Chapter VII.  FAITH ‑ COMMUNICATION

  HOW GOD COMMUNICATES WITH YOU AND ME

      I have long believed that God's plan is one plan ‑ one, total, complete, in depth plan and entity ‑ yes, in all His creativity, life forms, the explicit and implicit power, all in perfect balance and equilibrium, fully logical (to Him, not necessarily to us).

      In and through this stream of His power, life, sensibility, rational and "statistical" relationships, He placed man ‑‑ man in the very center of its flow ‑‑ man, the most sensible creation of His hand ‑‑ provided with spirit and soul (as well as body) ‑‑ man, designed to communicate with (from and to) God.

 This is a thrilling reality (to me), for as a communication  engineer, I find great thoughts rumbling in my head, seeming parallel capabilities to some of our physical modes of communication; yet, these physical capabilities of ours are all frail in capability and power to God's "built-in" communication capability.

 You see, our "physical" modes of communication are each limited by distance, path anomalies, and large, cumbersome receiving antennas, not to mention noisy system elements and  varying degrees of reproduction fidelity.  Of course, as time goes on, techno1ogy is improving and these elements are getting smaller and smaller, better and better.

 But God's system suffers from none of these;  yet, in a parallel sense, there are inhibiting elements.

 Satan adds in his spurious ideas in seemingly authoritative ways.  These are, in effect 'noise'.  We also misuse our input gates of the soul, notably our eyes and ears, as well as our other creature senses.  These are often inhibitions of real magnitude, devastating 'noise levels'.  Only as we allow God to develop in us that sixth sense that only He can provide, yes, only as His Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we accept and receive the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior from Sin (and sins). Yes, only then, do we have a truly positive direction for decision and practice for our lives ‑ a way to escape Satan's power and wiles, a way to defeat these powers which, although great, are not as great  as He that is within the true believer.

 AN EXAMPLE OF COMMUNICATION AND INHIBITING ELEMENTS

      There is a block printed verse of Scripture which is a near perfect example of impeded communication, of poor "signal to noise"  ratio.  When initially "read" face‑on, it appears to be a blob.  And, indeed, it is a cross patch of "noise" ‑ it's a mess.'  Seemingly, there is no way to get any intelligence from it;  indeed, no semblance of Intelligence (See Figure 2). NOTE: this figure was prepared by others and is used here as being of anonymous origin.  However, by "phase tuning" the page (i.e., turning the page to each appropriate angle as noted by the numbers on the figure, you can go right down into the noise and pull the intelligence out.

      Actually, every line of that example is part of the verse (the Intelligence);  yet, also, each line is noise to other parts of the verse.

      To detect the intelligence, we must know and obey certain rules.  You can know the rules and continue to look at the block printed verse face‑on, and you will never see a part of the verse.  But if you know that the verse is in four parts (one part aligned with each number around the block printed verse) and that each part may be read by tilting the page so as to view the block partially "edge on", where both the verse and block appears about 1/3 size in the  height dimension, then you "know" how to get the intelligence out.  But, if vou don't follow the rules, you will not see;  yes, if you are disobedient to the information given you, you will not read it.

      However, those that follow the rules exactly will soon see each of the four parts of the verse "pop" out of the otherwise unintelligible block of "noise".  Yes, #1  says: THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST;  #2 says: HE IS A NEW CREATURE; #3 says: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; and #4 says: BEHOLD ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW. -- do you see it!!

      Once you see it, it is so plain;  yet, it is very difficult for some.  A few, once they see it, can actually make it out face‑on;  these are rare.  But isn't that so true of life? We know, but do not obey;  we understand, but don't do;  we have the facts, but don't operate with them;  we just plain want our own way despite His knowledge and convictions.  Yes, sometimes we even flaunt our will in the very face of God and expect Him to bless.  Yet, we know His rules, His will and way, that if we are obedient to His power manifested to our lives, His owner becomes ours;  we are blessed as never before, and used of Him to bless others (See Romans 1:5): "We have received of His grace, His apostleship. because we have been obedient to His power manifested to us..." (faith) " ... obedient to all nations for His name."

