Bible Thoughts

November 14, 2004

"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned"(Matthew 12:37)

The primary method of communication is through the words that are spoken or written. While there are other ways to communicate, the use of words far exceeds any of the other means that humans use to express themselves. Jesus pointed out in the above that one can condemn or justify even self by one's speech. Words express ideas--ideas come from the heart(mind). The gospel are the words of Jesus Christ--when one obeys those words, he is "justified." When he rejects those words, he will be "condemned."

"It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profited nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life"(John 6:63).

The communication between God and man in this age is through the words that are written by inspiration. In this passage, the Lord pointed out the value of the words that He spoke. Speech is often spoken in a fleshly manner that has no profit(often detrimental). When the flesh controls what a person is saying, it lacks the profit that will give growth to the person speaking as well as being a corruption of the one who believes such words. For one to have the "life" that Christ desires of all men, it is necessary to not only accept the words of those who are inspired, but we must be willing to apply the teachings that are revealed in the New Testament of Jesus Christ. Christians learn that we are to "speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent."

"Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me" (John 14:23-24).

John certainly points out that one who loves the Lord will do as the Lord commands. There are multitudes that say they love the Lord but fail to follow the New Testament of Jesus Christ. This scripture is emphatic about who it is that loves the Lord: it is the one who keeps His commands found in the revelation of Jesus Christ. When one begins to follow his own ways, the ways of others, the human doctrines found in the disciplines and manuals of denominationlism, he is not following the Lord. Not one single denomination can prove they love the Lord when their doctrines come from men(all of them), not God! When one believes the Gospel of Christ, he will obey the following passage: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all"(Ephesians 4:4-6). Not one peculiarity of any denomination can be found in the New Testament.

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you"(John 15:7).

The Lord accepts the petitions of those who are committed to His way. When the "words" of truth are respected and obeyed, the Lord will answer the prayers of the righteous. When spoken in harmony with the New Testament, the Lord will answer any prayer of the faithful. The answer may be no or it may be yes or it could be conditional. The faithful Christian realizes the Lord answers all prayers--even when the answer does not agree with what the praying person may desire. The Lord knows better than us what we need. When one accepts the answer he is respecting the Lord and the commandments of the Lord.

One the day of Pentecost, Peter said, "Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear to my words"(Acts 2:14).

The words of this passage are the gospel of Jesus Christ. The people who were listening were learning the commands of the Lord under the new dispensation. They were familiar with the Old Testament, now they would become aware of the New Testament of Jesus Christ. They are asked by the apostle to listen to what was being said by the inspired men of that day. Would it not be wonderful if all men were willing to "give ear" to the truth? The message was plain; the commands were straightforward; they were listening to the way they could erase their sins and be saved by the instructions of God. Words have two functions: to express one's thoughts and to teach others. Peter, an inspired apostle, expressed the thoughts from God and urged others to follow the scriptures.

"But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness"(Acts 26:25).

The words of the Gospel are not limited to a few who assemble on the first day of the week. The "words of truth and soberness" are for all of mankind. While there are those who ridicule the message of Jesus Christ, we search for the person(s) who will listen to the truth and become Christians. Only words of "truth and soberness" can be used to influence the multitudes. While human churches use all kinds of gimmicks in order to swell their membership, the Lord's church speaks only the truths(words) of the gospel.

"If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain"(I Timothy 6:3-5).

Oh, how a man's speech can get him in trouble both in the world and in the Kingdom. This writer doubts that there is not a person reading this that has, at times, been hasty in speech and regretted what was said. However, those of whom Paul is identifying are the ones who create much trouble in various congregations. Paul identified the motive of those wanting to secure the offerings of this world while ignoring the spiritual values that come through serving Jesus Christ. The Lord does not offer material substance in exchange for eternal life. "Work out your own salvation" is the message for all disciples of Christ. The majority seek a religion that pleases them without searching the New Testament for the religion of Jehovah and Jesus Christ.