“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21
At the Central American Pastor's Conference this week, Don McClure told a story that reminded me of this verse.
An inventor created a violin, and it was the most beautiful sounding violin in all the world. People would travel for miles just to hear one, and they were very expensive. A man sold everything he had to buy one, and started playing on street corners. At the end of every performance, the applause would be great. However, he knew that they were merely applauding the violin, and not his talent. He became jealous of his violin. One day, at the end of his performance, with the applause resounding in the air, the man raised his violin over his head, and smashed it on the ground. The crowd gasped. He then reached behind him, pulled out another violin, and held it in his two hands. “This,” he said, “is the famous, beloved violin that you all came to hear. The one that you are applauding for was purchased for twenty dollars.” The crowd was silenced. The applause was then for his music and talent, not for the violin. The music was just as beautiful coming from his hands playing the famous violin, as it was when he performed with the twenty dollar one.
The Word of God is priceless. It is far more beautiful and precious than any music. Yet, how often do we judge its source rather than it's content? I am often reluctant to hear the Word from someone who I think has alternate motives, a wrong heart, pride, or who has wronged me. However, Paul did not see it this way. He wrote, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will... But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15,18).
I need to sincerely live out this verse in James and receive the Word in meekness and humility, before God and before the messenger. Instead of focusing on their motives, I need to search my own heart. I no longer want to allow the instrument to keep me from His beautiful melodies.
An inventor created a violin, and it was the most beautiful sounding violin in all the world. People would travel for miles just to hear one, and they were very expensive. A man sold everything he had to buy one, and started playing on street corners. At the end of every performance, the applause would be great. However, he knew that they were merely applauding the violin, and not his talent. He became jealous of his violin. One day, at the end of his performance, with the applause resounding in the air, the man raised his violin over his head, and smashed it on the ground. The crowd gasped. He then reached behind him, pulled out another violin, and held it in his two hands. “This,” he said, “is the famous, beloved violin that you all came to hear. The one that you are applauding for was purchased for twenty dollars.” The crowd was silenced. The applause was then for his music and talent, not for the violin. The music was just as beautiful coming from his hands playing the famous violin, as it was when he performed with the twenty dollar one.
The Word of God is priceless. It is far more beautiful and precious than any music. Yet, how often do we judge its source rather than it's content? I am often reluctant to hear the Word from someone who I think has alternate motives, a wrong heart, pride, or who has wronged me. However, Paul did not see it this way. He wrote, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will... But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15,18).
I need to sincerely live out this verse in James and receive the Word in meekness and humility, before God and before the messenger. Instead of focusing on their motives, I need to search my own heart. I no longer want to allow the instrument to keep me from His beautiful melodies.
Lord, change my heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
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