“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 18:18-20)
Introduction:
You may have noticed that the first 3 passages deal with our attitude towards the Word of God and the last two with actions that emanate from having a good Word attitude. Interesting, right?
To obey God’s Word we must have an understanding of what the Word of God is about. Ignorance of the purpose of God’s Word leaves an individual incapacitated even though they may have the biggest Bible in the world.
In academic circles, there is a system of referencing and peer review. In other words, there is a process of scrutiny, examination and authentication which makes it impossible for unsubstantiated statements or works to be accepted and published. Current findings do not exist in a vacuum; there is always an interdependence between past and present findings and publications in a certain field of endeavour. This provides a system of legitimacy and integrity for academic work.
DO WE HAVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM IN CHRISTENDOM? Do we have a system of checks and balances? In speaking or disseminating information, what is the foundation? What is the basis for speaking or to put it another way, by what and whose authority are we speaking?
The Bible (The Word of God) should be the final authority. In fact everything we say, do or think must be subjected to the authority and inerrancy of the infallible Word of God.
Qualities of God's Word:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:8-11, AMP)
God’s ways and thoughts are different and superior to ours.
Consequently, we will not always understand His ways.
- We walk by faith and not by sight. We obey whether or not we understand or whether we like it or not. Peter did not understand when Jesus commanded him “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4), after a fruitless night of fishing. But he obeyed and the result was mind-boggling. Peter and his colleagues caught so much fish that their boats began to sink.
- The purpose for which God’s Word is spoken can never be thwarted.
There are at least 5 words that we must contend with when we think about the Bible. These words
Inerrancy - "Biblical inerrancy is the belief that the Bible "is without error or fault in all its teaching"; or, at least, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact".
Infallibility - “Biblical infallibility is the belief that what the Bible says regarding matters of faith and Christian practice is wholly useful and true. It is the "belief that the Bible is completely trustworthy as a guide to salvation and the life of faith and will not fail to accomplish its purpose."
Reliability - “Reliability is defined as the probability that a product, system, or service will perform its intended function adequately for a specified period of time, or will operate in a defined environment without failure.”
Efficacy - “The ability to produce a desired or intended result.”
Immutability - “Immutability is an attribute that is ascribed to God, which implies that God is unchanging in his nature.” "Now just like God is immutable, His Word is also immutable. The word of God is an extension of God Himself. God is spirit and while his presence and work can be felt, he remains invisible."
It is sheer insanity to seek the blessings of God’s Word without embracing the commands of His Word.
It is lunacy trying to separate God from His Word. People say they love Jesus but would not engage in Bible Study, Prayer Meetings, Evangelism, etc. [John 14:15]
It is rebellion (which is the sin of witchcraft, 1 Samuel 15:23) to deliberately misinterpret, misuse, misapply or even misrepresent the Word of God. A desire to manipulate God’s Word is an indication of a deep spiritual problem.
What is the implication of that? We cannot quote God’s Word indiscriminately; we must find out from God what His will is in every situation. In other words, we must be careful to use His Words correctly for what they were intended and for current situations.
Prophecy Fulfilled:
Daniel 9:24-27 - About 500 BC, Daniel proclaims that the Messiah would come at a set time. The fulfilment of this prophecy is recorded in Galatians 4:4-5 and the probability of fulfilment = 1 in 105.
Micah 5:2 - In approximately 700 BC, prophet Micah named Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. It's fulfilment is recorded in Matthew 2:5-6 and the probability of fulfilment = 1 in 105.
Zechariah 11:12-13 - About the fifth century BC, Zechariah declared that the Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. This was fulfilled as recorded in Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 27:3-4 and the probability of fulfilment = 1 in 1011.
Psalm 22:18 - The Messiah’s garments would be divided and gambled for. The fulfilment is recorded in John 19:24.
1 Kings 13:2 - A prophet said that a future king of Judah, named Josiah, would take bones of all the occultic priests in Israel and burn them on King Jeroboam's altar. It's fulfilment is recorded in 2 Kings 23:15-18, 300 years later. The probability of fulfilment = 1 in 1013
God is not obligated to support or confirm that which is spoken or written without due consultation with Him. The inerrancy, reliability, efficacy and infallibility of the Bible is proved by the fulfilment of biblical prophecy.
Jesus' birth, death and resurrection was prophesied by prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Isaiah 53. That came to pass. Jesus is the Living Word of God; the embodiment and personification of God’s Word and “is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3); “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15)
Our Response - Application of Scripture:
In the light of the above, we must have the right attitude to God’s Word, not just on Sunday but throughout the week; not just to get something through and from the Word of God but to live by what the Word of God says.
It's not about going for the Promises but obeying the Commands. No exceptions; No excuses; No misinterpretations; No manipulations!! The one blessed by God is the one who meditates on God’s Word day and night as we find in Psalm 1:1-2, Joshua 1:8 and Matthew 4:4.
We must be engaged in Evangelism (Mark 16:15)
Why? - We are commanded by God (Joshua 1:8)
How? - By the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
When? - Always (2 Timothy 4:2 - in season and out of season).
We must be involved in Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20). God has called each one of us to the ministry of reconciliation and has equipped us with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). MORMOR is an acronym for Ministry of Reconciliation and Message of Reconciliation and interestingly the Swedish word for grandfather and grandmother. God wants us to be spiritual grandfathers and grandmothers. Apostle Paul admonished his spiritual son, Timothy
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