A Crucial Truth
Dearly beloved of God, what authority did the Lord Jesus Christ use as his reference for truth? Once we discover the answer, as his followers we should utilize the same source for learning that he used.
“And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God . . .” Matthew 22:31
What was his reference for truth concerning the resurrection of the dead? Jesus Christ knew that no man knows any more about matters in the spiritual realm than God reveals in His Word.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29
They did not know the Scriptures, nor did they believe in God’s power to perform them. How long will the Word of God be in force?
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35
It will outlast this heaven and earth; his words shall not pass away! Not only is God’s Word true and reliable; it will be in force forever.
Pay close attention to Jesus Christ’s response to the men who attempted to kill him for saying, “I am the Son of God”.
“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?” John 10:34-36
He asked, “Is it not written . . .?” Then he made a remarkable statement, “. . . and the scripture cannot be broken . . .” Far too many have underestimated God’s Word.
“Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.” John 10:17 and 18
He was willing to give his life because he believed that God would raise him from the dead according to His Word! The Lord’s claim that the scripture cannot be broken is extraordinary. We ought to have the same regard for it as our Lord has.
Knowing that his hour had come, and his earthly ministry was drawing to a close, he went to his Father in prayer. Three times in his prayer he said, “I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me.”
Think of what he could have said. He could have said, “I have healed the incurable”, or “I have raised the dead” or “I have cast out devils.” He could have said, “I have given them signs, miracles and wonders,” yet, he did not.
Facing arrest, torture and death he summed up his ministry with the criterion, “I have given them Thy Word”.
Perhaps the significance of the Word of God has been grossly underestimated today. If the Lord considered the Word of God to be of such importance how can we afford to overlook it?
We cannot be more certain about any particular spiritual matter than the revelation of God’s Word concerning it.
The Lord Jesus Christ did not change his opinion of God’s Word after his resurrection from the dead.
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24: 25-27
He went throughout all the scriptures . . . to expound the things written about him. Later that day he said:
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:” Luke 24:44-46
He put it all together for them with the Word of God. We can gain spiritual understanding the same way as they did; we can study God’s Word and learn from the mouth of God. It stands written!
If this was our Lord’s position concerning the Word of God how can we afford to do otherwise?
What man’s testimony can we trust more concerning the Word of God than God’s only begotten Son? Do you know anyone that knows more about spiritual matters than he did?
As his followers, we should imitate his attitude concerning the Word of God. The Scriptures are the Word of God, they cannot be broken, and they will not pass away. The Word of God literally reveals God’s Will to us.
If we are to learn anything about spiritual matters, the Word of God must be our only reference for truth, the same as it was for our Lord. It is crucial that we do not overlook this vital truth, dearly beloved.