A SIMPLE
BIBLICAL PATTERN TO USE IN EXPLAINING "WHY?"
By Bob W.
Lovelace
The following is the
last statement I wrote in a recent article. I said, "Young people today
need to hear that former 'shack ups' have given up that lifestyle and do refute
the idea that it is acceptable and normal." Questioning the matter of
judging those who live together without marriage a respondent stated, "I
think these days it can be a good thing to live together before getting
married.... This obviously goes against your feelings, but they're just
your feelings, not everyone's." Last of all she stated, "As far as
your last sentence, it's not an idea that it's acceptable and normal, these
days, IT IS acceptable and normal.... If you don't like it, then don't do
it.... I wouldn't criticize you...why do you judge about people who choose to
live together?"
This individual wants to know "why" I would determine that
people who choose to live together are wrong in doing so? I presumed this to be
an honest question deserving of an answer.
First one must understand that Christians believe the Bible is the
inspired Word of God. Paul said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Beloved these very verses set forth a simple biblical pattern for
us to use in explaining "Why?" Consider the following procedure based
upon the things contained in Paul's statement above.
1. ALL SCRIPTURES IS GIVEN
BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, 2 TIM. 3:16-17.
Christians really
believe this! Of course we also believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, who offered Himself as the acceptable sacrifice for sin (Cf. John 8:24,
28, Heb. 9:12-14). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Moreover, the New
Testament is God's law whereby man will be judged. Jesus said, "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" (John
12:48). The Bible teaches that Jesus, who was Himself God (Cf. John 1:1-3,14),
promised to guide the apostles into all truth and did by the sending of the
Holy Spirit (read John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15, Jude 3). Thus the work of the
Holy Spirit included revealing to the apostles Christ's will for mankind. Peter
said know this first, "no prophecy of scripture is given by private
interpretation" meaning that no scripture is just a matter of one's own
interpretation (Cf. 2 Pet. 1:20).
The apostle Paul said,
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"
(Romans 10:17). Thus our faith is an intellectual process and not an
emotional process. God intended that the scriptures be read and understood.
Paul when describing his work as an apostle, and thus one to whom God's will
was revealed, stated this fundamental requirement that we read the word in
order to understand it (Eph. 3:3-5). Above all God requires obedience from man
in regards to what he reads in the New Testament scriptures, which are God
given. The Hebrew writer stated that the present work of Christ, in the plan of
redemption, necessitates man's obedience. Hear him, "And being made
perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey
him" (Hebrews 5:9). Without this faith which includes obedience we are
taught that man cannot please God (Cf. Hebrews 11:6; John 6:29). Life in Christ
is a life of faith and obedience to God's will!
With a
desire to know God's will as one reads the Bible they must learn to make the
proper applications. Proper applications necessitate distinguishing between
what is "right" and what is "wrong." Jesus stated His
requirement for proper judgment with, "Judge not according to the
appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Righteous judgment
is based upon His word, the truth, and that without partiality (Cf. I Tim.
5:21, James 2:4). God's teachings and warnings are to apply to every man, Paul
said. Hear Paul, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every
man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"
(Col. 1:28). It is simply not true that Jesus forbid righteous judgment! It was
hypocritical judging that He condemned in Matthew 7 when He said, "Judge
not that you be not judged" thus rebuking the "hypocrites" in
Matt. 7:5 who were linked with the improper judgments. Moreover, in this
context and elsewhere Jesus teaches us to righteously judge false teachers in
telling us we can "know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7: 16). People
are wrong in thinking that the Bible is not for everyone, is not fair or
consistent and given for "all" of mankind, as shown by the above
scriptures. The New Testament or Gospel was to be preached to the entire world
as God's plan whereby one is offered the opportunity of salvation. Jesus said
to His apostles, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:15-16). Paul was not ashamed of the
Gospel "for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who
believes," he said (Romans 1:16).
The necessity of application is seen in James' statement,
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves" (James 1:22).
