This series has presented two diametrically opposed reactions to the Words of Jesus Christ. What part does this information play in the lives of those who today call themselves His brethren, His friends? His answer to that question is: EVERY PART. There is no part of the saint’s life that is not dominated by Paul’s questions and the response of Jesus Christ to his questions. “Who are you?” HE IS THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY. “What would you have me do, Lord?” OBEY HIM–HIS WORD, which includes the Old Testament, for “Holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21) and their words were recorded “for OUR instruction” (1 Cor. 10:11). “ALL Scripture (including the Old Testament) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, to correction and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:14-16). Notice the word “is” (present tense), which means at the time of that writing, at this time and forever. In this context, “is” is presented in present perfect tense, meaning that the subject was, is and will be the same yesterday, today and forever, just as Jesus Christ, Whom God calls “THE WORD” (Jn. 1:1-4/ Rev. 19:13), is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). The Bible is God’s Word in written form.  Jesus is God’s Word in human form.  God’s true saints who “walk even as He walked” (1 Jn. 2:6), “purify themselves even as He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3) and “… overcome (Satan) even as I overcame” (Rev. 3:21) are God’s Word in human form. The word “Christian” literally means disciples (those who obey) of Christ. A disciple performs the will of his/her leader. To deviate from that rule means that one is no longer a disciple. It is the leader’s responsibility to tell his disciples what is required of them and to do it himself as their example. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled this rule perfectly. His saints follow in His footsteps in every area of life.

“What would the Lord have me do?” is the question every honest God-seeker must ask himself routinely. The answer must be, “Obey the commandments.” The Ten Commandments are a summary of the entire Bible–the Law. The first two commandments summarize the following eight, which “hang” on the first two (Mat. 22:40), meaning that they explain the first two. The Ten Commandment Law covers every sin man can possibly commit. Transgressing that Law is sin (1 Jn. 3:4), which means that obeying it is righteousness. When asked by a lawyer what he must do in order to have eternal life, Jesus replied: “What does it say in the Law? How do you read it?” The Lawyer quoted the first two commandments of the Law. Jesus then replied: “You have answered correctly. Do that and you shall live.” Christ’s answer is so clear a child can understand it: “OBEY THE LAW AND YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER.” A child can also understand: “DISOBEY THE LAW AND DIE FOREVER.” What the rich man understood and believed, the Institutional Church refuses rejects. She is so deceived by Satan (Rev. 12:9) that she is incapable of believing this most elementary of Christ’s teachings. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SATAN. Billions have, do and will continue to do to their peril. Where you hear any deviation from God’s written Word you are witnessing the manifestation of Satan’s ministry. False prophets fill the thousands of pulpits found throughout the world. They preach the devil’s lies because they believe them, having been taught by those who also believed them. They believe them because their god (Satan) has blinded their eyes to God’s Truth found only in His Holy Scriptures. The problem lies in deliberate, self-inflicted Scriptural ignorance. Religious man refuses to obey God’s command to “STUDY (His Word) to show thyself approved of God” (2 Tim. 2:15). Rather, they listen to those whom Satan has placed before them, professional ear-scratchers who tell them what they want to hear. Learning is the only way to eradicate ignorance. Learning requires STUDY. God not only commands that we study His Word, but tells us exactly how to do it.

False prophets, and subsequently the billions who follow them, fail to obey God’s commandment concerning Bible study. We find this commandment in Isaiah 28:9,10. Leading up to this Scripture Study Rule, the prophet asks who can God teach His Truths? Who is able to understand the love letter God preserved for all men? The answer is, he who studies that word: “precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” In order to drive home this Truth God has His prophet repeat the command in verse 13.

It is the responsibility of God’s true minister to study His Word, glean its Truth, then share that Truth with His true disciples while manifesting that Truth in his words, thoughts and deeds. It then becomes the responsibility of the minister’s disciples to study God’s Truth for themselves, believe it and obey it. Those who do so will spend eternity with the Author of those Truths. L.J.