God Speaks
Recently, on a local denominational sign, the subject of an upcoming study was announced. It was: “Does God Speak To Us?” Assuming that “us” indicates humanity, one needs only read two chapters of the Bible to see that in Genesis 2:16 that God did communicate with man by giving commandment and He gave it by “saying” it to man. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: What is there to “examine” as to whether or not God spoke to humanity? The evidence is right there in black and white.
The question should never be whether or not God still speaks to humanity, but “how” God speaks to humanity. Also, it should never be “assumed” that God has always spoken to man in the same fashion or by the same means or continues to do so. We know from Genesis 20:3 that God warned Abimelech against continuing to follow his desires with the wife of Abraham. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. Then we read in Genesis 15:1 we see that a vision is employed by God to convey a message to Abram. After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
When God speaks, man should always hear and listen to what God says. If we read Genesis 3:8 it is apparent that man does not always heed what God says when He says it. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. We also know how that worked out for Adam and Eve. Their refusal to heed what God told them to do cost them paradise.
Since we all now live in the New Testament age, how God speaks to humanity now is what should concern us. While it is true that God, in the beginning of the early part of the New Testament age, spoke in various ways, including visions and dreams and such, He does so no longer. In 1Corinthians 13:8-10 the Spirit had Paul address the duration of those things such as miracles and miraculous communication from God to man. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Hebrews 1:1-2 also deals with how God speaks to mankind in the past and now. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; But we need to understand that the “method” or “mode” of doing so is through the Word of God. “That which is perfect” (above) is the fully revealed Word of God. How does speak to us today? Only through His Word. Below is a poem written by my father-in-law which can also be sung to the tune of the hymn: “Let Him Have His Way With Thee”, the last verse serving as the chorus. It may help us all understand how God speaks to us today and why Jesus stated what He did in John 8:32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Know that truth and be free – Listen to what God has said to us and do it!
God Speaks Only Through His Word
I believe the Scriptures are inspired and wholly true,
In them God has said, what he wants us to do.
And He has no double standards, makes no difference who,
God speaks only through His Word.
There are those who say the Lord speaks in a quiet voice,
And this inner peace, inspires them to rejoice.
Jesus said the written Word is that we may believe,
I have made His Word my choice.
Others say the conscience is a safe and trusted guide,
But it’s uninspired, don’t trust what it decides.
It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah ten, twenty three
The Lord is speaking unto men today,
But through His written Word this is the way.
The Holy Spirit said what He must say,
So God speaks only through His Word today.
O.D. Wilson - deceased
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
