18 God-Centered and Holy Spirit-Centered Mysticism
December 18
God-Centered and Holy Spirit-Centered Mysticism
IF THE JESUS Christ-centered firsthandedness differs from the God-centered type of mysticism, it also differs from the Holy Spirit-centered type of mysticism. The Holy Spirit-centered type suffers from the same shortcoming as the God-centered; it is not anchored in the historical Person, Jesus. So the movements centering in the Holy Spirit are liable to get off into manifestations. These manifestations are not those of the Spirit of Jesus in human relations, but are manifestations of signs—tongues, signs and wonders, revelations, and tossing off miracles, interfering with human events, stopping Hitler, and others. Those who manifest these powers become seven-day spiritual wonders. They are admired and glorified by their followers. The Spirit-centered movements become, in the end, man-centered. Losing the God-Man as the center, they often make man the center. The shift is often so gradual that it is seldom noted. Beginning in the Spirit they end up in trying to be made perfect by the flesh—by following some so-called Spirit-endowed man.
In Revelation it is said: “I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!” (4:2). When we are in the Spirit we are not autonomous, going where the Spirit guides, for the Spirit’s guidance may be our own subconscious desires. If we are in the Spirit we need a throne—some central Authority to which we are loyal, supremely loyal. To us the one on the throne is Jesus Christ—Jesus is Lord. Without that throne we are liable to wander off into spiritual vagaries
O God, our Father, we cannot come to Thee and be sure it is Thee except through Thy Son. Holy Spirit, we cannot trust Thy supposed guidance except it be close to the revelation in Jesus. O Jesus, when we come to Thee we come to all three. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: If I come to the Father or the Spirit without the Son, I miss all three. Jesus is the key.
