A Minute With The Bible Aired during January, 2001
"Is it a lawful for a man to put away his
wife?" was asked by the Pharisees as they sought to entrap Jesus
Christ in Matthew 10:2. The Lord asked them what Moses taught. They
answered, but had no real understanding as to why the old Law was
written as it was. This gave the Lord an opportunity to express the
truth in regard to marriage and divorce. Jesus pointed out that in
marriage, the man and woman become "one flesh." He enjoined them not
to "put asunder" what God had "joined together." The Lord's teaching
was plain: marriage is a lifetime relationship. To put away a mate
without the grounds of adultery, is to ignore theb will of Christ.
Our society has ignored, to a large degree, the teachings of the Lord
on this subject. Do not make the mistake of the Pharisees and others
of that day and give an interpretation to the marriage laws of the
New Testament that violates the plain teaching of the Lord. Marry for
life and remain with your mate.
"What commandment is the first of all?' was asked the Lord by one of
the scribes of his day(Mark 11:28). Jesus replied by pointing out
that "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength"(v.
29). The demands of Christ are evident: To please God, one must be
willing to give full devotion to His Creator. When one has love for
another, one's interest lies in pleasing the object of affection. If
one loves the Lord, the aim is to please the Lord by drawing near to
him by following his commandments. In fact, one cannot separate love
from obedience. The Lord said it so all could understand, "If ye love
me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). The apostles loved
the Lord for they sought to follow his commandments. The early
Christians loved the Lord for they longed for the word of God and
sought to faithfully obey the New Testament. So it is today. Do I
love the Lord?
"Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" is the question the
high priest asked of Jesus(Mark 14:61). The Lord responded by saying,
"I am"(v. 62). Responding to his reply, the high priest charged him
with "blasphemy." The others joined in by stating he was "worthy of
death." To further humiliate God's Son, they begin to spit upon him
and "buffet" him. These leaders of the Jews demanded he "prophecy"
and began to abuse him with "blows of their hands"(v. 65). Delivering
the Lord to Pilate, everything was now in motion to destroy the
threat to the religious teachers of the day. Given another
opportunity to release the Lord by Pilate, they would cry, "Crucify
him"(v. 13). You know the rest of the story, the Lord suffered, bled,
and died on the cross of Calvary. The crucifixion did not stop the
Lord. Arising from the dead, he made it possible for all who would
obey him to be free of sin. Are you following Him?
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born
blind?" was asked Jesus by his disciples(John 9:2). The Lord pointed
out that the man did not suffer from the actions of his ancestors.
There was no Adamic sin passed to the man because of any ungodliness
in his parents. The "works of God" would "be made manifest in him"(v.
3). The Lord's mercy led him to make a paste and anoint the man's
eyes(v. 6). Jesus instructs him to go "wash in the pool of Siloam"(v.
7). When he complied with the Lord's instructions, he no longer would
have to beg, for he could see. There are two thoughts in this lesson:
(1) No person has sin passed down to him through his ancestors. Each
person is responsible for his own conduct. (2) In order to receive
benefits from the Lord, one must obey him. Are you responsible enough
to be willing to obey the Lord and receive eternal blessings?
"Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders,
but eat their bread with defiled hands?" is the question the
Pharisees had for the Lord in Mark 7:5. The washing of hands before
eating is a good health practice, but it is not some sort of
religious ritual. The Pharisees clung to "traditions." They ignored
the instructions of Moses; they loved their own ideas. They built up
human traditions, honoring what men said rather than what God said.
Men still do as those Pharisees of yesteryear. They invent to
themselves the doctrines of men and read the Bible in the light of
their own inventions. Jesus ignored the traditions of men and taught
them to obey the will of God. This angered the religious teachers of
his day. Yet, he did not cease to point out the truth. It is the
responsibility of any who would please the Lord in our day to avoid
the traditions of men. Just stick with God's book, and you will
please the Lord.
"Thou therefore that teacheth another, teachest thou not thyself?
thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?"(Romans
2:21). The answer to Paul's question was implied. The apostle was
warning the folks at Rome that they were not to preach one doctrine
and practice another. If one teaches not to steal, he is not to be
thief. All of us, including preachers and teachers, should remember
that we are to practice what we preach and teach. We are to teach the
truth and follow the truth. If we profess we believe in Christ, we
must believe in his words. If we profess we believe in the truths of
the New Testament, we are bound to follow the instructions thereof.
To do otherwise is hypocrisy. It is easier for one to say, "I will
accept and follow the New Testament of Jesus Christ," than it is to
follow His will. Yet, this was the expectation of Paul for those
Romans and for all others. Is your profession in keeping with your
behavior?
"For what saith the scripture?"(Romans 4:3). The question the apostle
Paul proposed to the Rome church of Christ is appropriate for any age
and for any group that desires to please the Lord. The scriptures are
the means by which we learn the word of God. At present, there is no
other standard. The Lord revealed His will for our age when he
completed the revelation of His New Testament. Since this completion,
there has not been, nor will there be any more revelations from God.
