In our discussions with others concerning the Bible or other subjects haven’t we heard the following statements before? I know in my heart that this is right. Or, I think this is right. Or, I’ll ask my pastor or Bible teacher about this, I want to see what they say about it. When we come to questioning what is right or wrong, shouldn’t there be some concrete bottom line information that is the truth about the questions we have. If it is the “I feel” or “I think” scenario, don’t we all have different feelings and thoughts about religious topics that affect our attitudes and spiritual goals. You have just as much right to feel and think about a certain matter as I do or vice versa.
There must be and is a standard that is recognized and accepted as the final and only authority on what is right or wrong. Most will agree that this is the divinely inspired Word of God.
Man needs this standard just like we need the standards of time, weights, and measures. We accept these with no basic differences but when issues and questions come up concerning religious belief we must ask, “What does God say about it in his Word?”
Do not the Scriptures imply that they are the standard, the bottom line that we can agree should settle the question or what is scripturally right or wrong?
God’s word says in 2 Timothy 3: 16,17(KJV) “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, thoroughly furnished unto every good works.”
2 Peter 1: 3 (KJV) says His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of him.” Psalm 119:105 (KJV) says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
The question asked by the Sadducees in Matthew 22: 23 prompted this reply by Jesus “Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” The source of their error was ignorance. Consider Acts 3:17(NKJV), “Yet now brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance.”
Note the question asked by Pilate in John 18:38, “What is truth?” The answer is found in John 17:17. “Thy Word is truth.” Isn’t Jesus’ reply so easy for us to understand? Not my word or yours or anybody else’s but God’s word settles the matter. May we conclude from the above that our Faith should not stand in the wisdom of man but in the power of God (cf. 1Corinthians 2:5).
Does this not settle the matter as to where we must go to determine the answers to our differences? In Jeremiah 10:23, it states, “It is not in man to direct his footsteps.” If not in man to direct, then who? Consider the aforementioned Scriptures in Psalm 119:105.
Let us not follow in the people’s path in Hosea 4:6, “ My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge because they have rejected knowledge.”
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