The gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I
did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by
revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11,12 NIV)
I wonder what Paul would think... were he to
come back today and look over the literature of the past many centuries upon his
letters, the systems of truth, of doctrine, the wonderful organizations men have
made of the things which he said in a moment of inspiration and need – I wonder
what he would say. I think he would look at it with blank amazement, and say,
"Well, that ever they could have made that out of what I said! That ever that
could have resulted!" I am not sure that he would recognize his own teaching. I
am quite sure that he would be very doubtful as to whether it was the right
outworking of what he said. I simply raise that as a question, and yet include
it as something upon which to reflect. Does not a systematizing of truth result
in limitation, in a setness which breathes death? The New Testament themes are
far, far too big for our molds. You cannot systematize the Cross of the Lord
Jesus, you can only go on your knees and worship, conscious that you see
something really far beyond your power to compass. But immediately you have
boxed it in a system of truth, you have reduced it from its divine and eternal
dimensions, and robbed it of its power, and brought it into a realm of death in
that measure. The Person of Christ, the resurrection of Christ – take any one of
the great themes of the New Testament – when you have so wonderfully brought
together all the fragments and organized them, and put them into a manual, a
textbook, you have killed the thing....
When the Lord Jesus
came, and in Himself gave some interpretation to the law, some light upon the
law, which did not fall within the compass of their system, there was no room
for Him, there was no room for God in His own law. There must be room left
for God!