Fathers in Christ and Instructors

Knowledge has greatly increased among us, God be praised. But unfortunately, most people lack the mind of a father. Paul says, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers . . . .” 1 Cor. 4:15.

“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” 1 Cor. 8:1-2. It is possible to use knowledge to gratify the flesh and become wise and rich in yourself. Paul writes, “You have reigned as kings without us . . . .”

Christ came to save souls. If God has given us something, we are to use it to help people to be saved. A show of knowledge that only serves to puff up the flesh cannot save anyone. If knowledge is without love, it is only a form. That is why it is also called a form of doctrine. Knowledge is incomplete and imperfect because we only know in part and speak in part. For knowledge to be made perfect, it must be filled with that love for souls that comes from the mind of a father. Knowledge must be the means by which we, in love, can reach the goal—the salvation of the soul. How many people have you won for Christ with your knowledge? If you have not won a single person, but rather rejoice that you have overpowered many, then I am afraid that you can be classified among the ten thousand instructors.

You might say, “This is what is written, and therefore I consider every man to be a liar.” Very well, but do you understand what you are reading? No Scripture has been given for private interpretation, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The word has to be unlocked and reinterpreted by that same Spirit. Even as God honors a father more than a child, the incomplete knowledge of these instructors—when all is said and done—will be taken from them and used by the far-reaching wisdom of the fathers, because when that which is perfect comes, everything that is in part will pass away. Do not be puffed up by things that ultimately are only a piece of the whole picture. Instead, pray for a mind that is able to help people to be saved. Perhaps God will make you fruitful, so that in time you can become one of the few fathers.

When a person only thinks about themself and their own little assembly, things will not go well. Often the ties that bind such an assembly together can be based in part on them knowing one another according to the flesh, on outward rules, etc. Time and time again we have seen that among those you might expect to have grown up to be somewhat of a pillar in God’s assembly, there are people so devoid of having a father’s care that they commit the most appalling and foolish deeds in their effort to help people come to salvation. Again and again we see that it is the instructors who are at work, not the fathers.

An instructor can give a lecture based on his learning, but when the lesson is over, he feels no further responsibility for the child; he is free and quite happy for that.

The child’s father, on the other hand, is not happy to see the child leave; he is happy to see the child come. He wants to ease all of the child’s burdens, and the child’s growth and progress is the joy of his heart. His own knowledge means nothing to him, if only the child can have a good development, because fathers do not gather to themselves, but to their children. Love binds the father and the child together. Do you have any such children? If so, you will not use your knowledge to beat your child and then rejoice that you were able to put him in his place.

If a person is to be without offense, love must abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment. Phil. 1:9. In this same way, knowledge must be filled with love for God and people if you want to avoid things that cause offense.

“Professing to be wise, they became fools . . . .” Rom. 1:22. It is easy for folly to surface when a person, with their knowledge, thinks that they know something.

John came to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children. Yet the spirit of the times, which sneaks its way into the assembly of God, seeks to break up this good relationship and turn everything upside down. The children assume the authority of a father, and the fathers, who seem weak in Christ, yield to the strength of the children. However, what does the Scripture say? “You are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made perfect [Norw.].” 2 Cor. 13:9.

Since this is how it is, and nothing can change it, let us be diligent to gather unto Christ. It is the wolf that comes to scatter.

Let that perfect mind that was in Christ also be in you.