Hold
Fast to What is Good!
"Prove
all things; hold fast that which is good!"
1 Thessalonians 5:21.
Many,
especially those who are young in the Christian life, are
at times troubled with suggestions of skepticism. There are
in the Bible many things which they cannot explain, or even
understand, and Satan employs these to shake their faith in
the Scriptures as a revelation from God. They ask, "How
shall I know the right way? If the Bible is indeed the word
of God, how can I be freed from these doubts and perplexities?"
God never
asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon
which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the
truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony
that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant.
Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith
must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish
to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire
to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to
rest their faith.
It is
impossible for finite minds fully to comprehend the character
or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect,
the most highly educated mind, that holy Being will ever remain
clothed in mystery. "Can you by searching find out God?
Can you find out the Almighty's perfection? It is as high
as heaven; what can you do? Deeper than hell; what can you
know?" Job 11:7, 8.
The apostle
Paul exclaims, "O the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments,
and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33. But though
"clouds and darkness are round about Him, righteousness
and judgment are the foundation of His throne." Psalm
97:2, R.V. We can so far comprehend His dealings with us,
and the motives by which He is actuated, that we may discern
boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. We can
understand as much of His purposes as it is for our good to
know; and beyond this we must still trust the hand that is
omnipotent, and the heart that is full of love.
The word
of God, like the character of its divine Author, presents
mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by finite beings.
The entrance of sin into the world, the incarnation of Christ,
regeneration, the resurrection, and many other subjects presented
in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human mind to
explain, or even fully to comprehend. But we have no reason
to doubt God's word because we cannot understand the mysteries
of His providence. In the natural world we are constantly
surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The very
humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of
philosophers is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders
beyond our understanding. Should we then be surprised to find
that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that
we cannot fathom? The difficulty lies solely in the weakness
and narrowness of the human mind.
God has
given us in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their divine
character, and we are not to doubt His word because we cannot
understand all the mysteries of His providence. The apostle
Peter says that there are in Scripture "things hard to
be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest… unto their own destruction" 2 Peter 3:16.
The difficulties of Scripture have been urged by skeptics
as an argument against the Bible; but so far from this, they
constitute a strong evidence of its divine inspiration. If
it contained no account of God but that which we could easily
comprehend; if His greatness and majesty could be grasped
by finite minds, then the Bible would not bear the unmistakable
credentials of divine authority. The very grandeur and mystery
of the themes presented should inspire faith in it as the
word of God.
The Bible
unfolds truth with a simplicity and a perfect adaptation to
the needs and longings of the human heart, that has astonished
and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while it enables
the humblest and uncultured to discern the way of salvation.
And yet these simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects
so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the power
of human comprehension, that we can accept them only because
God has declared them. Thus the plan of redemption is laid
open to us, so that every soul may see the steps he is to
take in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ, in order to be saved in God's appointed way; yet beneath
these truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries that are
the hiding of His glory - mysteries that overpower the mind
in its research, yet inspire the sincere seeker for truth
with reverence and faith. The more he searches the Bible,
the deeper is his conviction that it is the word of the living
God, and human reason bows before the majesty of divine revelation.
To acknowledge
that we cannot fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible
is only to admit that the finite mind is inadequate to grasp
the infinite; that man, with his limited, human knowledge,
cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.
Because
they cannot fathom all its mysteries, the skeptic and the
infidel reject God's word; and not all who profess to believe
the Bible are free from danger on this point. The apostle
says, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you
an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God"
Hebrews 3:12. It is right to study closely the teachings of
the Bible and to search into "the deep things of God"
so far as they are revealed in Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:10).
While "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,
those things which are revealed belong unto us" Deuteronomy
29:29. But it is Satan's work to pervert the investigative
powers of the mind. A certain pride is mingled with the consideration
of Bible truth, so that men feel impatient and defeated if
they cannot explain every portion of Scripture to their satisfaction.
It is too humiliating to them to acknowledge that they do
not understand the inspired words. They are unwilling to wait
patiently until God shall see fit to reveal the truth to them.
