If God Has Spoken...
By Jeremy D. Joy

"GOD... HAS IN THESE LAST DAYS SPOKEN TO US BY HIS SON" — HEBREWS 1:1-2

It is hard to imagine that the supreme God of the universe would even want to communicate with men and women who question His existence and second-guess His revelation, much less have a relationship with them. The creation has no right to protest or raise objections against the Creator because of His right to operate as He pleases (Romans 9:19-21). We have an obligation to be humble and reverent before Him. "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him" (Habakkuk 2:20). What if God has spoken? What are our responsibilities?

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.. " (Hebrews 1:1-2a).

If God has spoken, we must seek to understand. Peter promised his readers that they could know and understand the truth as he received it from Jesus, even after his death, by reading what was written (1 Peter 1:12-15; 3:1-2). Understanding the will of God is both a promise (Ephesians 3:3-4) and a command (Ephesians 5:17). We must use our minds to comprehend the revelation of God.

If God has spoken, we must have the right attitude.    There are two basic mind-sets toward the truth: we can view the Scriptures subjectively or objectively. The difference between the two involves whether we trust our feelings or believe in a power higher than ourselves. Will we hear and understand or will we filter the truth through our prejudices and preconceived notions? We must examine our attitude as hearers (Matthew 13:14-15).

If God has spoken, we must respect the message. To have a lack of respect for either some or all of the Bible is to have a lack of respect for God and the inspired apostles and prophets by whom the truth was revealed. "There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another" (James 4:I2)? The one true God inherently has legislative, executive, and judicial authority, and men and women cannot disregard it without consequence (John 12:48).

If God has spoken, the message is vital to our salvation. It makes no sense that God would communicate a message that is optional. The New Testament is the complete and final revelation of God to men and women. There will be no more revelations. We must listen if we want to be saved. (Hebrews 1: 1-4).

We cannot casually dismiss the truth, if God has spoken. There is too much at stake!

 

 

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