Thus Saith the Lord - Part 1
I can remember being impressed early in my knowledge of the Restoration Movement (independent Christian churches, churches of Christ) with the emphasis on the term “Thus Saith the Lord.” You will find that phrase used in the Bible over 400 times! It represents God’s direct commands. The thought expressed by early Restoration Movement leaders was that nothing should be required of the Christian without a Thus Saith the Lord to back it up. In other words, we need a command from God before we insist on anything in the Christian arena.
The Lord speaking is a big deal. From the beginning, we hear “And God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). The universe was created by the words of God. His words are powerful! God said to the first humans, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for the day you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16, 17). Violating God’s word brought sin into the world, and the Apostle Paul will later say, “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The world has been reeling from that ever since. All bad things have a root in sin and Satan who promotes sin. He was the one who tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. When tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread (Jesus had just fasted 40 days), Jesus replies, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
God provides an answer to sin – again through his word. The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. All things were made through him… And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, as the only son from the Father (John 1:1, 3, 14). Jesus was God’s word in human form, God’s word embodied in flesh.
On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus is honored by the presence of Moses and Elijah. God will speak to the disciples present and say, “This is my Son, my chosen one; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). In saying this God shows Jesus to be superior to the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). He is Emmanuel, God with us – we must listen to him to learn God’s way of forgiveness, redemption, and right living. As we see over and over, God’s word is key (Thus Saith the Lord)! We must listen to God’s words, especially as expressed by Jesus and his authorized apostles who speak for him after his death, resurrection, and return to heaven. They write what we call the New Testament, which provides the words of Jesus and their inspired words of instruction.
The apostles will tell us, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). If we call ourselves Christian (Christ follower) it is only true as we follow, and we cannot follow without knowing the words of God that instruct us in righteousness.
The Apostle Paul will commend his apprentice Timothy because, “You have been acquainted with the sacred writings (scripture), which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). We live in an age of biblical illiteracy among those who claim to be Christian. This needs to change. Through personal study, through Sunday classes with mature teachers, through solid small groups with seasoned leaders, through biblical preaching from the pulpit, we must engage regularly with God’s Word. I’ve been a Christian since childhood, studied the Bible throughout my life, but I know for a fact that those times I neglect it, I quickly start gravitating to cultural standards. Christian maturity never becomes automatic.
This is one of the reasons the Hebrew writer will say, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some” (Heb. 10: 24, 25). And it’s why the early church, “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). We need what a good church provides! We will drift away and gravitate to sinful ways otherwise. We need to pay attention to Thus Saith the Lord!
Cross Point: Thus saith the Lord, “Stand by the road, look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).
The Lord speaking is a big deal. From the beginning, we hear “And God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). The universe was created by the words of God. His words are powerful! God said to the first humans, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for the day you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16, 17). Violating God’s word brought sin into the world, and the Apostle Paul will later say, “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The world has been reeling from that ever since. All bad things have a root in sin and Satan who promotes sin. He was the one who tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. When tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread (Jesus had just fasted 40 days), Jesus replies, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
God provides an answer to sin – again through his word. The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. All things were made through him… And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, as the only son from the Father (John 1:1, 3, 14). Jesus was God’s word in human form, God’s word embodied in flesh.
On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus is honored by the presence of Moses and Elijah. God will speak to the disciples present and say, “This is my Son, my chosen one; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). In saying this God shows Jesus to be superior to the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). He is Emmanuel, God with us – we must listen to him to learn God’s way of forgiveness, redemption, and right living. As we see over and over, God’s word is key (Thus Saith the Lord)! We must listen to God’s words, especially as expressed by Jesus and his authorized apostles who speak for him after his death, resurrection, and return to heaven. They write what we call the New Testament, which provides the words of Jesus and their inspired words of instruction.
The apostles will tell us, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). If we call ourselves Christian (Christ follower) it is only true as we follow, and we cannot follow without knowing the words of God that instruct us in righteousness.
The Apostle Paul will commend his apprentice Timothy because, “You have been acquainted with the sacred writings (scripture), which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). We live in an age of biblical illiteracy among those who claim to be Christian. This needs to change. Through personal study, through Sunday classes with mature teachers, through solid small groups with seasoned leaders, through biblical preaching from the pulpit, we must engage regularly with God’s Word. I’ve been a Christian since childhood, studied the Bible throughout my life, but I know for a fact that those times I neglect it, I quickly start gravitating to cultural standards. Christian maturity never becomes automatic.
This is one of the reasons the Hebrew writer will say, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some” (Heb. 10: 24, 25). And it’s why the early church, “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). We need what a good church provides! We will drift away and gravitate to sinful ways otherwise. We need to pay attention to Thus Saith the Lord!
Cross Point: Thus saith the Lord, “Stand by the road, look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Posted in Cross Points