They feel that their unaided human wisdom is sufficient to
enable them to comprehend the Scripture, and failing to do
this, they virtually deny its authority. It is true that many
theories and doctrines popularly supposed to be derived from
the Bible have no foundation in its teaching, and indeed are
contrary to the whole tenor of inspiration. These misunderstandings
have been a cause of doubt and perplexity to many minds. They
are not, however, chargeable to God's word, but to man's perversion
of it.
If it
were possible for created beings to attain to a full understanding
of God and His works, then, having reached this point, there
would be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth
in knowledge, no further development of mind or heart. God
would no longer be supreme; and man, having reached the limit
of knowledge and attainment, would cease to advance. Let us
thank God that it is not so. God is infinite; in Him are "all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Colossians 2:3.
And to all eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning,
and yet never exhaust the treasures of His wisdom, His goodness,
and His power.
God intends
that even in this life the truths of His word shall be ever
unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this
knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding
of God's word only through the illumination of that Spirit
by which the word was given. "The things of God knoweth
no man, but the Spirit of God;" "for the Spirit
searches all things, yea, the deep things of God" 1 Cor.
2:11, 10. And the Saviour's promise to His followers was,
"When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide
you into all truth... For He shall receive of Mine, and shall
show it to you" John 16:13, 14.
God desires
man to exercise his reasoning powers; and the study of the
Bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study
can. Yet we are to beware of deifying reason, which is subject
to the weakness and infirmity of humanity. If we would not
have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding, so that
the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must have
the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn,
and beseeching the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the
power and wisdom of God, and of our inability to comprehend
His greatness, should inspire us with humility, and we should
open His word, as we would enter His presence, with holy awe.
When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority
superior to self, and heart and intellect must bow to the
great I AM.
There
are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God
will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding
of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall
be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret
them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit
and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God
is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts
and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with
His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very
study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes
control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that
are not correct. Whenever men are not in word and deed seeking
to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may
be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture,
and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who
look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, have not spiritual
insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for
doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple.
Disguise
it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in
most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions
of God's word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart,
and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready
to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must
have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness
of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the
study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is
God's word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths
that will make them wise unto salvation.
Christ
has said, "If any man will do His will, he shall know
of the doctrine" John 7:17. Instead of questioning and
caviling concerning that which you do not understand, give
heed to the light that already shines upon you, and you will
receive greater light. By the grace of Christ, perform every
duty that has been made plain to your understanding, and you
will be enabled to understand and perform those of which you
are now in doubt.
There
is an evidence that is open to all, - the most highly educated,
and the most illiterate, - the evidence of experience. God
invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His word,
the truth of His promises. He bids us '"taste and see
that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8. Instead of depending
upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves. He
declares, "Ask, and you shall receive" John 16:24.
His promises will be fulfilled. They have never failed; they
never can fail. And as we draw near to Jesus, and rejoice
in the fullness of His love, our doubt and darkness will disappear
in the light of His presence.
The apostle
Paul says that God "has delivered us from the power of
darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear
Son" Colossians 1:13. And everyone who has passed from
death unto life is able to "set to his seal that God
is true" John 3:33. He can testify, "I needed help,
and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger
of my soul was satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation
of Jesus Christ. Do you ask why I believe in Jesus? Because
He is to me a divine Saviour. Why do I believe the Bible?
Because I have found it to be the voice of God to my soul."
We may have the witness in ourselves that the Bible is true,
that Christ is the Son of God. We know that we are not following
cunningly devised fables.
Peter
exhorts his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:18. When
the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly
obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern
new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true
in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will
continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is as
the light of dawn, that shines more and more unto the perfect
day" Prov. 4:18, RV
By faith
we may look to the hereafter and grasp the pledge of God for
a growth of intellect, the human faculties uniting with the
divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct
contact with the Source of light. We may rejoice that all
which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then
be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find
an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only
confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect
and beautiful harmony. "Now we see through a glass, darkly;
but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall
I know even as also I am known" 1 Corinthians 13:12.
"Hold
Fast to What is Good!"
This
meditation is from The Path to Peace, pp. 52-56.
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