Thoughts Worth Thinking

DOES IT MATTER WHAT is written?

Several years ago, while studying speech in college, the professor said, “You cannot be quoted for something you never said.” While the hope of such a statement is true, the reality has seen many “words put in mouths” that never uttered a thing! Frankly, the same is true of the pen and paper: some are harsh enough to never document their quotations, assertions, etc. English composition classes insist on bibliographies confirming the information recorded in theses of every description. CONFIRMATION of statements bolstering one’s declaration is indeed the very element that grants authority to the writing. The careful Bible student recognizes the Scriptures and the “bibliography” included in the very text! Please take note: we are not talking about a “concordance” or “commentary;” we are talking about the text of Scripture itself bearing its own “footnote of bibliography” if you please.

“As sayeth the prophet” e.g., is frequently recorded in the New Testament in reference to the declarations of the inspired apostles, as well as Luke and John. In the Old Testament, references to holy men of God are frequent when reading the writings of Joshua, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, et al, and all the “minor” prophets. When one ponders the authenticity of these authors and those they quote, the Scriptures answer by declaring, “Holy men of God spake in times past as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21) After all, the TRUE author is God (Heb. 1:1 -2) and He is NOT the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).

When composing LAW in our country, the “author of the bill” must submit that writing to extreme scrutiny in order to prove its accuracy and validity before it becomes LAW. But since God has no superior (Heb. 6:13), He spoke and His law was law (Heb.1:1-2). Such was the case when He spoke to Adam and Eve, when God spoke from Sinai, and when He spoke by way of His Son (ibid.) Our responsibility is to OBEY Him (Heb.2:1-4). Since only God wrote the law, only God could change the law; and He did when it pleased Him (Heb. 10: 1- 10). Search all he might, man will never find amendments to His law. The New Testament supersedes all other law; including the ten commandments which were part of the Old Testament (Heb. 10:1-10; John 12:44 – 50; Acts 10:31; et al). Revelation 22:18 – 19 forbids our adding to or subtracting from that which is written in THIS new law. Therefore, it DOES matter what is written!

That said, man has nonetheless foolishly attempted additions and subtractions to God’s Law – in spite of the written penalty for such action. Worse, many souls have foolishly challenged God’s Word in its entirety in attempt to completely discredit its content as “sacred.” Strange as it may seem, BOTH of these wicked actions are founded in the same evil: distain for God’s Law! Yet, in all their feeble attempts to do so, man has never accomplished a better law by which to conduct himself in this world! Their attempts require compliance to man and alienation from God (regardless of how “godly” their words may appear) for the simple fact man’s law always has contradiction with God’s Law! Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matt. 12:30)

There is no “room for improvement” in the Scriptures! If there were, just where would it be found? Further, if the Scriptures require improvement, what else has God failed to do in perfect fashion? And if He is imperfect, then we are told to be “imperfect” (see Matt. 5:48).

When John closed his biography of Jesus Christ, he wrote, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (Jn. 20:30-31) We grant we do not have “all that Jesus did.” We don’t need it! Why? “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:3) Still, too many (some even among our brethren) are not satisfied, contented and filled with the Word of God! They are desirous of things “about” it, instead of desirous of IT! Therefore, many are led into “what if …” thinking, and “we just can’t see anything wrong …” actions. What happened to the “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” approach to God and His Word?

Does it matter what is written? Absolutely! It is THIS word that must dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Col.3:16). It frightens me that many (sadly, including brethren) are ignoring the plain writing of the Scripture, and indulging their own lusts to the satisfaction of the flesh! Such adventures will not save the soul; it will instead cost the soul eternity with God! “Study to show thyself approved unto God,” does NOT include man’s word – it most certainly included “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” It most certainly matters what He has written. Will you read, learn and obey it and it alone?

Mike’s Musings ….

I DON’T WANT TO BUT …

It’s been nearly fifty years since I last endured actual “surgery.” I’m not one to “enjoy” hospital stays anyway (and there have been several in the past year and a half) but facing “surgery” isn’t one of the things I’m eager to accept. Granted, it’s supposed to be “out-patient.” But then I have to stay overnight, and there is that possibility of more invasive surgery. No, I don’t WANT to have it, but there isn’t any choice: in order to return to a degree of better health, I must!

To some extent, I can understand the reluctance of those who know they need to obey the gospel, but just don’t want to! They have no problem with realizing their required change of life (called repentance), and their admission of Christ Jesus as the only begotten Son of God (called confession). Most have no problem with being immersed by the authority of Christ for the remission of their sins (called baptism). It is simply they don’t want to: nothing more and nothing less. It is as they say, “Accept me as I am, Lord. Otherwise, I’m not obeying You.” (Strange, they wouldn’t allow their children to do that --- and they know they can’t act that way to an employer!)

Change, especially when it involves LIFE changes, is not easy. Lessons that we thought we’d mastered have to be re-learned because of some changes we encounter physically. The same is true spiritually. There are some who all their lifetime believed they “had it right,” but when confronted with the TRUTH of God’s Word, find they must change not only what they believed, but often what they practiced. Such changes are not easy for many: nonetheless they are required for SPIRITUAL HEALTH.

Just as it takes courage to face physical surgery, and faith in the surgeon to know his work and do it correctly, the same is true for the soul needing the healing of the Great Physician! It takes courage to obey God; and it takes faith to know God is not wrong! He is our Creator and therefore knows us better than we know ourselves! When we are “circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,” (Col.2:11) we become the patient at the skill of this Great Physician. Obedience to His commandments is our doing – providing the completeness of this spiritual healing is His work!

At the very least, such changes “hurt.” A very wise man once told me, “It will feel better the minute it quits hurting.” Physical changes often hurt – but the change sure feels better as soon as the hurt ends. Friends, sin hurts worse! It’s deadly! The sooner it is removed, the sooner the soul heals, and just as soon as the blood of Christ washes away the sin, the soul feels the best its ever felt! You may not want to from the standpoint of the flesh: but don’t you realize it is essential to the eternal well being of the soul? Muse on the fact you may not want to … but the alternative is eternal death!