>
<P><FONT size=3D4>
<CENTER>John David Clark, Sr.</CENTER>
<P>
<CENTER><B><I>"A wise man will hear, and will increase=20
learning"</I></B></CENTER>
<P>Is it reasonable to think that you can learn the Bible without =
having=20
your ideas concerning God changed? Is it reasonable to suppose =
that new=20
knowledge can enter into your heart without requiring that wrong =
thoughts=20
based on your former ignorance be cast out? If you knew very =
little about=20
American History and you enrolled in a course on the subject, =
wouldn't you=20
expect to have some of your ideas about American history reshaped =
by the=20
learning? Surely we can understand that education means change; it =
means=20
casting aside wrong ideas when we learn that those ideas are based =
upon a=20
lack of knowledge. This is an escapable truth, whether one is =
speaking of=20
natural or spiritual education. It is obvious that if we ever are =
to draw=20
nearer to God, if we ever are to become more like Him, that we =
must first=20
be willing to change any of our present thoughts and ways. We =
cannot grow=20
and at the same time stay as we are. Growth is change. To grow in =
grace is=20
to live in an attitude of constant repentance from beliefs about =
God which=20
we learn are baseless.
<P>Even after teaching the Bible for a number of years now, the =
attitude=20
of many of my students still gives me pause. Almost all of my =
students=20
seem eager to learn the Bible. After all, the Bible course is not =
required=20
for anyone, and carries with it no college credit at all, so I =
suppose=20
those who pay their money to take the course are doing so simply =
because=20
they want to learn about God. But the strangest notion often =
afflicts them=20
when it comes to learning the Bible. Their attitude seems to be =
that,=20
regardless of what truths they may learn during the course, if =
they are=20
Baptist, they expect to remain Baptists; if they are Catholic, =
they expect=20
to remain Catholic; if they are Pentecostal, they expect to remain =
Pentecostal; if they are Muslim, they expect to remain Muslim. In =
short,=20
few seem to approach the Bible wisely, expecting God by His mighty =
Word to=20
make something of them they have never been before, to create=20
understanding of Him that they would not previously have been able =
to=20
believe. Few seem to understand that learning about God involves =
changes:=20
changes in faith and changes in conduct. It brings about a =
revolution in=20
our hearts. Learning about God is learning about God. It is not an =
exercise in self- glory. It will demand that we jettison =
inadequate=20
beliefs when we learn that they are indeed inadequately based upon =
the=20
revelation of God.
<P>If you do not want your faith to be challenged, if you are =
unwilling to=20
change your ways, then do not read your Bible. The Spirit of God, =
and the=20
Bible it produced, endorses no sect, favors no man, and seeks no =
praise.=20
It avoids no controversy, and does not fear your disapproval. The =
man who=20
reads the Bible merely to justify himself in his faith is foolish. =
The=20
honest- hearted soul opens the Bible to learn of God, not to find=20
self-serving information.
<P>In our Gentile culture, a wise man is often defined as one who=20
possesses great knowledge. The truth is that no one but God knows =
God, and=20
a wise man is one who humbles himself to receive the knowledge of =
the=20
truth that God offers. Solomon was gifted with the ability to =
learn. In=20
other words, God anointed Solomon with the rare ability to =
surrender his=20
opinions when truth was revealed to him. The wisdom God gave to =
Solomon=20
was not an abstract intellectualism, such as the ancient Greeks =
loved. It=20
was instead a practical wisdom which we need, and which we can =
understand=20
if we humble ourselves before God. Pride blinds the heart; it =
makes it=20
difficult for us to admit that we have been wrong. It causes us to =
fear=20
the thoughts of others. But it is the fool who will not change, =
even when=20
the evidence shows that he has been wrong in his beliefs about =
God.
<P>The only right way to read the Bible is in fear and faith. We =
must=20
admit to ourselves that our beliefs are subject to God's approval, =
and=20
then honestly and humbly approach the Scriptures, if we really =
expect to=20
receive guidance. Every time we open the Bible, we must lay our =
thoughts=20
and our preferences on the altar, and if the sacrificial fire is =
ignited=20
by what we read and our ways are consumed, then we should be =
grateful to=20
be rid of them.
<P>The wisdom which God gave to Solomon was the ability to learn. =
Said=20
Solomon, <B><I>"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. =
.. . but=20
fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Pro.1:5,7). </I></B>God =
showed=20
Solomon that a wise man is the man who can be taught, while a fool =
is one=20
who cannot. <B><I>"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be =
yet=20
wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning"=20
(Pro.9:9).</I></B> God can't make us wise if we refuse to hear His =
instruction and be changed by it.
