pleasant day to all, especially to our followers from other countries! In our conversation to as many people in the chat room via the internet, we have been getting all sorts of reactions from them. While there are some who are accusing us of being crazy, there are also some who are praising us for reading the Bible as truthfully as it should be. Others are angry with us, but there are also some who appreciate what we do. It is practically the same kind of feedback that we get from our audience here in the Philippines. They tell us that we rather preach our doctrines instead of attacking the beliefs and practices of other religious denominations. But to recall, we have read last time from the Scriptures that the law is good when it is used lawfully. Let us read
I Timothy 1:8 again--
“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.”
We know that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully. We will illustrate this citation by giving you an example. We know that medicine is good if it is used rightly. But if we do not know its proper use, if we do not know the right dosage, it will only pose danger to the body. You see, the dosage of a medicine is in accordance to several factors like the weight and the age of the patient. But if you do not know the right prescription to a medicine, although it is medicine, it may become a poison to the patient. It will be damaging to the health of the patient if it is given not in accordance to the prescription of the doctor, or of the chemist who formulated the medicine. In the same manner that God admonishes us to use the Bible rightly.
II Timothy 2:15 it reads--
“A workman that needeth not to be ashamed must rightfully divide the word of truth.”
But how do we follow this admonition? A workman, a Christian worker, has to show himself approved unto God, rightfully dividing the word of truth, and rightfully using the word of truth. You see, the Bible was written for a particular intent. Unfortunately, some of the Born Again preachers, as well as the other Protestant movements, do not understand the admonition in
II Tim. The very purpose of the Scripture is this:
II Timothy 3:15 it reads--
“And that from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, he is fully equipped with every good works.”
Some translations say, “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Therefore, the Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine. How are we going to use the Scriptures? We are going to use the Scriptures for doctrine, for reproof, and take note, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. Actually, many Born Again groups accuse us that we do not love them because we criticize their doctrines, their wrong way of dealing with their members, and their mistakes in using the Bible. But according to St. Paul, the Bible, or the Scriptures, can be used for reproof, for correction, and for instruction to righteousness. What is wrong when you call the attention of people who are using the Bible incorrectly? Like what we cited last time, there are pastors, or ministers, who connect the instructions from the Old Testament with the instructions in the New Testament. They use the Law of Moses in instructing the Christians. Preachers must always be cautious and meticulous in teaching commandments to their members. For example, the giving of tithes was commandment of God to the Israelites. These tithes, or the ten percent, which must be collected from the eleven tribes of Israel would be given to the Levites for their subsistence. That is clearly recorded in
Hebrew 7:5. But pastors today teach this commandment to their members. While they are pretending to be Christians, they are teaching their members the laws of Moses. That is why in
Acts 13:39, the Bible says that this practice, which is still being observed until now by Born Again pastors and other Protestant ministers, is unlawful. Why?
Acts 13:39 it reads--
“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
We cannot attain justification by our adherence to the Law of Moses. There are people who use the Bible as they wish to use it, but they do not follow God’s simple instruction on how to rightfully use it. Let us not forget what
I Tim. 1:8 says, that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully. Medicine is good. It helps the sick if it is used according to the prescription of a knowledgeable doctor or chemist. That is the same with the Bible. If the Bible is used, not in accordance to the prescription, although it contains the word of God, meant for our salvation, it may work otherwise. That is, if it is not used in accordance to the instructions of the Lord. In fact, it was logically noted by the Apostle Peter that, the very stone, which can mean salvation to those who believe, can also serve as a stumbling block for those who do not believe.
I Peter 2:6-8 it reads--
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
