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The Bible covers a vast range of subjects and we need to be on our guard that we do not occupy ourselves exclusively with certain parts to the exclusion of others or with certain subjects to the exclusion of others. As Paul says: "Every scripture [is] divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16/17). Note the words every, complete, fully fitted and every again. |
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As to subjects: we learn from Scripture about God's purposes (particularly in the epistle to the Ephesians). From these we understand the end that God has in view, and then there are his ways: how he is working to arrive at his end. In the Old Testament we learn how God dealt with his people in the wilderness. His purpose however was to bring them into the land of promise. Similarly, God is working today to bring about his eternal purposes, though we may not fully understand how his ways lead to this end either with the assembly or with ourselves. His ways are, as we are told in Scripture, past finding out: "O depth of riches both of [the] wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable his judgements, and untraceable his ways ! For who has known [the] mind of [the] Lord, or who has been his counsellor ?" (Romans 11:33/34). God often acts in a way that we don't expect - see Luke 4:25-27. |
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Then there is the matter of God's sovereignty. This is something man often objects to. Why does God elect some and not others? Why did God choose Israel and not some other nation? Why did Western Europe come particularly under the influence of the Gospel and not some other part of the world? For that matter, why did God choose this planet rather than some other planet on which to work and why did he plant a garden in Eden eastward rather than in some other place. God knows what he is doing and it is not wise of us to question his judgement. Why did God choose Paul and show him such mercy? Paul gives us a reason for the mercy: "Mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:13). We however may not always be able to see the reason for God's actions now though they will always be shown to be right in the end. |
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Then there is God's government. We know that he deals with mankind according to his works (Psalm 62:12). As a result of the death of Christ those that believe on him will not pay the ultimate penalty, but this does not mean that there are not consequences of wrongdoing which even God's people have to suffer. Jacob lied to his father and later on he was himself deceived (Genesis 27:19 & 24; 37:31-35). David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Urijah the Hittite, and afterwards had him slain with the sword of the children of Ammon (2 Samuel 12). Subsequently, David lost four of his children - the child of Bathsheba, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah. Furthermore, Absalom lay with David's concubines (2 Samuel 16:20-23). David did not die because he repented (2 Samuel 12:13 &14), but he did not escape the most severe discipline. Further, we are told that a man's work will God render to him and cause every one to find according to his way (Job 34:11). See also Proverbs 24:11/12 and Colossians 3:24/25. The Corinthians suffered for their wrongdoing as Paul notes: "On this account many among you [are] weak and infirm, and a good many are fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, so were we not judged. But being judged, we are disciplined of [the] Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). Generally the so-called charismatics concentrate on God's blessings (for instance, 'the Toronto blessing') and ignore his discipline. The latter results in blessing in the end if we get the gain of it, but it is not pleasant while we are under it (Hebrews 12:11). Much more could be said about this, but the point is to see that there are many lines of thought running through Scripture and in studying a particular line we should not get so obsessed with it that we do not notice the others. |
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It may also be noticed that there are those who do not follow any line in Scripture but simply think on isolated texts. The texts are, no doubt, very good in themselves, but because they are taken in isolation there is no coherent understanding of the teaching of Scripture. The Christian by this does not get an outline of sound words which Paul exhorted Timothy to have (2 Timothy 1:13). See also 1 Peter 3:15. We cannot fully grasp everything that is in Scripture but we should seek to have an outline in order that we can speak to others about what we hold and not be led astray ourselves. |
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July 1999 |
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