John 8:31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:51 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
James 1:21-25 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continue therein, he being not a forget hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”
We are living in times with busy lives and so much distractions that today’s disciples of Christ is challenged to keep the word of God before their eyes in order to know the will of God biblically. It is challenging to find the time to investigate the rich resources of the Holy Scriptures, therefore the disciple may find themselves looking for biblical alternatives such as spiritual fast food delivered by others in order to have the hunger cravings fulfilled. Unfortunately, just like in real life, fast food is not good for you despite its convenience and its good taste.
However, we know from the scriptures that the word of God is good food, pure, and completely nourishing to the soul and mind of a believer. When we take time to really read, meditate, discuss, and seek to know the mind of God through his word the less we need fast food and the more fulfilled we are upon his word. At times it is good to read or hear other disciples’ study about a subject of the word of God, however God holds us individually accountable to allow God to lead us in his word and come to an understanding of His word through honest inquiry, study, meditation, and prayer to God for the right interpretation of His word. From God’s word we know God desires us to seek Him and know His word, and expects us to understand and know His word. So therefore, we should know his word for ourselves and not totally depend upon other “teachers” for the “true revelation “ of God’s word, but rather be like the Bereans of the New Testament to rightly discern if the message we are hearing is from God. An anointed pastor would delight in that because he would have an obedient congregation that truly seeks the LORD, and the LORD promises to give that congregation a pastor who is of the LORD’s heart.
Jeremiah 3:14-15 “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
In the New Testament, in which all believers now are apart of, we have the Holy Spirit, in which the scripture says will teach us all truth. This Holy Spirit is in all believers and therefore, each believer has direct access to be taught by Him to understand all truth. However, the question is do we really seek to know and understand God’s word? Do we honestly seek the word of God more than us seeking other desires in our life?
In this short book I am going through a compilation of scriptures that demonstrates:
- God’s views of the scriptures.
- The purpose of the scriptures.
- The impact of the scriptures on the Disciples of Christ.
- The consequences of not taking heed to the scriptures
- A Call to Action
It is recommended that you first pray to God to discern all things mentioned in this book, then open up your bible and read along the scriptures illustrated in the book to get a full grasp of the context of the verses mention hereafter.
I. GOD’s View of The Scriptures
A. Jesus said the word of God is the scriptures
John 10:35 “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;”
B. The word of God is authoritative, true, eternal and judges men.
John 12:48 “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
Psalm 119:89 – “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119:160 –“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever”
C. There is only one correct interpretation of the scriptures.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
D. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit in us to know and understand the word of God.
John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
E. It is the Weapon of our Warfare
Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
F. Faithful Ministers remind the church of good doctrine and words of Faith.
Timothy 4:6 “ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. “
G. All Disciples of Christ must hold on to right/true doctrine.
2 Timothy 1:13 “ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
H. Sound doctrine must be passed along to other men who can teach.
2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
I. The Disciples of Christ are to be sincere and honest striving to know right doctrine and avoid foolish arguments. The Holy Spirit desires unity among believers without any compromise in truth, which requires maturity.
2 Timothy 2:14 “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:16 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more godliness.”
2 Timothy 2:23 ”But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
J. The Disciples of Christ need to be able to teach, especially those called to lead the church.
2 Timothy 2:24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”
II. The Purpose of the Scriptures
K. We demonstrate our love for God by keeping his words, instructions, and teachings.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments”
John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. “
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him “ If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
John 14:24 “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”
John 15:14 “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”
III. The impact of Scriptures on the Disciples of Christ
L. You become born again by the true word of God, which has been proclaim/preached/published to you.
1Peter 1:23 “ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
2Timothy:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
M. It is how we must live
Matthew4:4 – “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
N. It is a joy for the Disciple of Christ
Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. “
O. As disciples of Christ live by the word of God it makes us a family to God.
Luke 8:21 – “And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”
P. It is how we know we overcame the Devil.
1 John 2:14 – “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. “
Q. The word of God cleanses us and puts us in the will of God and His Love.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”
John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
R. It is life and health to our bodies
Prov 4:20-22 “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
S. It provides direction and guidance.
Ps 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Ps 119:130 – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
T. The correct teaching (doctrine) will save you and those you teach from destruction.
1Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
2Timothy 4:3”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
U. You grow spiritually by the word of God.
1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
V. You will be completely equipped to do good works.
Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
W. The Apostles understood the importance of relying on God through prayer and to be ministers of the word of God. It would be wise that we follow that same example. It produced fruit!!
As we commit to God through prayer and applying the word of God, the church increases with born again believers who are obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
IV. Consequences of not obeying the scriptures
X. IF we despise the word of God we then despise God Himself.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels
Y. If you don’t receive sound doctrine you may be led to demonic teachings.
1Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
1Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Z. If you do not love the word of God, God can and will cause you to be under delusion. You must hold firmly the true gospel as revealed in the scriptures.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Call to Action
When the LORD declares we should keep his commandments, sayings, or words, He expects us to:
- Know and understand what he said. This requires reading, studying & meditating on his word. In addition praying to God for His grace to do those things aforementioned thoroughly.
- Then we must pray for the wisdom in how to apply His word.
- Finally, the culmination of faithfulness to His word is to obey His word by doing it.
- Then the church continues to edify itself when those who faithfully live by the word of God preach, teach, lead and prophesy according to word of God as lead by the Holy Spirit.
- Defend the truth. We do have an adversary, the antichrist that has crept into the church since the writings of the New Testament that pervert the truth. We must as individuals seek to know true doctrine through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As led by the Holy Spirit we must use the word of God to defeat our adversary.
Some sincere believers may believe in their heart they do not need the word of God as much because they are led by the Holy Spirit and can receive “new revelations” from God, do signs, miracles, healings and prophesying. These things are good if they are indeed from God, however, the word of God is the foundation, protection, guidance, instruction, correction, and rebuke (as necessary) for His people. All activities of the true church (disciples of Jesus Christ) must be in alignment with word of God void of any agenda of a movement, an influential leader, or institutions. We can’t blindly follow any of these things aforementioned without serious approach to God in prayer, and careful study of His word to discern what is the good will of God. My concern for the true church is that we have been convinced that we are unable to understand the scriptures without a figurehead interpreting it for us. That belief is a sin. For God said in the scriptures that the anointing He has given us (the Holy Spirit) will teach us all truth. So if God said it, why do we believe we can’t understand what God said unless someone else explains it to us. Also if we believe that we can understand God word, then why do we so easily adopt these “fast food” teachings? History shows us that when born again believers are led by the Holy Spirit in searching and meditating in the word of God it led to a protesting against those who wanted to control people through deception; a good example would be the protestant reformation against the Catholic Church. I fear today that the same spirit that led the Catholic Church during protestant reformation is the same spirit seeking to manifest its agenda within all protestant denominations, movements, and perhaps through influential leaders.
We must understand the significance of the word of God. It is the very thing God wants us to express vocally. It is the power of God because it convicts a person of their sin towards God, by it give them the faith to believe God, thus changing a person from wickedness into godliness.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
James 1:21-25 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
There is nothing more miraculous than a sinner coming to Christ, there is nothing more joyful seeing a stone cold heart get filled by the warmth of Jesus Christ taking residence in them. There is nothing more glorious to hear the voice of God through his word and it cleanses you of heaviness, sorrow, anger, and etc. That miracle can only come by hearing the word of God, the gospel, by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ Ministry is the perfect example of one who was filled and led by the Holy Spirit and totally relied on the word of God (as He is the Word of God) to battle Satan by the power of what was written, which shows that the scriptures in of itself is the power of God, because anything that God says is the extension of His character, will, mindset, affections, judgments unto His creation, which carries power.
Another example is in the book of Acts, when the apostles did not want to take away time away from prayer and the ministry of the word. These Holy Spirit filled men thought that commitment to prayer and the word of God was crucial to the success of their ministry. How much more do we now in these last days need to step up our personal devotion to God in prayer and the ministry of His word. If we abide in Him and His words abide in us, whatever we shall ask of God, He will do it.
So in essence we must adhere to the word of God. We as a body of believers must become the Bereans of the New Testament and strive to know, understand and apply the full counsel of God as led by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer ->
Father, we believe your Son, Jesus Christ, is God in the flesh, and we believe in the blood of Jesus Christ for the atonement of our sins, and that he was buried for three days, and rose from the dead in the same physical body he was crucified in. We believe that Jesus Christ is sitting on your right hand in glory and power. We repent of all our sins against You, Father, for you alone have we sinned against. We believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and that nothing we have done can or will earn our salvation. We also believe we must continue to follow Jesus Christ continuously as empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness of the truth.
In the name of Jesus, we ask that your Holy Spirit would fill us and lead us in knowing the right interpretation of your Holy Scriptures, and we confess as the bible says the Holy Spirit will teach us all truth. Please deliver us from any teaching, doctrine, theology, tradition, movement, idea, or spirit that is not according to your word. Please bless us to show ourselves approved unto you Father. We thank you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
