What Does The Bible Plainly Say?
Many are very confused as to what the Bible says on a variety of subjects. This is readily evidenced by the myriad of denominational churches and the differing doctrines they espouse. Have you ever wondered where all these things originated? They are spawned in the minds of men. What did the Lord say about this? In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus was very “plain” when He warned of this very thing. After calling the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites” He said: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Could anything be any more plain?
Why you ask, is this the case? Why do folks “conjure” up things to do in worship that are not in God’s Word? Why do they alter God’s Word to make commandments which God has not made? The answers are simple. 1) Many do not know God’s Word. It is obvious why they fail to know what God has said. They don’t read, study, or meditate on the Bible. This is why we are told in 2Timothy 2:15 to study. This is why the psalmist in Psalm 1:1-2 was directed to describe the “happy” or blessed man who found his delight in the meditation of God’s Word, day and night. When folks fail to read, study and meditate on God’s Word, they become as those in 2Peter 3:16, “unlearned and unstable” and as a result, they “wrest” the scriptures to their own destruction.
2) Some simply want things “their way” and find someone to teach them what they want to hear. This occurred in the O.T. with the Israelites. We see in Isaiah 30:9-10, God’s own people, the “rebellious people, lying children” requested: “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things”. This also continued into the N.T. as 2Timothy 4:3 warns of those with “itching ears” which will not “endure sound doctrine”. In Acts 20:30, Paul warned the Ephesian elders that some of them would speak “perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Only those who want things “their way” would ignore God’s Word and what it plainly says.
Sometime in the early 80’s, my wife’s father wrote the following poem which clearly indicates that God has made His Will known to us through His Word. What God has said, He has said plainly. One must be ignorant, or just obstinate to not follow it. As you read this. see how relevant these questions are even today.
What Does The Bible Say?
What does the Bible say about God’s Will to save?
What does the Bible say about the plan He gave?
What does it say we all must do,
When we have read it’s message true?
What does the Bible plainly say?
What does the Bible say about the word immerse?
What is the “mode” described within the inspired verse?
Not to be scripturally baptized,
Forfeits our hope of Paradise.
What does the Bible plainly say?
What does the Bible say about the way to live?
What does the Bible say about the way to give?
What of the first-fruits that we owe?
What of the gifts we should bestow?
What does the Bible plainly say?
What does the Bible say about the feast we spread?
What does the Bible say about the Cup and Bread?
What of the way we should partake?
What if His table we forsake?
What does the Bible plainly say?
What does the Bible say about the name to wear?
What does the Bible say how we His cross should bear?
What of the suffering for His sake?
What of His glory to partake?
What does the Bible plainly say?
O.D. Wilson – deceased
Do yourself an eternal favor. Read God’s Word. Rightly divide it. Know it and properly follow it. Examine yourself by God’s Word. Then make the needed changes so you can live and worship as He desires. Show your love for God in faithful obedience to His Word.
Avoid the trap of drawing nigh unto God with your mouth, honoring Him with your lips, while your heart is far from Him by following man’s teaching.
Look closely, God has plainly said what He wants you to do and how to do it in His Holy Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
