Bibliology 1
Obligation to Scripture
We are obligated to obey scripture. We are to walk in the ways of the Word. This shows itself in our lives in a number of ways:
*Keep His commandments – if we love Christ we will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23)
*Walk in the same manner as Christ walked (1 John 2:6)
*“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6). Love is defined as obedience to God’s word.
*Walk in the truth. Obedience means that we will be walking in truth. It should be our desire. John talks of his delight in hearing of Christians obeying the Word. (2 John 6)
*The Saviours blessing is the distinction of the obedient Christian (Rev 1:3) There are 10 characteristics that mark a Christian meeting their obligation to the scripture:
*Receive – The Word is not just to be listened to. We are called to receive it. This involves accepting it and embracing it. (1 Thess. 2:13)
*Pray – God is the author of scripture and our help in understanding it. We should therefore ask His help in understanding the Word. (Ps. 119:18, Acts 6:4)
*Feed – “The Bible figurately describes Scripture as milk (1 Peter 2:2), bread (Deut. 8:3, Matt 4:4), meat (1cor.3:2), and honey (Ps 19:10). We are commanded to feed on the Word.
*Obey – Obedience is a mark of a true Christian. The story of Caleb in Numbers 14:22-24 highlights how much obedience pleases God.
*Honour – We are to honour God and His Word. In Nehemiah 8:5-6 this principle is demonstrated when the Israelites gladly did son upon their return the land after the Babylonian captivity.
*Study – We are to study God’s word and obey what we learn.
*Preach/teach -Jesus taught and preached the Word wherever He went. We are also to be ready to preach the gospel.
*Compel – The Word is our means to ‘convince ..hearers and convert them to the way of God’s truth’.
*Disciple - The Word is the means by which we may disciple others. This was commanded of Timothy in Paul’s second letter to him (2 Tim. 2:2)
*Tremble - Humble believers take God’s Word seriously.
Source: MacArthur, John and Mayhue, Richard. Biblical Doctrine (A systematic Summary of Bible Truth). (2017). Crossway Publishers. Illinois.
For Further Study:
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