Figure 2:    Communication Inhibited  -- Signal to Noise Problems!

The following are clear examples of the greatness of our God and of His plan for our lives -- both Hebrews and 1 John speak eloquently of this:  

    Hebrews 12:1‑2          "Wherefore, seeing we also  are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...(the power of God manifested to us for obedience)... who, for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."    -- and,

     I John 4:4

Speaks of His keeping power and capability; yes, no one and no thing can ride rough shod over you, without His allowing it, and truly, He will only allow this to a point.  Re‑read I Corinthians 10:13 and I John 4:4.  Greater! Yes, FAR GREATER!

  FAITH ‑ COMMUNICATION

      Now then, where does Faith fit into this communication mode?  Actually, the very heart of it, for it is the power, yes, the very "carrier power", as well as information chan‑ nel, which God uses to transmit His ideas/instructions/commands/conversations and physiological/spiritual changes,  to man and, similarly, from man to Him.  Wow! ‑ That is something ‑ That is FAITH.

     In communications today we see systems which are growing in complexity, systems which were impossible a few years ago. Yet, we are convinced that these will all be smaller and less complex, less costly, year by year.  This is all being driven by integrated circuit capabilities and increasing use of various Large Scale Integration (LSI) techniques, placing more in less space. Yet, most likely, this has all been pre‑empted by God.  Maybe this, too, is part and parcel of our "brain" and distributed sensory system.  A transceiver of incredible capability, yet micro‑micro reduced in size, essentially "invisible" to man at our present stage of technology.  Impossible ‑‑ I think not ‑‑ and very few will think so either if they will only reflect upon the fantastic technological strides we have seen in just the last few years. Also, keep in mind, although not seen or felt, we have radio/TV and other intelligent waves of energy crises crossing our world and our very person at all times. Truly remarkable, especially when we realize that with the proper "receiver" we can make any of them available to our understanding.

     Also, we are now putting full computers with vast memories in volumes less than one 10,000th that of "equivalent" capabilities of just 10 or 15 years ago. The 'Dick Tracy" wrist transceiver has long since become passé.  Yes. God's transceiver in us is fully credible in terms of present technology.  Our brain is said to be the most incredible computer and storage device of all time, yet, requiring  a very small volume and "trickle" power ‑ incredible!  Yet, again, added credibility to our position on God's transceiver in us.

      Enough of this "hardware" synthesis;  God could certainly devise such a mechanism, but, with or without such a machine in us, He does communicate, does impress us with His desires and will.  We really know it, and the "ball is in our court" to obey or disobey.

      I have said it before, it is never (NEVER) that we have not heard Him  have not been told what to do (His good pleasure for us);  rather, it is right in our lap of disobedience, hedging, dodging, hiding, running, lying, procrastinating ("tomorrow"), minimizing;  let's face it ‑ we'd rather "do our own thing" (as 'ole Blue Eyes put it -- "I've done it my way").

      Oh, that we might, each one of us (you and me) develop "reflex obedience" to His will and way ‑ Yes,  fully faithful (obedient to His power manifested to us).  Yes, when He instructs we respond, and we continue to do His will until He changes our instructions.

      Remember, God has said: "Obedience is better than sacrifice". Yes, it is always better to do His will rather than sin and then later need to bring our sacrifice (sin offering) to Him.  Oh, how He enjoys a heart of obedience and praise.

      The following appendices provide added study material -- each item leading us to further appreciate the wonders of God's dealings with mankind and with us in particular.  Actually, no one escapes His challenges and direction -- as the Psalmist said:

         "I pant after thee as a dear thirsts for streams of water" (Psm. 42:1).            

            "All kings on this earth have heard your promises, Lord, and they will praise thee"  (Psm. 138:4).

            "You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you   know all about me. (Psm. 139:1).

               Even so, " The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" (Psm. 14:1).

   Yes, we all do know -- but we don't all obey, even part of the time.

       Remember to "study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth".