Bible Thoughts March 8, 1998 "But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing"(James 1:25).
When Jesus revealed his gospel through inspired men, He left a set of instructions and examples for all men everywhere to be able to read and follow. The New Testament was complete(meaning of "perfect") so that it could meet all of the desires of God by following what is contained therein. Thus, there is absolutely no use for "latter day" revelations.
Within that New Testament, Christ set forth His will in regard to everything that has to do with a person's salvation. Not only is the pattern of conversion applicable to every responsible person in this age, but the pattern of life, work, and worship for the Christian is revealed therein. Nor did the Lord neglect to give the appropriate instructions for His church(kingdom). There was a pattern of worship, work, and organization so clearly defined that any seeking the way of truth could understand it.
Two things often prohibit some from learning the truth: Ignorance or worldly education(wrongfully applied). In every age, there has been those who did not know the word of god and who had no appetite for things spiritual. Such ignorance prevented them from the open mindedness to follow the will of Jesus Christ. The second group became infatuated with worldly wisdom and builttheir concepts of what the New Testament is teaching on the influences of misguided humans. Too often, the question was not "What does the New Testament reveal?" but--instead--what was the "theological or Christalogical understanding?" As strongly as it can be said, "The Lord's church does not need a clergy to tell saints what the Bible teaches!" They can study and learn for themselves what is right by the examples of the early church, by the teachings of inspired men, and by the application of those principles for the life of a Christian and the church for which Christ died.
If one must go through the directions of men whose claim to fame is their reverence for "theological hermeneutics," we are all in trouble. When one stands before the Lord in the last day, the single factor by which we will be weighed is "According to my gospel, by Jesus Christ"(Romans 2:16).
The gospel of Christ describes a pattern of life, work, and worship for the people of God. From the time the gospel was revealed there have been those who would undermine the power of that gospel and who "will not endure the sound doctrine but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, turn aside unto fables"[or new hermeneutics-jy](II Timothy 4:3-4).
"Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work"(II Timothy 3:16-17).
The word complete that is translated from the original language literally means "to fit out...exactly right"(see W. E. Vine, p. 219). How appropriate to describe the scriptures that came from God. And they fit out exactly right "unto every good work." Do you suppose that Paul was telling Timothy that what he needed to be acceptable to God could be found in the New Testament of Jesus Christ? That is exactly what he was telling him! Since this is true, within the revelation of Jesus Christ can be found authority for all that is to be done by the Lord's people, whether as an individual or as a congregation.
The completeness of the scriptures is destroyed when traditions, the writings of men, feelings, noted brethren, ad infinitum, are placed above what Christ had to say in His New Testament. Only a deep respect for the word of God can prepare one to be with the Lord in eternity. Men may have great ideas and great projects, but none are as great as those that are revealed in the Bible.
Book, chapter, and verse preaching is still the order for evangelists of the present. It has been refreshing this week to listen to brother Connie Adams teach the message of Christ at Pine Hills in Orlando. As other gospel preachers, he stuck with the book and told it like God said it. Such preaching will not only produce obedience in the alien sinner, it will bring strength to the child of God. May the number of saints willing to follow the Lord's word continue to grow throughout the world.