If one chooses to only "hear" the word without being a
"doer of the word" then they deceive themselves, James said.
2. GOD'S WORD
IS PROFITABLE (2 TIM. 3:16-17).
Upon "hearing" or reading one is expected to put to good use
the "profit" of God's word:
a. GOD'S WORD
IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE,
The word
"profitable" (2 Tim. 3:16) means helpful, serviceable or
advantageous. "Doctrine" is the Greek word "didaskalia, Greek
1319; from Greek 1320 (didaskalos);... instruction (the function or the information)
:- doctrine, learning, teaching (Strong's Help). Thus "doctrine" is
simply what the word of God says on any particular subject. God's word is truth
(John 17:17). Hence, what it says on any subject will be the truth of the
matter and not just one's opinion. God's word is never presented as being just
one's opinion or personal thoughts (read Isa. 55:8-9). The truths revealed in
the Word of God often go against that which man thinks is normal or acceptable.
We are taught in the Bible to not lean on our own understanding, but seek
God's. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding," the Bible says (Prov. 3:5). The Bible teaches,
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death" (Prov. 16:25). To learn what God says on anything one
should be willing to gather together as much as they find in the Bible on that
particular topic, in order to get a full understanding. "The sum of
Thy word is truth," the Psalmist said (Ps. 119:116).
b. GOD'S WORD
IS PROFITABLE FOR REPROOF,
"Reproof" is defined as the word "elegchos, Greek 1650,
proof, conviction :- evidence, reproof (Strong's Help). The word
"reproof" shows that as you read the bible your wrong thinking is exposed.
Thus reproof is seen in finding out where you have been wrong in doing what God
says not to do. It also involves you finding out that you have not been doing
what He says you should do! Ask yourself as you read, "Has this been
profitable for an admission that I have been wrong in my thinking?"
c. GOD'S WORD
IS PROFITABLE FOR CORRECTION,
"Correction" is the Gk. word "epanorthosis, Greek 1882; a
straightening up again, i.e. (figurative) rectification (reformation) :-
correction (Strong's Help). It means you take the necessary steps to correct
something. If you apply God's word to your life then you accept what He says as
the truth; you do it if He says do it, or you don't do it if He says not to!
When reading ask yourself, "Has this been profitable in helping me take
the necessary steps to correct something?"
d. GOD'S WORD
IS PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
"Instruction" is the Gk. word "paideia, Greek 3809...
tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication disciplinary correction :-
chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture (Strong's Help). The words mean
"training in righteousness," and thus His word equips us by commands,
statements, examples, necessary inferences, promises, exhortations and warnings;
the accounts of the actual lives of the biblical characters are recorded so we
might see what pleases God. Read and ask yourself, "Have I become
better equipped now to explain to others what is "right" and what is
"wrong"?
e. GOD'S WORD THOROUGHLY FURNISHES UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS,
The "profit" of the
inspired Word of God is "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:17). You must put the
"profit" into actions! The word "perfect" means
"adequately equipped"; God has given us all that we need in the
scriptures to ensure our being able to live a life acceptable to him with a
view to heaven as that goal. Peter said concerning the outcome of this life of
faith and obedience to Christ's will, "Receiving the end of your faith,
even the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9).
In the reply I properly defined
"fornication" as "illicit sexual intercourse" (Vine's Exp.
Dict.). I presented five pages listing "doctrine" on fornication
beginning with Jesus statement in Matt. 15:19, and I put a brief application
with each verse. Fornication as a violation of God's law for mankind was set
forth with the penalty being eternal punishment in hell! (Cf. Rom. 1:32, 3:23,
6:23, Rev. 21:8) All total it was ten pages and included the current
explanation of this process given in 2 Tim. 3:16-17. I quoted verbatim,
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers
and adulterers God will judge'" (Heb. 13:4).
And
what does she reply with in return? "Thank you for your reply. Do you have
any thoughts of your own or do you rely on quoting a book?"