Jude 3 states that we are to contend earnestly for "the faith once
for all delivered unto the saints." That faith once delivered is all
that we have to establish religious standards for each of us. Paul
understood and taught such a principle in the passage we read in the
beginning. After Paul asked the question, he quoted from the
scriptures. Are we not bound to follow his example and seek to find
God's truth in the gospel?
"We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?"(Romans
6:2). The apostle is pointing out that when one becomes a Christian,
he is to avoid the old practices of transgression. Washed in the
blood of Christ through the gospel of Christ, one becomes a new man
after obedience to the Lord's will. He would point out to them in
verse 3 that they were baptized into Christ. Further, Paul points out
that following baptism, one is to walk in "newness of life." United
with Christ in the likeness of his death, the new Christian, washed
clean by the blood of Christ through baptism, for such a one to
continue in sin would be returning to the old life. The cleansed
disciple is to be dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus(verse 11).
While many church manuals and disciplines teach otherwise, the
message of the New Testament is that one obeys the gospel, is
cleansed by the blood, and is to live a righteous life in order to be
rewarded in heaven.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is
against us?"(Romans 8:31). The apostle Paul understood the providence
of God. He accepted that whatever happened to him would not deter him
from living for the one who died for him. There could(and would) be
tribulation, but Paul remained true to the Lord. Anguish would be his
lot, but he did not falter. Persecution would come, but he dared not
waver from the truth. Even if Paul suffered famine, he would not
renounce Christ. If it meant nakedness, peril, or even the sword, the
apostle pledged his allegiance to the Lord who suffered for him on
Calvary. In the confidence that God would care for him, he did not
give up his commitment to Jesus Christ and His truth. In Romans
8:38-39, he stated that nothing would be able to separate him from
the love of God. Would your love endure persecution? Would you die
for the Master, as did Paul?
"For who hath known the mind or the Lord? or who hath been his
counsellor?"(Romans 11:34). These two questions imply the superiority
and might of God over man. After all, Jehovah is divine; we are
human. We do not have the power to fully know the mind of the Lord.
We do not have the knowledge to instruct God. Man may try; man will
fail. How can I know, then, any of the will of God? By divine
revelation. He stated his will to Adam. He revealed his will to the
Hebrews of the Old Testament. And, during the apostolic age, His will
was made known through the apostles of Christ. Jehovah inspired these
men to speak His will to that generation and to record His word for
all the generations that would come thereafter. We can know the will
of God through that revelation, the New Testament. We can know and
will obey His will when we are willing to accept and follow the words
of Jesus Christ.
Paul asked the Galatians, "So then, am I become your enemy, by
telling you the truth?"(Galatians 4:16). Should you appear in court
as a witness, you are to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth. If you go to a lawyer, you expect the attorney to tell
you the whole truth. If you go to a physician, you will desire (even
demand) the truth about your condition. Each of you who have children
want the teacher to tell the truth. In fact, you will even punish
your children for not telling you the truth. In religion, it appears
to be different. When Paul told those folks the truth, some had a
negative reaction. People have not changed. There are those who
welcome the truth of God's word. They demand, in fact, that it be
presented. Others will stop short of what the Lord reveals and settle
on half-truths or falsehoods. Do not be fooled. Take your Bible to
see if I speak the truth; do the same thing with all religious
teachers. Demand the truth from God's word and nothing but the truth.
"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized
into the name of Paul?"(I Corinthians 1:13). The apostle Paul did not
want anyone to elevate him above Jesus Christ. However respectful and
thankful those people at Corinth, he instructed them not to think so
highly of him as to divide the body of Christ. Further, he wanted
them to understand who gave his life for them. Also, they were not
baptized in the name of Paul, but of Christ. His mission was not to
take the place of Jesus Christ, but rather to spread the good news
about the Son of God. No man is so righteous and pure to have a
church named after him or to administer baptism in his name. Our
world needs to learn this lesson. Churches are to belong to Christ
and be identified as belonging to him. Giving honor to Christ and God
is done by using the language of the New Testament to identify the
Lord's people.
"Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize?"(I Corinthians 9:24). Paul is teaching the people at
Corinth that one is to be so dedicated to Jesus Christ and His way
that one will endure as does a person who runs a race. Completing the
race for eternal life will bring the prize from God to those who thus
endure. The message is simple: do not give up on the journey to
eternal life. Paul further stated, "Even so run; that ye may attain."
The prize comes after the race, not before and not during the race.
While those taking part in the races of this life seek a material
crown, the ones who run the race for the Lord receive an
"incorruptible" prize. Paul acknowledged that he buffeted his body to
keep it under control in the race of righteousness. We encourage you
to determine that you will run that race with all other Christians.
"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving
to please men?" are the questions Paul asked Christians in Galatians
1:10. The focus is on what is one's desire in this world. Some of the
brethren had been listening to "another gospel." Paul wanted them to
know, no matter how impressive be the one who preached to them, if
they preached not the truth, they were to be anathema(verse 8). Paul
did not seek to please men; the apostles did not seek to please men;
the other inspired men of the New Testament did not seek to please
men. In the present age, those who are interested in pleasing God
above all, do not seek to please men. If it unfortunate that there
are many religiously minded people who adjust their faith and
practices based on what is acceptable to the present society. That IS
pleasing men. Paul said he would not do such, he sought the favor of
God. His example is the standard for those who want to do right.
