Spiritual Greatness

by Johnston, Brian, D. | Category: General | Sept 1985

THERE was no reply from the crowd. "What did you go out into the desert to see?" The Lord repeated the question. Still no reply. In view of their reticence the Lord volunteered answers to His own probings; answers that were calculated to be self-evidently false ... "a wind-shaken reed?" ... "a delicate courtier?" John's audience had not gone out aimlessly to watch the grass blowing, furthermore the one they had gone to see was, in spiritual terms, no "wind-shaken reed". John the Baptist Was the complete antithesis of this. He was a man of real spiritual backbone. We too are exhorted1 to become spiritually mature, not to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.

This strength of character in John was reflected by his very appearance and language, recalling the prophet Elijah. John, however, was not to be seen in the shad6w of the prophets. For the listeners heard the Lord describe John as "more than a prophet", and He continued: "among them born of women there is none greater"! In human terms, these are surprising words aren't they? If we were to assess spiritual greatness we might naturally consider such men as Elijah and Elisha in their association with the miraculous manifestation of divine power; or the unique wisdom of Solomon, or the heroic, giant-killing faith of a David. But no, the Lord selects John for this supreme accolade.

Now John's ministry of a few months was remarkably short considering such extensive preparation, and was also noteworthy for its complete absence of the miraculous, for "John indeed did no sign"2. What then is the measure of spiritual greatness? Wherein lay John's greatness? How can we achieve it? These are far from being academic questions, but are of significant practical import as He who so assessed John's service will one day at His Judgement-seat likewise assess ours! One has well said, I believe, that the measure of spiritual greatness is the measure in which God achieves His purpose in our lives. John certainly was totally committed to accomplishing the will of God in his pivotal ministry of turning the fathers' hearts back to the children in preparing Israel for her Messiah. The Lord's tribute near the end of his mission clearly showed that the early prophecy "He shall be great in the sight of the Lord"3 had been fulfilled. What can we learn from John's manner of service? How was it that God achieved His purpose in him?

Perhaps the most striking facet of John's service was his absolute yieldedness, his total commitment, his selfless dedication to that end. From earliest days till his showing to Israel (the best part of thirty years!) he was in the deserts in human solitude, but alone with God. For his unique ministry he didn't receive training in any school of the rabbis but rather in the school of God, out there in the baking heat of the Judean wilderness. Like Moses of old, he valued as all-important the essential Presence of God4 - Thus we learn to cultivate in our lives the practice of being alone in the presence of God. John's simple garb, bronzed countenance and subsistence diet reveal where his real values lay. The "voice" by the Jordan knew nothing of creature comforts or transient pleasures. There was no attempt to imitate contemporary' lifestyle; his basic lifestyle reflected the fact that he was "not of this world". Such a detached perspective and uncompromising stand permitted him to be fearlessly uninhibited in preaching, as he stood neither to gain or lose in terms of this world by what he said.

John, with his complete lack of appetite for the things of this world, is a worthy example for us, who in true discipleship are, "not to be fashioned according to this world"5, because we don't belong to it. The Lord defined for us true discipleship when He said, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me"6. Christ's challenge is threefold, requiring a conscious decision on our part, self-denial and total commitment. The stakes are so high and yet the Lord leaves it to us: "if any man would". What powerful imagery the Lord uses, for the man who picked up a cross was no longer living for this world; no longer had any interest in it. Thus the committed Christian selflessly loses his life in this world for Christ's sake. Real commitment is the measure of real faith. The faith of the early disciples was revolutionizing; transforming, moulding their entire lives for the Master. Today pseudo-faith is reflected in pseudocommitment. We ought to live in the midst of secular society in a manner consistent with the fact that the truth of God possesses our hearts and our lives, not merely our words, expressing that Jesus is real.

Certainly no less striking a feature of John's service, and at the same time intimately bound up with his total commitment, was his sustained experience of the fulness of the Holy Spirit. Here we discover the secret why it was that the world held no attraction for him; he had something far better! We too are exhorted to be continually, habitually, "filled with the Spirit" - This is so clearly not an unconditional state entered upon at our conversion nor a crisis experience in subsequent Christian life. There appears to be only one condition, namely the desire to be filled, allowing the Spirit then to control our lives. Such a desire however presupposes total commitment, including being prepared to accept that He'll expect unquestioning obedience in everything; that He won't tolerate "self sins"; that He'll transform us increasingly into His own likeness and strip us of borderline pleasures others may appear to enjoy.

Thus the Lord expects, without commanding, that we "come after" Him, to walk in the "narrow" way with Himself, in true freedom enjoying life in all its fulness. Surely with sadness, in view of His supreme sacrifice, the Lord said that few (believers) are willing so to do8 - And yet the loss from all the dying to self and the world is nothing to be compared with the gain of being altogether taken up with Christ9 in the power of a Spirit-filled life in which to know God experientially and to enjoy the Lord personally. Stephen, full of the Spirit, was a man full of power; knowing the Scriptures he spoke with conviction and intensity. Today the Spirit's power is at times confused with what is carnal, emotional and sensational. John did no sign! Power is basically the ability to do.

The Spirit's power in our lives can be first recognized by His ability to make Jesus real in our lives. Paul prayed that the Ephesian saints might be strengthened with power through the Spirit that Christ might dwell in their hearts through faith10. Thus the effect of such power is a heightened sense of the Presence of Christ; a greater sense of God in our lives. As a result prayer becomes more meaningful and vital; and Bible study and meditation a habitual, delightful communion. Our lives cannot help being shaped as the reality of our heavenly calling grips us. If we're living above as citizens of another world, heaven, not the world around us, will seem nearer and the more real. Issues such as pleasing the Lord, fruit-bearing and proving His will assume paramount importance. Such matters the Scriptures associate with the fulness of the Holy Spirit -

Thus spiritual greatness, God accomplishing His will in us, is achieved in experiencing the fulness of the Spirit which in turn necessitates commitment.

References

1. Eph. 4:14

2. John 10:41

3. Luke 1:15,16

4. Ex. 33:12-15

5. Rom. 12:2

6. Luke 9:23

7. Eph. 5:18

8. Mat. 7:13,14

9. Phil. 3:7,8

10. Eph. 3:14-19

11. Eph.5:1-21