All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We refer to these couple verses quite often. Let us break it down and see what all is contained in this passage.
First, we learn that the scriptures (that is, writings, that is, the Bible) are given by inspiration of God. Or more literally, that they are God-breathed. God, being the creator of all things, as well as being all powerful and all knowing, certainly has the authority with which to tell us what to do. Much as a parent has the authority to direct and guide his/her child. We learn here of the absolute authority and perfect origin of the Bible. And while it is likely that Paul here is referring to the Old Testament, the New Testament books (specifically the letters of Paul) are also put into the same category of “scripture” by Peter (II Peter 3:15-16).
We learn that the scriptures are profitable, that is, useful and worthwhile for doctrine. Which means that the word of God is provided for teaching and learning. We learn also that it is profitable for reproof, that is, for rebuking that which is wrong. We are convicted of what is wrong through God's word. Following this, we see that it is good for correction. Which makes sense. After we see what we are doing wrong, we can learn how to fix it. And we learn that the scriptures are there for instruction in all righteousness. This is a bit different from doctrine. Doctrine, or teaching is a more general term. It would include not only what we need to do, but also basic teachings of Christ: His Deity, His life, His crucifixion and burial, His resurrection, and such things as that. “Instruction in righteousness” is more specific: the scriptures teach us how we might stand righteous before God, and thus be saved.
Verse 17 teaches us two things. First, that it is through the scriptures and the use of the scriptures that the man of God may be made perfect, that is, complete or mature. We do not turn to some other source in order to mature and be a whole and complete Christian: we turn to God's inspired word. It is not through some other teaching, catechism, or creed that we become complete. It is only through the Bible, which God has provided.
The second part of verse 17 tells us what we need to continue doing, and of our purpose. That we may thoroughly equipped for good works. That is, by heeding scripture, we will be prepared and able to carry out the Lord's work. That would involve teaching, caring for others, increasing our faith, and anything else that can truly be done in His service.
There is much contained in these two short verses that instruct us in the proper use of the Lord's word. Let us strive to do as much as we can to grow in knowledge of the word, and to use it well in the Lord's service.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tradition
Tradition can be a sticky subject. Many people are instantly opposed to anything traditional. Others are enamored with traditions. The Bible speaks of traditions that are both good, and of those that are evil. Let us consult the scriptures, given by God, to understand how we should view tradition.
Some traditions are expressly good. These are those things which have their origin with God, and which God has made binding. That is, God made them and God expects us to follow them. II Thessalonians 2:13-15 tells us that this tradition is the gospel, which was taught by the apostles in both written form and verbal form. (II Corinthians 10:7-11 illustrates that what they said they also wrote, and the other way around. It wasn't two separate teachings, but the same things taught two ways.) We see in II Thessalonians 3:6-12 that this tradition taught by Christ and the apostles involved the manner of life in which we are to live. I Thessalonians 4:1-8 and I Corinthians 11:23 show us that what the apostles taught was not separate of what the Lord taught, nor was it of their own creation. Rather, they taught the traditions which they were commanded to teach by God. They were fulfilling the commandment given to them by Christ in Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
For this reason, we accept what the apostles wrote and taught regarding the Lord's will. It is not a matter of “This is just what Paul thought,” or “Well, that's just Peter's view of it.” Their instruction comes from the Lord.
Next we note that some things are indifferent to the Lord. There are some things (but not everything!) in which we have some freedom and liberty to do as we choose. For example, there is no verse in scripture which tells us what color to paint our walls or carpet our floors. There are some things which are left up to us. And occasionally, we form traditions we follow around these sorts of things. These traditions are things which man originated, but which we do not force on others. Often these are a matter of convenience (for example, we assemble at 9:45 on Sunday mornings because that is a convenient time, as opposed to a different time each week.) Romans 14:1-13 deals with these things. At the same time, we must remember I Peter 2:13-17 and not misuse our liberty. We must remember that Christ, and His will, always comes first.
Next, we turn our eyes to tradition which God finds displeasing in the extreme. When man originates something and then makes it binding on others, it is an evil tradition. This generally takes two forms. One is replacing one of God's traditions with a man-made tradition. The other is adding a man-made tradition to God's tradition. In Matthew 15:1-13, Christ expressly condemns this sort of tradition. In Galatians 1:13-17, Paul writes of the religious traditions he followed earlier in his life, which caused him to persecute the church. Colossians 2:8-10 warns against being cheated by man by traditions. Titus 1:10-16 warns against following fables and commandments of men. I Peter 1:13-21 addresses aimless conduct taught by tradition. We must be careful not to add or replace any part of what God has said in the scriptures. When we do so, we oppose Christ. Likewise, we must careful not to adhere to such man-made doctrines, lest we lose our soul.
The last sort of tradition is also one that is evil. It occurs when God has established something, and decreed that man should follow in it, yet men obey only our of rote habit, and not out of devotion fervent obedience to God. This was a problem in the days of Isaiah, as shown in Isaiah 29:13-14 and Isaiah 1:11-20. The people at that time were keeping the laws given to them by God. But they held no meaning for the people. They simply followed them by habit and without thought. We must be careful to never follow God in such a way! Indeed, the Bible teaches that He finds such obedience to be just as repugnant as disobedience.
Let us follow the traditions as given to us in the scriptures by God! Let us turn away from such man-made doctrines as imperil our soul. Let us strive to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
Some traditions are expressly good. These are those things which have their origin with God, and which God has made binding. That is, God made them and God expects us to follow them. II Thessalonians 2:13-15 tells us that this tradition is the gospel, which was taught by the apostles in both written form and verbal form. (II Corinthians 10:7-11 illustrates that what they said they also wrote, and the other way around. It wasn't two separate teachings, but the same things taught two ways.) We see in II Thessalonians 3:6-12 that this tradition taught by Christ and the apostles involved the manner of life in which we are to live. I Thessalonians 4:1-8 and I Corinthians 11:23 show us that what the apostles taught was not separate of what the Lord taught, nor was it of their own creation. Rather, they taught the traditions which they were commanded to teach by God. They were fulfilling the commandment given to them by Christ in Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
For this reason, we accept what the apostles wrote and taught regarding the Lord's will. It is not a matter of “This is just what Paul thought,” or “Well, that's just Peter's view of it.” Their instruction comes from the Lord.
Next we note that some things are indifferent to the Lord. There are some things (but not everything!) in which we have some freedom and liberty to do as we choose. For example, there is no verse in scripture which tells us what color to paint our walls or carpet our floors. There are some things which are left up to us. And occasionally, we form traditions we follow around these sorts of things. These traditions are things which man originated, but which we do not force on others. Often these are a matter of convenience (for example, we assemble at 9:45 on Sunday mornings because that is a convenient time, as opposed to a different time each week.) Romans 14:1-13 deals with these things. At the same time, we must remember I Peter 2:13-17 and not misuse our liberty. We must remember that Christ, and His will, always comes first.
Next, we turn our eyes to tradition which God finds displeasing in the extreme. When man originates something and then makes it binding on others, it is an evil tradition. This generally takes two forms. One is replacing one of God's traditions with a man-made tradition. The other is adding a man-made tradition to God's tradition. In Matthew 15:1-13, Christ expressly condemns this sort of tradition. In Galatians 1:13-17, Paul writes of the religious traditions he followed earlier in his life, which caused him to persecute the church. Colossians 2:8-10 warns against being cheated by man by traditions. Titus 1:10-16 warns against following fables and commandments of men. I Peter 1:13-21 addresses aimless conduct taught by tradition. We must be careful not to add or replace any part of what God has said in the scriptures. When we do so, we oppose Christ. Likewise, we must careful not to adhere to such man-made doctrines, lest we lose our soul.
The last sort of tradition is also one that is evil. It occurs when God has established something, and decreed that man should follow in it, yet men obey only our of rote habit, and not out of devotion fervent obedience to God. This was a problem in the days of Isaiah, as shown in Isaiah 29:13-14 and Isaiah 1:11-20. The people at that time were keeping the laws given to them by God. But they held no meaning for the people. They simply followed them by habit and without thought. We must be careful to never follow God in such a way! Indeed, the Bible teaches that He finds such obedience to be just as repugnant as disobedience.
Let us follow the traditions as given to us in the scriptures by God! Let us turn away from such man-made doctrines as imperil our soul. Let us strive to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
An Obedient Faith
Often we speak of faithful obedience. And rightly so. Whatever good we may do on this earth is without meaning unless it is done out of faith in the Lord. But often, we neglect to flip the phrase around the other way, and consider faith as obedience.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John 3:23
Here, John writes that we are commanded to believe. Faith isn't something that simply happens to us. Rather, we consider the evidence provided (John 20:30-31) and choose to obediently decide based on the word (Romans 10:17). Indeed, Jesus was asked about this subject (John 6:22-40), and responded in verse 29:
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
The context tells us that this belief is not something that God does or has done, but rather, it something that we must all do if we wish to follow the Lord. In short, we are commanded to believe, and so, being obedient, we choose to do so.
We can see this same obedient faith in the great heroes of the Bible as well. In the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, we see this obedient faith in Abel (v 4), in Noah (v 7), in Abraham (v 8-10, 17), in Isaac (v 20), in Jacob (v 21), in Joseph (v 22), in Moses (v 24-28), in the Israelites (v 29, 30) and in Rahab (v 31). Faith is held not outside of obedience, but in obedience.