The apostle Paul asked the Galatians, "What then is the
law?"(Galatians 3:19). The answer was stated in the same verse. "It
was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to
whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels
by the hand of a mediator." The Law of Moses was given to the Hebrews
to govern a physical nation and to seek to keep the purity of God's
people. Often, it was not respected or obeyed. Yet, to preserve the
seed of Abraham, it remained in force until the death of Christ. That
Law is no longer God's standard. However, the Law does contain a host
of great lessons for life. The Law of Moses itself served its purpose
and was taken out of the way (Colossians 2:14). To be subject to the
Law, one would be placed again in bondage. With the shedding of
Christ's blood and the establishment of his will, the Law of Moses
was abolished as a religious standard.
Does God reveal His will to mankind today? The answer to this
question can be found in Jude 3, "Beloved while I was giving all
diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was
constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for
the faith which was one for all delivered unto the saints." This
statement points out that God's will is complete and can be found in
the scriptures. When the last inspired man laid down his pen, all of
God's truth for the present had been revealed. It has been preserved
since that time in the New Testament. Those who speak of finding
truth outside of the New Testament are mistaken. It was revealed ONCE
FOR ALL! For almost 2000 years, the word of God has been the Lord's
standard for religious teaching and practice. There is no other
source for divine truth.
How important is baptism? has been asked by many people. The answer
is found in the Bible. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins"(Acts 2:38).
This message from the apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost clearly
states the necessity of one being immersed in water. A subject for
baptism must be one who believes in Jesus Christ, repents of sin, and
confesses Christ with the mouth. After baptism, the disciple is to
live a live of faithfulness to the word of God. This plan was taught
by all of the inspired men, obeyed by all who wanted to be Christians
in the days of the apostles, and is the pattern for those who desire
to please God at present. Have you followed the commands of God as
revealed in the New Testament?
Is salvation conditional? is a question often asked among religious
people. The Bible answer is found in Acts 2:37 when the people on
Pentecost asked, "What shall we do?" They understood from Peter's
sermon that some kind of action(s) was required before they could
receive salvation. The apostle replied by pointing out the plan of
salvation that came from God. When they were convicted, they met the
conditions set forth by Peter an became Christians. The conditions to
be acceptable to Jehovah have not changed. Each person in the days of
the apostles had to follow the commands of God(that made it
conditional). Today, one must accept and follow the instructions
found in the New Testament to be saved. One's salvation is based on
one's willingness to meet the conditions made by God.
Are all men responsible to obey the Law of Christ? The Bible answer
is in Mark 16:15, "And he(Jesus) said unto them, God ye into all the
world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." Jesus is telling
his disciples that every creature(person) is to be taught the gospel.
Each individual is to have the opportunity to hear the message of
truth as contained in the New Testament. It will be up to those who
hear to respond. We are not forcing anyone to become a Christian. We
simply teach them about Jesus Christ, His will, and the
responsibility that each human has to accept and obey that will. The
reward for responding to the Lord's commands is a home in heaven. The
Lord is willing for every person to enter heaven; every person should
want to go to heaven, if that person will accept and obey his truth.
How important is baptism? has been asked by many people. The answer
is found in the Bible. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins"(Acts 2:38).
This message from the apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost clearly
states the necessity of one being immersed in water. A subject for
baptism must be one who believes in Jesus Christ, repents of sin, and
confesses Christ with the mouth. After baptism, the disciple is to
live a live of faithfulness to the word of God. This plan was taught
by all of the inspired men, obeyed by all who wanted to be Christians
in the days of the apostles, and is the pattern for those who desire
to please God at present. Have you followed the commands of God as
revealed in the New Testament?
Can one be saved by faith only? The Bible answer is found in James
2:24, "Ye see that by works a man is justified and not by faith
only." If no other passage existed, this scripture states it plain
and simple enough for all to understand. Works only will not save
one; faith only will not save. However, when one works the works of
God by faith, such a person is doing as God has commanded. James
would also state, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,
even so faith apart from works is dead"(2:26). Obedience to the
gospel of Christ will place one in Christ. Following the New
Testament, one will work in the kingdom, doing all the commands of
God. The faith of the disciple will lead the disciple to follow the
will of Christ, always working for the Master. This is Bible faith.
What kind of faith do you have?
Will the good moral person go to heaven? The Bible answer: "Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in
heaven"(Matthew 7:21). In order to go to heaven, one MUST be a good
moral individual. However, morality alone will not save a person.
Obedience to the Lord, as pointed out in this passage, is the
criteria for salvation. Obviously, the good moral person who desires
to enter heaven will want to follow the commands of Jesus Christ.
Cornelius was a good moral person, but he was not a Christian until
he obeyed the gospel. All other examples in the New Testament point
out this save fact. Even Paul was a good moral person, but he was not
saved until he submitted to the will of Jesus Christ.