WE HAVE SPOKEN of the God mysticism, the Spirit mysticism, and the Word mysticism. There is one more we must mention—Bible mysticism. There are those who make the Bible the center of their mysticism. They go into mystical states over assertions about the Bible. This book mysticism has been carried to an extreme among the Sikhs in regard to the Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikhs of India. They keep it under mosquito nets, to keep insects away, and fan it to keep the heat away. It is attended like a baby. This is extreme. Those in Christianity who have a book mysticism put the emphasis upon the verbal. It becomes in large measure a literalism. It is the Word become words.
The Word in the Bible is not the words—it is the Word become flesh. These words of the Bible take us beyond the words to the Word—the Word become flesh. The gospel lies in His Person. He didn’t bring the good news—He was the good news.
When we begin with the Word become flesh, then we find the Bible. It becomes alive with Him. These words of the Bible have been so close to the Word that they become alive with His life. They are vibrant with His vitality; they are vital because they lead us beyond themselves to Him. If they had stopped us at themselves they would have saved their lives and lost them, but the words lose themselves in the Word and find themselves again—they are alive with Him. I believe they are inspired because I find them inspiring. They are a revelation, because they reveal Him.
O Blessed Redeemer, Thou dost redeem me from wrong actions and wrong attitudes and from wrong emphases. Be Thou my central emphasis, and all my problems will begin to come out to solutions, for Thou art my solution. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I have only one affirmation: Jesus Christ is my affirmation, my divine yes!
