Monday, April 01, 2013

Wrong Thoughts About the Word of God

Oh, how sad to think that God, who sent His only Son to save us and win us for all of eternity, would then leave us without any instruction, as orphans, subject to sin and sorrow. What a devastating thought! Unfortunately this thinking is prevalent in many circles.

What a heinous accusation! And who, you say, would dare lay such accusation at our Lord's feet? Such claims could be accepted from unbelievers; indeed I suggest they are expected from those who make no declaration of knowing His salvation power and promise! But sadly this claim comes from some of His own children. Through implied failure on His part to adequately school and instruct His children, they in essence lay claims of abandonment, of being left as orphans, alone and unknowing.

There are those who believe that the Holy Scripture is not able to instruct us in righteousness, claiming a lack of clarity and consistency. Some even boast an absence of absolute truth. To them I submit Paul's writing.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.     2 Tim. 3:16,17 NLT
And in a second version:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,  so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.     2 Tim. 3.16,17 GNT

Some say that Scripture is faulty and not trustworthy for instruction in specific applications universally, saying it is not for all people in all places at all times, claiming a lack of relevancy in the Word. I submit from the book of Hebrews the following.
 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.    Hebrews 13.8 NKJ
And also from Isaiah.
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.    Isaiah 40.8 NKJ

If one adopts a negative posture regarding the efficacy of the Word of God, there is an implied accusation that God has left us "undone" and without proper instruction for living out this life for Him.

"Be Holy, even as I am Holy" -- but good luck figuring out how! What a nasty trick, what an unjust thing to do, what a cruel promise! (For indeed He promises to teach us His Holy ways and how to walk uprightly.)
Good and right is the Lord. So He teaches sinners in His ways.  He leads those without pride into what is right, and teaches them His way.          Psalm 25.8,9  NLV
And also from Isaiah:
And their people will say,
“Let us go up the hill of the Lord,
    to the Temple of Israel's God.
He will teach us what he wants us to do;
    we will walk in the paths he has chosen.
For the Lord's teaching comes from Jerusalem;
    from Zion he speaks to his people.”   Isaiah 2.3 GNT
I don't know. That sounds like a wonderful promise to me. I remember as a young believer falling on my knees in grateful tears when I read His promise to teach me His way. How beautiful is Holiness. How far from Holy my life had been. What joy comes from walking with the Lord and trusting His promise!

I want to say boldly that assertions of fault, errancy, and irrelevance in regard to Scripture are not merely robbery against His people, stripping them of essential truth and blessing, but grave accusations against God Himself as our glorious Father and provider. He is faithful and just forever. And He is our portion.