WHY GOD HAS GIVEN THE SCRIPTURE TO THE FALLEN HUMAN RACE?
Perth Fellowship
LESSON 2
WHY GOD HAS GIVEN THE SCRIPTURE TO THE FALLEN HUMAN RACE?
“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (2Tim 3.16,17 MKJV)
Here God has revealed the reason why He has given the scripture to the fallen human race. God has created man in perfection, in the image of God (Eccl7.29). Man using his free will, did sin and became imperfect. But the loving God did not want to forsake man in his fallen condition but gave a way out to regain his lost perfection (the image of God)(Col. 3.10,2cor 3.18,Rom8.29). The way of regaining the lost image of God is the message of the Scripture.
Normally human beings are scared of the word perfect. Remember, perfection is the standard laid down and revealed by God in the Scripture. The only man who survived the wrath of God during the great flood was Noah. “He was perfect in his generation.” (Genesis 6.9). God told Abraham . “Be thou perfect” (Genesis 17.1). In law too, “for a sacrifice to be accepted it must be perfect.”(Leviticus 22.21).Please read. Dt18.13, 2Sam22.31, 33.
The same demand of God we can find in NT too.Lord taught us “...you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”(Matt 5.48).In revelation Lord told the elder of the church “I have not found your works perfect before God .................and if you do not repent and become perfect I will erase your name from the book of life” (Rev 3.2,5).Let us see what was the standard for which Paul struggled through out his life. “......teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”( Colosians 1.28,4.12,1Thes 3.10,Ephesians 4.13,2Cor13.11.).The major difference between OT and the NT is that the law could never make anybody perfect where as in NT the believers can attain perfection and are required to be perfect.(Hb10.1,11.39,40).
Before proceeding further we must know what is meant by perfection . What is expected is not a perfection of the type that Jesus had(Hb 4.15, 7.26). If you have forgiven everybody, loving and praying for those who harmed you, obedient to all revealed truths, meeting obligations to God,man and civil government, keeping a clear conscience toward both God and man, then you are perfect as per the NT standards. This is totally attainable too.
How we are to regain this lost image(perfection) is explained in the Bible. This is possible by submitting ourselves to the authority of the Word of God and wilfully submitting to its obedience. The only book which is God breathed is Bible. Adam ,before being breathed by the God was a pile of dust and likewise all other books in the world is a collection of paper with lots of black spots in it(Genesis 2.7). Since the Bible is God breathed, it is living and the Word can impart divine life to the dead souls.(Hebrews 4.12,John 6.63,Psalms 19.7).
Let us see how this regeneration takes place.(John3.3,Titus 3.5,1Peter1.23-25,James 1.18).When a lost soul has taken a decision to forsake the ways of the world (repent) and decide to submit to the authority of the Word (Symbolised by water in John 3.3) and of the Holy Spirit, the person will be regenerated or would become born again. Afterwards if that individual follows a lifestyle, submitting to the discipline and authority of the Word i.e. doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, he will become perfect, useful for the Master (2Tim2.21)
Doctrine .One must learn and follow the apostolic doctrines as revealed in the Scripture. Always follow the example of Paul “don’t go beyond what is written”. Any tradition or practice not supported by the Scripture should be given a place in the rubbish bin. All disciples of Jesus were tradition breakers (Matt.15.1) and if you are not bold enough to do it you have no place in His kingdom. You must follow the foundational doctrines (Hb 6.1-3).Let us have the quality which Thessalonian believers had (1 Thes 2.13).
Reproof. It is a strong word. If you are not willing to be reproved by others you can never traverse the path of perfection. We must be willing to accept correction knowing that only fools hate reproof. (Matt 16.22,23,1Thes 5.12,1 Peter 5.5,Prov 12.1).The popular saying ‘God hates sin but love the sinners’ is not from the Scripture.Bible says ‘God hate the sin and the sinners’ (Ps 5.4,5,11.5,Prov 6.16-19,29.1).So we must hate sin and accept any reproof in order to become acceptable by God.
Correction. Where ever we found ourselves wrong or deviated from the Scripture, we must be willing to correct ourselves immediately. We have a great responsibility in this century, as the historical Christianity is not being taught or practised as prophesied in many scriptures(2Pet2.1-2, 1Tim 4.1-2, 2Tim 3.1-5, Jude 4,5,17).Bible says “ Due to lack of knowledge my people are perishing” (Hosea 4.6).Therefore if we are ignorant of the truth and not correcting ourselves, we will miss our eternity.
Instruction in righteousness. Righteous living is a life according to scripture .Our daily life must be a demonstration of the principles laid down in the Scripture. Life in our homes, Church and the place of work must be a demonstration of our faith.
Let us use the scriptures for the purpose for which it is given to us by our loving Father.
Questions.(Answer the most important and accurate)
1.The reason why God has given the Scripture?
2. Which truth is most essential for us
3. What must be our attitude towards the unscriptural traditions.
4. As per the Scripture who was perfect in his generation
A. Abraham B. Moses C. Noah D. Paul
Answers of the previous week
1.B 2.C 3.C 4. C
Nb. Please read all the scriptures from the Bible preferably OKJV. For any clarification or doubt contact perthfe...@gmail.com