THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD While "sound words" refer to the vocabulary used to declare truth, "doctrine" refers to the development of the implications of that truth. "Words" emphasize how it is taught, "doctrine" declares what is taught. Doctrine is an essential part of the kingdom of God. It is the means God has chosen to bring men into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). Tomorrow:
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME." (Psa 138:2) ". . . for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!" (Amplified Bible)
Devotion 21 of 30
There are many doctrines in the world, and thus we have an arena of competition. There are "doctrines of men" (Mark 7:7), "doctrines of devils" (I Tim. 4:1), and "the doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9). There are objectives behind all of these doctrines. The "doctrines of men" have been originated by men and have objectives that center in men's vanity. The "doctrines of devils" were originated by demonic hosts, and are designed to draw men into perdition. The "doctrine of Christ," on the other hand, proclaims Christ Jesus, the significance of His redemption, and the means by which men may appropriate it. Anyone who speaks in the name of the Lord has a doctrine – their doctrine is what they say. Used properly, the word "doctrine" is always in the singular.
Doctrine must be correct. While men are tolerant of "diverse doctrines" (Heb. 13:9), God is not. This is what molds men's minds. This is what provides them with a view of God, and in things pertaining to God, what motivates them.
THE PRECIOUSNESS OF THE WORD
It is the identification of the word of God with Himself and His objectives that makes it precious. It is not precious because it is scarce, for it has been given to us in abundance. God has spoken freely of His purpose. He has not concealed or veiled it. Deity, His work, the world, man, sin, Satan, heaven, hell, right, and wrong – God has spoken without restraint on all of these things.
He chose Moses to reveal the beginning of all things, as well as the moral reflection of Himself in the law. He chose the prophets to introduce us to Divine planning or purpose – to the coming of a deliverer, and the accomplishments of the propitiation for sins. The apostles opened up the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, as well as His illuminating words concerning the kingdom of God. Their words are not few, and they are not mysterious. With consistency they spoke with great "plainness of speech" (2 Cor. 3:12). Because they had "the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2:16), their aim was to "persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11), not merely to fulfill an obligation. How precious the words that come from such involvement and concern.
Before the law was given, there "was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job" (Job 1:1). He was a man who was "perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil." The things he received from God were rudimentary compared to the revelation men now have in Christ (Heb. 1:2), but they were precious to him. With grand perception he cried, "Neither have I turned back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). He valued the sustenance of the soul above that of the body. Oh that this perception were more common in our day, when the revelation of God is more plentiful, more accessible, and more understandable!
Several centuries after Job, a young man became predominant in things pertaining to God. He was known as the "sweet psalmist of Israel" (I Sam. 23:1), the one God took from the sheepfolds and made His servant (Psa. 78:70). With poetic expressiveness he wrote concerning the Divine judgments; "More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey in the honeycomb" (Psa. 19:10). Not only did he perceive the word of God as having inherent worth; he also knew it was satisfying to the inner nature of man. It spoke of what man needed, provided what his heart required, and addressed eternal and relevant issues.
It is imperative that the word of God be so received if it is to profit man. Job and David perceived the truth, and that is what prompted their expressions. The word of God is precious. It is to be preferred above bodily nourishment; it does transcend the worth of fine gold; and it is satisfying to the soul! That is because it is an expression of God's heart and aim. It is because it is the one thing tailored for fallen man.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the satisfying quality of Your wonderful word.