Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the
old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall
find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jeremiah 6:16
Know What You Believe
When we seek to know about God instead of knowing Him, such knowledge will never be complete.
... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7
Human understanding of scripture is not the same as God's intent.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
In fact, our thoughts are not even ours, ones planted by lying spirits to keep us from our rightful place with God.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3
Neither do teachers always have it right.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:7
It is not enough to have head knowledge.
Ye shall 'know' the truth ... John 8:32
And, the only way we can 'know' what we believe is to have heard it from God ...
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
As He reveals it to us.
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. Jeremiah 33:6
We make ourselves most teachable once we stop telling God what He believes and seek understanding from Him.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23
Plus, we are not to do anything toward prohibiting spiritual growth in others.
Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
The Old Testament Still Counts
Being the New Testament had not yet been completed,
one can conclude the 52 N.T. references to 'scripture'
support gleaning from Old Testament writings.
To limit our study to N.T. doctrine omits the full testimony of Jesus.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39
It is the Old Testament writings that teach us truths about who God is ...
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29
and the same writings that offer hope in our time of need.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
To limit application to N.T. scripture separates us from knowing the true intent of God's heart and His counsel for meeting our needs.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11
Don't Put God in a Box
There is no such thing as 'taking scripture out of context' ...
It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4
unless one speaks when God did not send them.
(Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12)
They willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 2 Peter 3:5-6, Mathew 24:35
If they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Jeremiah 23:22
Written Especially for You
The Bible is given (present tense) by the inspiration of God ...
All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16
and is written for you;
For all things are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21
With gender equality ...
God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 1:27, 5:2 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
There is neither male nor female. Galatians 3:28
Regardless of family affiliation ...
You are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Romans 9:4
Irrespective of race ...
There is neither Jew nor Greek. Galatians 3:28
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:29
Without residential requirements ...
In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:34-35
One's past being history ...
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Romans 15:27
Without preference due to social standing, prominence, or position of leadership ...
There is neither bond nor free. Galatians 3:28
Whatever one's religion ...
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6
In spite of one's doctrine ...
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ephesians 6:9
Without regard to what one believes ...
God that made the world and all things therein ... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation ... as we are the offspring of God. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:24-31
Without respecter of persons.
Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all). Acts 10:34-36
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 3:8
Ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Romans 11:32
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19
To believe otherwise,
there is no Christ in such doctrine.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us.
Ephesians 2:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
© 2006 by Joyce C. Lock, KJV
|
