Narrow & Exclusive Truth

Those who know me best are fully aware that God, in His sovereignty, has allowed and used a disabling trial to open my eyes to a truth that is so life-changing, so powerful, and so precious that for the past several years now, all I’ve been able to preach, teach, and talk about is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Teachers of God’s Word must be very sensitive to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit and make sure their “single minded” and “narrow” teaching is truly of the Lord and not man. They should especially be aware that promoting a self-centered or self-seeking agenda for personal praise, self-exaltation, or glory is wrong.

In my opinion, proclaiming the preeminence, sufficiency, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ is right. Not because I, or any other man says so, but because the Word of God declares it. The Holy Scriptures are always faithful to direct us to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s what makes it right. And that’s why, as a Christian, you should believe it with your entire heart.

Although the Old Testament contains covenants, laws, prophecy, and history that primarily address the Nation of Israel, the message of hope and redemption is for all, both Jew and Gentile. The thread of redemption is woven throughout the pages of Holy writ.

When we “rightly divide the word of truth

”, the New Testament reveals that by God’s mercy and goodness all believing Gentiles are the recipients of His spiritual blessings through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When Old Testament teaching is supported and applied to our life with New Testament teaching (doctrine), then it becomes truth to obey

and live by. There are many laws, statutes, commands, and exhortations in the Old Testament that are simply not applicable to the born again Christian. Every word of God is indeed pure, so in no way am I suggesting the Old Testament is outdated and no longer appropriate to the New Testament believer. And the Old Testament is certainly profitable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” But we must always ask “who” God is addressing so we can make proper application. Otherwise, we are prone to become “legalistic” in our thinking. For example, as Christians we submit to the doctrine of “atonement” as it is taught in the New Testament, not the Old. I am not required to take an animal sacrifice each year to a priest in order to have my sins forgiven. Jesus has accomplished that on the cross, once and for all.

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever

them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:14–18).

So be very careful with your use and application of God’s Holy Word. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

If the Word of God exalts Jesus Christ above all else, who am I to argue the point? Know Him above all else. Love the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Tags: Bible Doctrine, Forrest Wychopen

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm and is filed under Bible Study. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.