<P>Consider these verses from Proverbs, and notice that the =
quality of=20
wisdom is its ability to take knowledge in, while the quality of=20
foolishness is its resistance to new information, or correction:=20
<P>
<UL>
<LI>10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a =
prating fool=20
shall fall.=20
<P></P>
<LI>10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction, but =
he that=20
refuseth reproof erreth.=20
<P></P>
<LI>12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge, but he that =
hateth=20
reproof is brutish.=20
<P></P>
<LI>13:1 A wise heareth his father's instruction, but a scorner =
heareth=20
not rebuke.=20
<P></P>
<LI>15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that=20
regardeth reproof is wise.=20
<P></P>
<LI>15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the =
way, and he=20
that hateth reproof shall die.=20
<P></P>
<LI>15:12 A scorner loveth not him that reproveth him, neither =
will he=20
go unto the wise.
<P></P>
<LI>15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among =
the=20
wise.=20
<P></P>
<LI>15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul, =
but he=20
that heareth reproof getteth understanding.=20
<P></P>
<LI>17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred =
stripes=20
into a fool.=20
<P></P>
<LI>18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the =
ear of the=20
wise seeketh knowledge.=20
<P></P>
<LI>19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou =
mayest be=20
wise in thy latter end.=20
<P></P>
<LI>19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; and =
reprove one=20
that hath understanding and he will understand knowledge. =
</LI></UL>
<P>It is instructive to note that Solomon equates knowledge with=20
correction. The one who is taught is "corrected" or reproved", for =
when a=20
man takes in the knowledge of God, he is automatically guided in a =
new=20
direction. But though a man is reproved by being taught, the wise =
man=20
loves it! The wise man loves it because he understands that unless =
his=20
thoughts and his ways are corrected by God, he can never please =
God, can=20
never know Him, and will certainly be condemned in the Judgment. =
He knows=20
that he needs help! While the fool is concerned with the =
appearance of=20
possessing wisdom, the wise feel blessed by being taught. There =
have been=20
a number of saints that I know who have been condemned by =
religious men=20
for "constantly changing", from Catholic to Baptist to Pentecostal =
to the=20
Truth, etc. My question is, what else should they be doing? =
Remaining in=20
their errors like fools, so that others will consider them to be =
wise and=20
stable? The only people who will ever come to the knowledge of God =
are=20
those who are ready to change if God shows them that what they =
believe is=20
a lie.=20
<P>When God speaks, we move or we perish. God's Word is =
non-negotiable.=20
But fools fear the displeasure of men more than the wrath of God, =
and they=20
love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Blessed is the =
man who=20
receives God's correcting guidance as coming from a loving hand! =
Eve was=20
deceived because she was persuaded to believe that God did not =
really love=20
her. And the foolish will not receive reproof because they see the =
one=20
telling them the truth as an adversary, as one attacking their =
beliefs=20
rather than seeing the revelation of the truth as a blessing, yea =
rather,=20
an honor from God.=20
<P>I understand very well that the truths which are published on =
this web=20
page are not commonly taught. I also know that fact does not make =
those=20
truths any less true. One of the first questions that a foolish =
person=20
asks when presented with the truth is, "How many other people =
believe=20
it?", as if that has any relevance at all. The person who has been =
seeking=20
after the knowledge of God, as if it were treasure, rejoices at =
the coming=20
of the truth. It is his answer; it is what he has longed for; it =
is like=20
water to his thirsting soul. The wise soul does not perceive the =
truth as=20
an offence; it is not seen as attacking anything. By a wise man =
the truth=20
is embraced as a liberator from a dark, cold dungeon; it becomes =
his hero,=20
his most cherished possession, a pearl of great price. To the =
thirsty=20
soul, the truth is a long-awaited and most welcome guest. And in =
hopes=20
that God's guest will stay, the wise make room for the truth by =
trashing=20
ideas and behavior which are incompatible with that holy guest.
<P><B><I>"Prove all things"</I></B>, wrote Paul.<B><I> "Try the=20
spirits"</I></B>, wrote John. In other words, don't be hasty =
either to=20
believe or to despise what you hear. Put men's words to the test! =
But how=20
can you do that until you yourself have been put to the test by =
God? Has=20
your spirit been tested? Has your will been contradicted by the =
Spirit?=20
Does it anger you when someone suggests you are misguided in your =
faith?=20
Have you placed your ideas and opinions on God's altar and then =
approached=20
Him in prayer, or then opened His book in humility? Has God sent =
one of=20
His humble servants your way so that your spirit may be examined =
with=20
truth? If not, pray for that blessing now. Be willing to be =
childlike; it=20
is the only way to grow. Be willing to be wrong; it is the only =
way to be=20
made right. Be willing to be found ignorant; it is the only way to =
learn.=20
Be willing to be washed; it is the only way to be made clean.=20
<P><! -- ************ BOTTOM HEADER *********** -->
<P><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D2><I><A=20
href=3D"mailto:GSAVELLI@aol.com">Questions? Log onto the Internet, =
Click=20
Here,<BR>and you can E-mail them to: =
GSAVELLI@aol.com</A></I></FONT>=20
</P></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
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<HR>
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href=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
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href=3D"http://www.grisoft.com">http://www.grisoft.com</A>).<BR>Version: =
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