It seems odd to me to explain this, and yet it seems so many don't understand why. Perhaps it is because they have not yet studied the Bible to a comprehensive level.
Jesus affirmed the importance of scripture and its authority. (for a good teaching on this go to http://www.xenos.org/essays/inerrcy.htm
We are to follow the example of Christ, who grew in wisdom and LEARNED obediance. Study the Gospels. Jesus knew, quoted, referred to, and in the way He spoke of the Holy Scripture affirmed the authority and importance of knowing the scriptures.
The Apostle letters over and over again encourage us to know and fill our minds and mouths with the scriptures (Word of God, word of Christ, God's Word, etc). These terms also reference the inspired word of God, in addition to the written Word. But we are also encouraged to make sure that our inspired Word of God stays consistant with the written Word - references here would be to the keeping to the teaching of our fathers and the apostles not letting in any false things.(-aa-)
Another reason: The best way to conquer temptation is to know the scriptures (the Word of God / the "it is written"s) better than Satan. For Satan's best tatics are imitating the beautiful sound and look of God and the angels, and using scripture with a twist. (90% truth + 10% lie + spiritual goosebumps feelings and beauty = a deep and terrible trap of deception).
Now this does NOT mean we become all study, and knowledge without Spirit and Inspiration. It means we MUST have both! Knowledge alone is dead. The Spirit without wisdom is powerful but we can be carried away spiritually by our fleshly passions without the founding knowledge of God. I firmly believe this is what Jesus was referring to when He said that we will worship in Spirit and in Truth. John 4 (Oh I could teach another 15-20 mins on this, giving you the historical context of the people groups Jesus was referring to and the context of the setting described in the passage itself, but I will not take the time to do so. I do however encourage YOU to do so.)
Colossians 3:12-17 (New International Version)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This is an incomplete study ... but I wanted to get this down before I let it fall
(-aa-)"not letting in any false things."
ReplyDeleteCol 2:5-8 // 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.