A Minute With The Bible Aired during July, 1999 "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction"(Proverb 1:7). The process of learning and/or teaching is not easy. One must have the right attitude and the right motivation in order to learn. When it comes to God's word, one must possess the fear of Jehovah. It is not a "scared" type of fear, but rather a feeling of awe produced by the knowledge that I am human and Jehovah is divine. Many despise the word of God, avoid studying, and reject the messages of God. When we have the proper attitude toward God, we will gladly accept the messages that are found in the Bible. "Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy heart"(Proverb 3:3) is the proper way to seek and understand the message of God.
The Proverb writer said, "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother"(Proverb 1:8-9). The wisest of men, Solomon, knew the eternal truth of this passage. The responsibility of parental instruction is emphasized throughout the word of God. Where there are strong parents, dedicated to the paths of righteousness, a society is indeed blessed. Many problems arise because children do not listen to the wisdom and instruction of parents. It is also a misfortune that some parents do not live, speak, or act in such a manner to provide children with a pattern of life that pleases God. You instruct by word, but you also instruct by behavior. Be wise, parent, and teach your child what is right. "My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments"(Proverb 3:1).
Solomon said, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thounot"(Proverb 1:10). Satan never sleeps. He seeks the souls of those who are young and old alike. Solomon knew the power of his temptations. It is only fitting that he warn others of the dangers. Sin is attractive, and especially attractive to those who are young. The glitter of sin makes it appealing to the unwary. Those who are already under the influence of Satan will seek to entice others. This is what Solomon is warning the young about in this passage. The way to deal with enticement is to say NO. Solomon said it a long time before it was used by those in our day. If someone would lead you into sin, just say NO. Listen to righteous instruction "that thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous"(Proverb 2:20).
Solomon said, "Put away from thee a wayward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee"(Proverb 4:24). The use of properlanguage has been a challenge to mankind for a long time. With words, men stray from the truth and separate themselves from righteousness. Unfortunately, our society seems to be bound and determined to bring the "wayward mouth" and "perverse lips" into every avenue of life. Instead of sound words that promote truth and right, we are bombarded with gutter language that teach unrighteousness and show no regard for those things that are holy. Since words are the most often used method of communication, care should be taken to speak not only words of truth, but express such with wisdom, forethought, and grace. "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness"(Proverb 10:32).
Solomon said, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel"(Proverb 12:15). It is not easy to listen to someone else. Most of us value our thoughts and opinions above everyone else's. Especially can this happen to the young. We all want to believe that we are right, but we need to be sure that we are right, especially in matters that affect one's soul. One's own judgment is often flawed. The only proper guidance can be found in the counsel that comes from the Lord. The wise person in God's sight is the one who will seek the word of God, live by the word of God, and be prepared to be judged by the same. Always remember: "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death"(Proverb 12:28).
'And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?"(Genesis 3:9). The question that Jehovah asked of Adam was to deal with what Adam and Eve had done. They had sinned. Trying to hide themselves from God because they were afraid, the Lord was causing Adam to realize what they had done. What had they done? Eaten of the forbidden fruit and brought sin into the world. Sin would now be a problem for mankind. Every generation since Adam has suffered the consequences of that transgression. "Where art thou?" is a proper question for every person. Are you following the commands of Christ, or like Adam, are you in rebellion to His instructions? Only through the Bible can you know the answer. When we open the scriptures, we find that sin in any person can cause one to be lost. Freeing oneself from sin by obedience to the gospel is the only way to be safe. So--Where art thou?
"And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest"(Acts 9:5). Men question the existence of Jesus Christ, as well as his claim to be the Son of God. As this persecutor of the faithful journeyed on the road to Damascus to do further harm to Christ's followers, the Lord appeared to him. Saul's question of "who art thou?" was most appropriate. The Lord told him that he was the one whom he persecuted, that is, as he put men and women who served the Lord in prison, he was, in reality, opposing Jesus Christ. Saul of Tarsus was convicted of his sins and transgressions, obeying the gospel as he is baptized for the remission of his sins, and became the apostle Paul. The years he spent in teaching and strengthening the disciples of Christ made up for all the persecuting that Paul inflicted. If you do not know Paul's Lord, you need to study your Bible.
