It's a matter of fact! v23n17

It’s a matter of fact!

Part 2

v23 n17

While watching a program on television the other day, I was listening to a well known mother and daughter teaching team. In the context of the message, the daughter made the statement that Jesus Christ was not three full days in the grave, but rather just a bit or portion over two days. This immediately reminded me of the pastor the week previous, at the Bible study that I had attended, that said that Elijah was taken to heaven by the chariot, rather then the whirlwind that the Bible clearly describes. This caused me to wonder what translation of the Bible these people are reading and teaching from?

Matthew 12:38-40, 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's (great fish) belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. KJV.

In my Bible, and the Bible program that I use in my computers, Jesus Christ is quite clear to say that just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so should the son of man be three days and three nights in the belly of the earth. It is quite clear to say three days and three nights, not a part of, or almost, but rather three days and three nights. Do you really think that the Lord would lie to us? (Rom 3:4, Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18).

One cannot alter or change the Word, just so it will fit the traditions and doctrines that one has been taught by man. (Remember the wisemen at the manger? Matt 2:11). Yet, this is exactly what is being done by many preachers and teachers today. They twist and pervert the scriptures to fit and justify the traditions and doctrines which they have been taught, rather then seeking the Lord’s will in these things.

One cannot add to or take away from the Word of God, just so it will fit the traditions and doctrines of man, or the denomination one attends. (Rev 22:18-19). If a person does not understand a certain area of the Word, then they should not teach or instruct in that area until they have sought God on it, studied it thoroughly seeking His approval, and then have taken the time and made the effort to rightly divide the Word of truth. Quick to hear and slow to speak. Opinions will not get one to heaven.

All too often, a person is quick to repeat that which they hear others speak, without knowing whether something is totally true or not. (True or false, faith or fear, no in-betweens!) How often have you participated in, or spread a rumor? Have you ever had untruths spread about you? Whenever we pass on anything that is not according to the truth, then it is a lie. For whatever is not of faith, is sin. Are you sure of all that you share or pass on as God’s Word, is in all reality according to Him, or, is it that which someone else has told you?

Hebrews 5:10-14, 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. KJV.

In writing to the Hebrew people in this letter, Paul had many things that he wanted to share with them concerning Jesus Christ, the priest after the order of Melchisedec. However, Paul was not able to share this knowledge with them. Why, one may ask? Paul is quite clear to say that they had become lazy or quite dull in their hearing. (1Cor 3:1-5, Matt 25:1-13).

This signifies a person who walks heavily and makes little speed, it is here elegantly applied to those who are called to the Christian race, have the road laid down plain before them, how to proceed specified, and the blessings to be obtained enumerated, and yet make no exertions to get on, but are always learning, and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

They had allowed their ears to become plugged or stopped up with the traditions and doctrines of man (listening to fleshly people), and thus had blinded their hearts and minds from seeing or hearing the truth of God’s Word. So when they should have been to the place that they could instruct others in the basics of Christianity, they had to themselves again be taught the first principles of the oracles of God. In your walk with God, how many of man’s stories, or traditions have blocked or hindered you from hearing the true accounts of God’s Word?

The words seem to intimate that they had once been better instructed, and had now forgotten that teaching; and this was occasioned by their being dull of hearing; either they had not continued to hear, or they had heard so carelessly that they were not profited by what they heard. They had probably totally omitted the preaching of the Gospel, and consequently forgotten all they had learned. Indeed, it was to reclaim those Hebrews from backsliding, and preserve them from total apostasy, that this letter was written. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Jesus Christ clearly tells us that His meat was to do the will of Him that sent Him, (John 4:34, John 6:38, Gal 1:3-4), to hear the voice and the Word of Father, so that He was able to do all that Father asked of Him. Yet, as Paul tells us, most were on the milk of the Word, instead of on the meat of the Word. They were carnal or milk Christians in understanding, as they were divided by envy and jealousy, they allowed divisions to set in by the example of those whom they followed, they argued and debated with one another, rather then being the example of the believers. Milk Christians are totally dependent on that which someone else will feed to them, since they have not developed to the place where they are able to rightly divide the Word of truth themselves. Thus, what they hear someone else say, they will usually take as being the gospel truth, because some preacher has told them it is so. Since they are not on the meat of the Word, they have not developed the ability to discern between good and evil. And since they have no discernment, if they are following the blind, what will the outcome be?

It is those that are on the milk of the Word, that are unskilful, immature, not developed in the Word of righteousness. They have not brought themselves to God’s understanding of His Word. They spend the majority of their time listening to what others have to say concerning God and His Word, but do not have any time to develop their own relationship with Father, so as to know when His Word has been misrepresented. This happens or comes about, because the people have more faith in other people, then they do in God and His Word. They forget, or maybe have not learned, that faith is a persons ability to hear and understand the message delivered by the Word of God, Christ, and then allowing that which they hear, to become an actual way of life.

One often forgets, that it is the truth, God’s facts, that can set a person free, and keep them free, if they continue in it. Today, if you will hear His voice and harden not your heart! What will you do with His Word today?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka