Embracing the Word of God: The Path of the Saved
In today's world, where countless distractions and philosophies vie for our attention, it's crucial to be reminded of the transformative power of God's Word. It's when we forget or fail to understand the nature of God's inerrant Word that we end up neglecting it to our peril. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is a living document that penetrates the heart and has the power to change lives. Let's consider the profound impact of God's Word and why it's essential for us, as Christians and missionaries, to abide by it always.
The Importance of God's Word
The Bible tells us that without the Word of God as our foundation, our lives can take a turn for the worse. Houses built on sand are never stable. Believers who don't revere God's Law Word or dwell in it consistently put themselves at risk. At best, they are malnourished and limited in fruitfulness. At worst, they can fall easily into grave sin and thereby dishonor Christ.
This reality was exemplified by the Jewish people who initially rejected Jesus, their Messiah. They had the Scriptures and should have recognized their Lord, but they didn't. Instead of being true students of the Word, they were religious hypocrites... Their inability to interpret the Scriptures and see Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah resulted in their separation from God, pain, anguish, death, and despair when the Lord came in judgment upon them in 70 AD via the Romans.
Without the guidance of His Word, we risk making choices that lead to spiritual and moral decay. How many marriages have been ruined because they were not built upon the truth of God's word? Countless! The result it has had on society is devastating. The scriptures warn us that rejecting Christ and His Word, and all the wisdom contained therein, results in perishing by the fruit of our own conduct. It's a stark reminder that the path of righteousness is paved with God's teachings and instructions.
How many mission endeavors have crumbled or missed the mark due to a lack of conviction as to the nature of the Word of God, its sufficiency, clarity, authority, inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and so on? Too many! The Great Commission, though destined for victory because our Lord reigns, has enough challenges of its own. We don't want to add more challenges by refusing to base our methodologies and practices upon God's revealed word. Instead, let us strive to trust our Lord, His Word, and His plan.
The Promise of Redemption
There's hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life, took upon Himself the penalty of our sins (the wrath of God the Father[1]), and was resurrected on the third day, securing a path to salvation for all who repent and believe in Christ alone for salvation[2]. This sacrifice underscores the significance of God's Word in leading us away from eternal condemnation and toward redemption.
For Christians, embracing God's Word is not merely about avoiding a dire end. It's about receiving the gift of salvation through Christ, who has triumphed over sin and death. The invitation is open to everyone – "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," declares Jesus[3]. His yoke is easy, and His burden light.
Though the evangelical work of missions is plagued with problems today and the task before us can seem daunting, the Lord is with us until the end of the age[4]. Jesus is Lord and His plan is glorious and destined to succeed. When things look dark, we must keep our eyes on our Sovereign King who is working all things together for His people and His glory[5]. Nothing can thwart the plans of God!
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” -- Rev. 21: 5a
God's Desire for Us to Engage with His Word
Our Creator desires that we engage with the Bible daily, day and night. The Lord speaks to us primarily through His written Word. His Word is the source of life. At one time the disciples were tempted to leave Jesus because some of His teachings were hard to accept. After being questioned by the Lord, they agreed that there was nowhere for them to go because with Jesus they had the "words of life"[6].
True disciples need the Word of God like they need the food and water that sustains them. True disciples of Christ find pleasure in spending time in the word of God like they find pleasure in authentic Italian gelato, pasta, piazza, or espresso, for example. It delights the soul!
God wishes for us to approach Him and hear the words of life that He has graciously preserved for us. As we dwell in the living Word, we gain insight into His will and His immense love for us. We become washed and renewed and made fit to live for Him in every aspect of life. We also find instruction for fulfilling the Great Commission, going, evangelizing, preaching, teaching, and discipling the nations.
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. -- Ps. 1: 2-3
Let us discipline ourselves to limit distractions in this chaotic world and time of history and keep on engaging with God's word. The tasks of missionaries are many, but let them always be busy dwelling in the Word first and foremost.
Closing Thoughts in Connection to Missions Work
As we conclude this reflection, let us heed the call of Christ to never cease to come and learn from Him in His Word, for He is meek and humble of heart. Let's strive to always deepen our understanding of His Word and share these divine truths with others. By doing so, we not only enrich our personal walk with God but also extend the blessings of God’s Word to those around us.
As we consider the Great Commission and our call to go and disciple the nations, we must have a robust and healthy understanding of the doctrine of the Word of God. To fulfill the Great Commission the Lord's missionaries must be equipped to faithfully handle the Word of God[7]. It is one of the missionary's highest responsibilities. Sadly, in modern missions, there are far too many sent out without being sufficiently equipped to know and teach the Gospel and the whole counsel of God's word. Zeal is important in the work of missions, but zeal is not enough. "Zeal without knowledge", said Calvin, "is like a sword in the hand of a lunatic".
The equipping and sending of missionaries from the States is another area of Christianity today that requires reformation. At PMc, we are developing the Missions Academia to help play our part in this equipping of the next generation. We warmly invite you to pray for this endeavor.
Whether you are an aspiring missionary praying to be used by the Lord in distant lands among unreached groups of people or are already involved in Gospel ministry, let me lovingly remind you to value and treasure the inspired word of God above all else. Let us never cease applying ourselves to reading, studying, preaching, and teaching God's word. It's an endless treasure that we can never exhaust. The Word of God is also central to God's mission in our world! May it always remain central to our daily lives as well.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -- 2 Tim. 3: 16
If you have not gone deep into the Doctrine of the Word of God or you desire to handle the scriptures better, let me recommend a few good resources:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible by William Hendricks
The Doctrine of the Word of God by John Frame
Exegetical Fallacies by D. A. Carson
Written by Jesse Schreck | founder, director, and missionary church planter in Italy with Practical Missions Cohort
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Footnotes
Romans 3: 24-26 -- being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; 26 for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.↩︎
Acts 3: 19 -- Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;↩︎
Matthew 11: 29 -- Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.↩︎
Matthew 28: 20 -- teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”↩︎
Romans 8: 28 -- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.↩︎
John 6: 68 -- Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.↩︎
IITimothy 2: 15 -- Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.↩︎
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