| The Grapevine Number 102 April 16, 2005 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 The Standard by Jack Northart When I was in college studying aeronautics, I remember the professor introducing his mathematics class by stating that he was going to start with the basics and work from there. So, he wrote on the board, " 1 + 1 = 2". At first, we all thought he was joking with us, but he continued to illustrate how mathematics functioned with standards in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, so that when it came time for us to learn how to use a slide rule, we were very prepared and could use it for all types of mathematical calculations. It all stemmed from the basic standards of math. When it comes to the things of God, there is so much speculation, so much conjecture that the average soul wanting to learn is in great confusion. One is expected to "take it by faith." Who do you believe? Who do you listen to? Where do you start? Who's right? Who's wrong? It is as if our spiritual lives were required to be filled with bewilderment, confusion and lots of doubt. Nothing else in life is like this, so why should this be the case concerning the things of God, since spiritual matters are something God does not want us to be ignorant about (I Corinthians 12:1)? We believe what we believe because of what we have been taught. No one can go farther in his beliefs until he learns more. Once a person gets to a point of conclusion about a particular topic, he will stop learning about it until he recognizes that he may have been mistaken, or that there is more information available. A person will continue to learn as long as he wants to continue improve, grow and mature in life. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. The word "filled" is the Greek word chortazo, which means filled according to appetite. Appetites may vary between people. The soul that hungers and thirsts after righteousness will be filled according to his appetite to learn. In order to learn "the basics," one has to start with a stardard for truth. The common denominator, the foundation, the rudimentary starting point, the standard has to be God's Word. Not what people say about the Word of God, but the Word of God itself. Everything else that we build in life must start here. Why? Because of God's own opinion of His Word. Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. God has MAGNIFIED it above all His name. That means He has placed His Word at a very high position. When you receive a bank check from someone, it is only as good as the person's name who has signed it at the bottom. God has underscored, endorsed all of His creation with His name, but the greatest of all His works, is His Word. It is for this reason that we should pay close attention to what He has to say. The gospel, the good news that God has presented to us in this day and time is so relevant to our lives. It is beneficial to know it. It is important to understand it, for it gives enlightenment, peace and joy in an otherwise dark and miserable world. Psalm 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple (humble). Why does there appear to be some much confusion, doubt, unbelief and theory about God's Word? The answer is in II Corinthians. II Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. The god of this world that this is talking about is Satan, not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan has blinded the minds of people to the point of hiding the light and truth of God's Word from them. The Devil has so brainwashed these people that when this glorious gospel of Christ is presented to them, it turns their stomach and makes them mad. They say, "That can't be the answer! I've read the Bible and I didn't learn anything!" Then they continue to tell you about why they believe what they believe, which is based on something they read or saw that sounded good to them, but spirals into oblivion. There are sound answers in the Word of God. As we continue to open this treasure chest of wisdom and knowledge, and make it the standard of our believing, God will open the eyes of our understanding, and fill our hearts according to our appetite. Ephesians 1:17-19 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Return to main page |