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?"(Acts 2:37). The people on Pentecost, convicted of their sins, asked the proper question, "What shall we do?" They were convinced that Jesus was the Christ and that he arose from the dead. Since this proves him to be the Son of God, they wanted to know how to be redeemed. The apostle Peter, speaking with the other apostles, said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." A simple reply telling them to obey the truth from God. They could be cleansed of their transgressions and receive the promise of the Holy Spirit(eternal life). This message, first preached on Pentecost, would be preached in all the world in the days of the apostles. It is still God's message to alien sinners.
"And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"(Matthew 24:3). False teachers have sought to answer these questions since the days of the apostles. Like the Watchtower Society, they have missed it every time--for the world still exists. Many are excited about the year 2000 and all sorts of claims will be made by mystics and seers. If the Lord does come on a day they prophesy, no one will be more surprised than the false prophets. Jesus answered the disciples' questions in Matthew 24 when he told of the destruction of Jerusalem and Matthew 25:13 concerning his coming, "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour." Nobody knows WHEN the Lord will come. We must be prepared at all times through obeying the New Testament.
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and her husband with her, and he did eat"(Genesis 3:6). Jehovah had given the first couple access to all of the trees except for the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." He warned them they would die in the day they ate thereof. Exercising their freedom of choice, they did what God forbid. It was their choice. Unlike animals, who live by instinct, man lives by reason. However, his power of reasoning must be directed in the correct path. Man, as a free moral agent, makes choices. However, he must accept the consequences of those choices. For Adam and Eve, they were cast from the garden and denied access to the tree of life. The process of death started that day.
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah"(Joshua 24:15). Joshua presented a choice to the people of Israel on that day. They could look to the idols of Egypt for help, they could look to the idols of the Canaanites, or they could serve Jehovah. It would be up to them for man is a free moral agent, choosing his own destiny. They would need to remember that choices bring results and/or consequences. The proper choice would cause blessings; the improper choice would bring only sorrows and heartaches. However, they did have that choice and Joshua would not force them to accept the paths of righteousness. Each individual must make a choice.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls"(Matthew 11:29). Man can choose to obey God. Contrary to the belief of some, he is not pre-destinated to eternal life or eternal damnation. Jesus assures all of mankind in this passage that they can learn of the Lord and His way. They can take his yoke and find rest for their souls. Whatever one has done in the past, by following the Lord, he can be acceptable to Jehovah. Such a choice is up to the individual. The decision rests within the person's own mind(soul). The choice to do right belongs to each person. One finds how that choice is made by hearing and accepting the word of God. The instructions in the gospel of Christ will allow one to make the choice to follow the Lord and someday be in heaven. It is up to you: no one can make it for you.
"And as he(Paul) reasoned of righteousness, and self- control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season I will call thee unto me"(Acts 24:25). Felix is making a choice. His choice was to turn away from the message of Paul and the teachings of Christ. To our knowledge, Felix never had a "convenient season" to listen to the apostle again. He would have to suffer the consequences of his decision to reject the gospel preached by Paul. Any person can choose not to accept the truth and obey God. That "freedom" of choice belongs to the individual. Jehovah does not want those to serve him who have been forced into subjection. God desires that anyone who chooses to serve him do so with a full consent of the mind. We encourage you not to be as Felix saying to the message of truth, "Go thy way," but accept the gospel of Christ.
"And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation"(Acts 2:40). The apostles had just related to those assembled Jews how they had crucified the Son of God. Peter continued to teach the multitude and encouraged them to "save yourselves." Jesus had done his part; he died for them. The apostles had done their part, they taught the gospel to them. Now it was up to the ones who were assembled. Peter's message presented a choice they had to make: accept the words of truth from the inspired men or reject what they had to say. It would be up to each person to make that decision for they were free moral agents, so created by Jehovah. No one can make that choice for another-- even though some may try--it is in the power of the individual soul and must be made by the person.August, 1999 September, 1999 October, 1999 November, 1999 December, 1999 January, 2000 June, 2000 July, 2000 August, 2000 September, 2000 October, 2000 November, 2000 December, 2000 January, 2001 February, 2001 March, 2001 April, 2001 May, 2001 June, 2001 July, 2001 August, 2001 September, 2001 October, 2001 November, 2001 December, 2001 January, 2002 February, 2002 March, 2002 April, 2002 May, 2002 Home Page