Skilled in the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13) Part 1
Written by: Yeow Chin Kiong
A Christian is, first and foremost, a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of the church (Acts 11:26). A “disciple” is a learner, one who believes in, obeys and assist in spreading the teachings (or “doctrines”) of a teacher.
Jesus specifically identified His disciples with these words. “If you abide iny word, you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32). Our Lord also added that His disciples would be sanctified (i.e. set apart for a holy purpose) by the truth, God’s word (John 17:17-19). The Lord’s followers are described as His “sheep” and “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)Righteousness and justification from sin could never come from Moses’ Law (Galatians 2:15-16, 21) because it was never meant to do that and, besides, it is impossible to be perfectly kept by any mere mortal!
“Following” Jesus as His disciples should mean doing His will (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49). And we can know His will only if we hear Him through the inspired word. Hence, the centrality of hearing the Divine word to know God’s and Jesus’ will. Also, as important as faith is to our duty of pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), as important it is to acquire that faith by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Indeed, the propagation of the faith of a Christian requires the faithful transmission of what has been “heard” from faithful men to others “who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2).
The “faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) must be defended and contended for. Also, “the things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1, King James Version) must be conveyed to others so that they will know such instruction for a certainty (Luke 1:1-4). The written record of what Jesus did are meant to be transmitted to all so that they may believe “that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing they might have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31). Hence, the transmission,- unadulterated,- of the scriptures is, therefore, a foundational task of the disciple of Christ.
It must be borne in mind by Christians that they are people of the holy scripture, people of the Bible, and they must be identified as such by their use of the scriptures in all that they think. speak or do. The major commandment towards this end is 2 Timothy 3:15 to 4:5 “3:15….. the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4:1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching years, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Quite clearly, uthe word of God should be used with some skill, as suggested by Hebrews 5:13. Although references to scripture are not Divinely-inspired, citing “book, chapter and verse” in any discussion involving any translation or version of the Bible lends credibility to opinions and views one proffers. To illustrate, to make the point that “baptism saves,” 1 Peter 3:21 has to be cited,- and preferably quoted in full,- to buttress the point. A sermon on God’s plan for sinners’ salvation which does not refer to 1 Peter 3:21 is lacking indeed. Taking the gospel plan of salcation as an example of a teaching of great impotance, every Christian should commit to memory scripture references for all the components of the sinner’s part in the plan. If we are not authoritatively clear, correct and convincing about the necessity of belief, confession, repentance, baptism and living faithfully until physical death or Christ’s return, whichever is the sooner, by citing and quoting scriptures which mention each step, souls will be lost, no less!
There used to be a time when a well-marked Bible, with a profusion of scripture cross-references hand-written on the page-margins, meant for a student (or ‘prospect’) to read from very quickly made a doctrinal point convincingly. Electronic modes of the Bible simply aren’t as effective and efficient for a similar effect! Every Christian is a teacher of sorts (Matthew 28:19-20) and his Bible is the chief tool of his trade! As a combatant in spiritual warfare, the Christian’s only weapon in his arsenal or armoury is the sword of the Spirit, God’s word (Ephesians 6:17) which he should wield skilfully.