From Generation to Generation
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Key Verse: “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” Selected Scripture: |
IT SHOULD BE EVIDENT from our Key Verse that it is not enough that we hear the Lord’s Word, and even that we receive it into our hearts. It is necessary that we take hold of it, and that we do not waiver from it. It is along these lines that the Apostle Paul urges the church, saying, “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” (Heb. 2:1) We are to study the doctrine and get a clear understanding of every element of the Truth, so that they become rooted and established.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”—II Tim. 3:16
It follows then that we should act upon God’s Word, and incorporate it into every aspect of our lives. By doing this, the Spirit of Truth becomes the spirit of all of the children of God. The Holy Spirit acting in them is then in harmony and in full accord with the Heavenly Father’s mind, disposition, and will. James reminds us, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”—James 1:22-24
The hearing of the Word of the Lord brings with it much responsibility. God has called his children to walk the narrow way of self-denial, self-sacrifice, and character development. Each should then seek the doctrines and principles of the divine Word, and build their faith structure upon the foundation of divine promises. These divine words of truth are so important to us. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) Our Lord Jesus spoke about the importance of the words of the Father, when he said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that procedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) This shows us that every admonition, every encouragement, every promise, is necessary for the development of those called to eternal life.
Another important aspect of being doers of his Word is that we do not learn all of our lessons at once, but learn them gradually, for “precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isa. 28:10) We need to study God’s plan, and have his words of truth repeated over and over again to us. This will serve as reinforcement to us of his precious message of truth, for even the most devoted of the Lord’s people need constant replenishment from his fountain of truth. The key to this can be found in the words, “Every man … that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45) This is the object of seeking God’s truth, that we understand that the “path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18) May the Spirit of God shine in our hearts, “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”—II Cor. 4:6