"God Hath Spoken"
Part Two
Let us consider how we are affected by a strong conviction that "God hath spoken" and what effect that has upon our behavior.
Since "God Hath Spoken" I Must Not Neglect What He Said––
Hebrews 2:1–4 "We must give our full attention to what we were told, so that we won't drift away. The message spoken by angels proved to be true, and all who disobeyed or rejected it were punished as they deserved. So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? The Lord himself was the first to tell about it, and people who heard the message proved to us that it was true. God himself showed that his message was true by working all kinds of powerful miracles and wonders. He also gave his Holy Spirit to anyone he chose to."
"Dust on the Bible is indicative of a drought in the soul."
The Bible is still the best selling book of all time. More copies of it sold in more languages than any other book. However, it is probably the least read book that is owned. Most know very little of what it actually says, and less of what requires for salvation. If you truly believe the Bible to be the Word of the One True God you will read and study it with a willing enthusiasm.
Psalms 119:97 "I deeply love your Law! I think about it all day.," 131 "I honestly want to know everything you teach."
You will make time for the consideration of it.
Psalms 63:6 "I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night."; 119:147–148 "Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said. I lie awake at night, thinking of your promises."
You will make opportunity to be instructed therein by those who know it best.
Isaiah 2:3 "Many people will come and say, "Let's go to the mountain of the LORD God of Jacob and worship in his temple." The LORD will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him."
Micah 4:2 "People of many nations will come and say, "Let's go up to the mountain of the LORD God of Jacob and worship in his temple." The LORD will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him."
It is an unconvincing affirmation that leads to so little real study and inquiry into the pages of what is "the mind of Christ." There should be in all of us an insatiable yearning to commune with our God; a yearning that can only be satisfied by hearing Him speak to us.
Since "God Hath Spoken," I Should Expect to Understand Him––
Acts 17:11 "The people in Berea were much nicer than those in Thessalonica, and they gladly accepted the message. Day after day they studied the Scriptures to see if these things were true."
The nobility of the Bereans lay in their unwillingness to accept anything without proving it by the Scriptures. Their confidence was in God, His word and their ability to understand it for themselves.
1 John 4:1 "Dear friends, don't believe everyone who claims to have the Spirit of God. Test them all to find out if they really do come from God. Many false prophets have already gone out into the world,"
There are so many that rely upon a preacher, family member or close friend to "tell" them what the Bible says or what they should believe.
Since "God Hath Spoken" I Must Tell Others––
What if…
I knew how to cure cancer? I had discovered a map that led to riches beyond belief?
I found the way to feed the whole world? You would expect me to share this good news with you and everyone we met, even strangers and enemies. Once God has spoken to you the greatest news that has ever been heard is now in your possession.
Examples of those to whom God had spoken:
The Samaritan woman, John 4
The demoniac, Mark 5:18–20
Witnesses to the healing of the deaf and dumb man, Mark 7:31–36
Andrew and Philip, John 1
If we truly believe God has spoken, we cannot be silent with those around us.
Since "God Hath Spoken" I Expect Him to Enforce His Word––
It is unbelievable that one should believe the Bible is God’s Word and then live a life contrary to its principles.
"I believe the Bible, but…"
"I know the Bible says this, but I think…"
"I know it’s not in the Bible, but I feel…"
"The Bible might not allow this, but we like…"
The God whom we serve is the God revealed in the Bible. He is the God who took Adam out of the Garden of Eden for one sin. He is the God who rejected Cain’s offering. He is the God who destroyed the world with a flood. He is the God who destroyed Egypt with the plagues. He is the God who left Israel strewn in heaps in the wilderness. He is the God that consumed Nadab and Abihu with fire. He is the God who opened the earth to swallow Dathan and Abiram. He is the God who struck Uzza dead. He is the God that smote Uzziah with leprosy. He is the God that drove Nebuchadnezzar like a mad man into the fields.
Judgment is according to the Word of God:
John 12:48 "But everyone who rejects me and my teachings will be judged on the last day by what I have said."
Romans 2:6 "God will reward each of us for what we have done.", 16 "when God appoints Jesus Christ to judge everyone's secret thoughts, just as my message says."
Revelation 20:12 "I also saw all the dead people standing in front of that throne. Every one of them was there, no matter who they had once been. Several books were opened, and then the book of life was opened. The dead were judged by what those books said they had done."
CONCLUSION:
There Is No Salvation Apart from God’s Word––
Do you believe that God has spoken and the Bible is His Word? If so how has that transformed your life? How does that truth direct your conduct?
Belief that "God Hath Spoken" Will––
Motivate genuine interest for study and meditation.
Cause you to seek your own understanding and not to rely upon others. Lead you to tell others what you have learned. Give rise to an expectation of judgment according to His word.
Please address all questions to jnlnewsted@nts-online.net
Note:
The basic outline for this lesson was taken from a 66 page lesson book written by Jeff Asher. I have edited, adding and deleting as necessary for clarity by converting the outline to textual form. All scripture verses added are from the Contemporary English Version for ease of readability. (JMN)