Which of course begs a question. Is it the only thing we must obey the Lord in? Is our obedient faith an intellectual acceptance, and that's the end of our obedience? Of course not. If we obey in one part, we should obey in all parts. Just as we should obey the command to believe, we should obey the Lord's other commands, whether of baptism (Acts 10:48), of repentance (Acts 17:30), of assembling (Hebrews 10:25), of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19), of prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17), of holiness and purity (I Peter 1:15-16), or in regard to anything else of which the Lord has spoken.
Just as we cannot hope to be pleasing to God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), it is impossible to be pleasing to God if we do not obey His other commandments. Either we walk with Him wholeheartedly and completely, or we do not walk with Him at all.
Take a few moments and consider: Do you have faith, as required by God? Do you continue to wholeheartedly follow the Lord's other commands? Or are there limits as to you willingness to obey the Lord?
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John 3:23
Here, John writes that we are commanded to believe. Faith isn't something that simply happens to us. Rather, we consider the evidence provided (John 20:30-31) and choose to obediently decide based on the word (Romans 10:17). Indeed, Jesus was asked about this subject (John 6:22-40), and responded in verse 29:
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
The context tells us that this belief is not something that God does or has done, but rather, it something that we must all do if we wish to follow the Lord. In short, we are commanded to believe, and so, being obedient, we choose to do so.
We can see this same obedient faith in the great heroes of the Bible as well. In the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, we see this obedient faith in Abel (v 4), in Noah (v 7), in Abraham (v 8-10, 17), in Isaac (v 20), in Jacob (v 21), in Joseph (v 22), in Moses (v 24-28), in the Israelites (v 29, 30) and in Rahab (v 31). Faith is held not outside of obedience, but in obedience.
Which of course begs a question. Is it the only thing we must obey the Lord in? Is our obedient faith an intellectual acceptance, and that's the end of our obedience? Of course not. If we obey in one part, we should obey in all parts. Just as we should obey the command to believe, we should obey the Lord's other commands, whether of baptism (Acts 10:48), of repentance (Acts 17:30), of assembling (Hebrews 10:25), of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19), of prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17), of holiness and purity (I Peter 1:15-16), or in regard to anything else of which the Lord has spoken.
Just as we cannot hope to be pleasing to God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), it is impossible to be pleasing to God if we do not obey His other commandments. Either we walk with Him wholeheartedly and completely, or we do not walk with Him at all.
Take a few moments and consider: Do you have faith, as required by God? Do you continue to wholeheartedly follow the Lord's other commands? Or are there limits as to you willingness to obey the Lord?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Itching Ears
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
We see many who follow after men who tell them exactly what they want to hear: That serving God brings earthly riches, fame, or power. That after conversion it is impossible to forfeit salvation. That God is accepting of everyone without them making change in their life. And we see much condemnation of speaking the gospel in all its simplicity and truth. Indeed, at times those who speak the truth feel much as Paul did.
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
And it is easy to look around and point our fingers at people who so obviously have found teachers that will tickle their itching ears. And it is easy to point at the teachers doing the tickling. But let us, as always, make application to our own lives. Do we close our ears to those things that we do not want to hear? Or do we truly want to hear the word of God?
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
Do your ears itch? And if so, what do they itch for? For something that is pleasant and pleasing and requires little or no effort? Or for something that is true, solid, and has an eternal reward?
II Timothy 4:1-4
In this passage, Paul essentially tells Timothy two things. The first is that he should constantly speak the word of God. He should teach and preach constantly and with devotion, using it wisely and with the proper attitude. And he warns Timothy that some will not want to hear the word of God, but will seek out men saying what they want to hear. And indeed, we can look around and see many who have done just that. We see many who follow after men who tell them exactly what they want to hear: That serving God brings earthly riches, fame, or power. That after conversion it is impossible to forfeit salvation. That God is accepting of everyone without them making change in their life. And we see much condemnation of speaking the gospel in all its simplicity and truth. Indeed, at times those who speak the truth feel much as Paul did.
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16
And it is easy to look around and point our fingers at people who so obviously have found teachers that will tickle their itching ears. And it is easy to point at the teachers doing the tickling. But let us, as always, make application to our own lives. Do we close our ears to those things that we do not want to hear? Or do we truly want to hear the word of God?
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
John 6:60-61
There were times that the disciples had this problem as well. When they heard something that didn't sound like what they wanted to hear, they murmured. When we hear from a teacher or read in scripture something that seems to be aimed at our lives, how do we respond? Do we seek correction as Jeremiah did? Or do we murmur and complain? If we make application, we please God. If we complain and decide that the teacher/preacher is just wrong and mean, we have itching ears.Do your ears itch? And if so, what do they itch for? For something that is pleasant and pleasing and requires little or no effort? Or for something that is true, solid, and has an eternal reward?
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