Seek truth and defend it

The Bible tells me to contend or strive for the faith that was given to all genuine believers (Jude 3). This statement also reveals that God makes truth known to His people — and it is up to us to make sure it it not abandoned or forgotten, first in my own life and then in the lives of others who also know it.

In my years of leading Bible studies, I’ve noticed that when truth is spoken, most Christians do not argue with it. Some might say, “I know that, but. . . .” and express what is making that particular truth a problem for them, usually because of contrary circumstances. Just pointing out a promise from God or a truth related to their issue often changes the ‘but’ to a praise.

Teaching truth helps us spot any lies that bombard our minds and lives. While some might yawn at the word ‘doctrine’ it should not put anyone to sleep but wake us up. Doctrine is not based upon static and dead ideas but upon living truths to be cherished and defended.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Doctrine is based not only on the Word  of God, but also on the character of God and correct interpretation of what He is saying. Sometimes even well-meaning Christians pick up a single teaching without considering the total teaching of the Bible. This is one reason that we need to be in communion with one another. Open discussion often reveals truth that I’d not seen before or that was interpreted without considering other sections of the Bible. I’m responsible to seek all that God says, not just the parts that appeal to me, and not just what I hope to be true.

Again, the Bible is its own authority. I can consider other authorities, but this is not an intellectual exercise. Reason and tradition play a role, but the most important consideration is that God uses His Word, both written and living, to reveal Himself to me and change my life. His goal is to transform me to be like Jesus.

Not only that, all other sources for understanding, such as personal experience, reason, or tradition must be judged by Scripture, not the other way around. If this is not held vital, false teachings and heresies inevitably follow. My relative who believes the Bible is the Word of God has nevertheless followed the teachings of a cult. Instead of Sola Scriptura (meaning Scripture alone is the final and controlling authority for all true Christian teaching and doctrinal formulation) this person trusts whatever his cult leaders say to be true.

Every Christian expresses their beliefs in some doctrinal form, whether highly developed or rudimentary. We must so we can “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) God reveals it and we defend it. False teaching is a constant threat to biblical integrity. Wisdom says:

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:2–5)
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him. (Titus 3:10)

PRAY: Jesus, You are the truth and lies are so dangerous to me besides being contrary to all that You are. Because you live in me, truth is precious. While no one person can express all truth, I need to be willing to examine and be corrected by Scripture. Enable me to seek truth always, for in seeking it, I am seeking You and wanting to more deeply know You. Amen.

Precept upon precept, line upon line . . .

 

Most writers of nonfiction order their material in logical outline, stating a truth and then giving more information about that truth. The idea is to make it clear, easy to understand, and easy to read and apply. The more complex the topic, the more this manner of writing is used.

The Bible is not written like that. My first reaction is that God did not want mere intellectual understanding without faith. Instead, He wanted to reveal truth in a way that faith is required to receive it. Not only that, faith is not complete in its onset. It is more like a child taking his father’s hand without a clue where he will be led, then discovering in the journey how much his father can be trusted.

As for the writing of this enduring Bible of nonfiction, it has one main purpose: God wants to reveal Himself to us:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1–2)

The OT is like peeking at the future. Its readers did not get a full picture of the Son that was to come, but they were given glimpses of Him and His purpose for revealing God to us in a human body. One of the reasons is that we needed to see God’s Laws lived out in this perfect, sinless One. Jesus said:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)

By doing this, Jesus showed that God’s revelation of truth, His nonfiction story, progressed from promise to fulfillment, from partial to complete. This is called progressive revelation in that the OT anticipated Christ’s coming; the New Testament records His coming.

Just like a new Christian cannot immediately grasp the meaning of the entire Bible, The OT writers didn’t understand everything they wrote. For one thing, it didn’t always apply to their day. That’s why Peter said,

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10–12)

This does not imply that the OT is inaccurate, nor that its readers were without full faith in God. Those who read it in its entirety along with the NT begin to realize that any distinction isn’t in the rightness or wrongness of the revelation but in its completeness. Just as a child progresses from letters to words to sentences, so God’s revelation progressed from types, ceremonies, and prophecies to final completion in Jesus Christ and the NT.

Some do think the OT is incomplete by New Testament standards or that it is totally unnecessary reading now that we have the NT and the covenant of grace. However, the OT is also fully inspired by God and that truth is affirmed often in the NT:

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)

We need to remember that these NT writers did not have the full NT when they wrote the above affirmations. Also, while the OT isn’t all of God’s truth, all of it is true. As it is read, God reveals His character and His plan for redemption. It is like a vista unfolding before us while we walk along a path, even though that vision and those truths are not put in a logical, easy-to-understand order like editors insist upon today. The only way to see the wonder of what God reveals is by reading it, applying what is seen, and continuing to read, trusting God to make Himself known in the marvel of what He has breathed into the hearts and pens of His human servants.

PRAY: Jesus, Your Word is like You reciting into my heart what You want me to know. At times, some of it seems garbled or vague, but when Your Spirit gives clarity, it always gives me truth that I need for the things that are happening in my life or in the world around me. Some might critique the writing style, but the endurance of Your Book proves that You are the greatest author and You know exactly how to use words to change lives.

PONDER: how can my faith respond to 2 Timothy 3:16–17 and 2 Peter 3:16?

 

 

Step into Freedom

 

The Twelve-Step program used by AA and NA are not just for alcoholics and substance abuse. They are principles based on biblical truths that enable anyone to overcome any sin. Too often critics will consider these twelve actions to be pat answers or too simple or just for the desperate, but they make plain the actions needed by those struggling against sin and a selfish lifestyle.

The first one is honesty. For those who go to AA, it is about an honest admission of being powerless to control a drinking problem. For everyone, it is an honest admission of being powerless over the power of any sin, over the desire to run my own life and ignore or reject what God wants for me.

MacArthur has focused on the character and benefits of God’s Word, and points to the bottom line: it is the way that He trains us to be righteous, to live the way He intended. This will involve doing good as well as being good, actions as well as attitudes.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

A twelve-step person told us that the hardest part is admitting their own rottenness. For this, the Holy Spirit gives us a hand-up by convicting us of sin and encouraging confession. God’s involvement is like that of a parent who disciplines an erring child. This is painful but necessary and an act of love on His part.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5–11)

Just as He disciplines, God also feeds me. My part is to go to Him with my hunger, acknowledging that Scripture is my spiritual nourishment. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) and Peter added that I need to “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3)

James added the same thing: “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21) and MacArthur notes that trying to feast on Scripture without confessing sin is like attempting to eat a meal while wearing a muzzle.

It is true that the Word of God will keep me from sin, or sin will keep me from opening God’s Book. I need to keep short accounts and not lose my appetite so that He can speak to me, refresh me, and remind me of all that He is and does.

PRAY: Lord, I’ve faced temptation already today, but remembered truth from Your Word and walked away. You are an awesome, gracious and loving God who wants the best for me. Thank You for nourishing my spirit and giving me an appetite for more!

PONDER: These two passages give me two thoughts:

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Philippians 3:1)

It should never be a bother to remind others of spiritual truth. It is for their protection and success.

Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12–15)

It is good to be reminded of things I already know so that I can recall them when the need arises. Do not ever excuse learning with, “Oh, I already know that” but meditate on repeated lessons; the repetition indicates that they are important now and in the future.