ANTIOCH CHURCH OF CHRIST

James 1:21 – “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

We must discover the significance of the word of God. Note why some of the writers of the New Testament books wrote:

· John wrote in 1 John 5:13, "...These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’

· Jude records in Jude verse 3, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

· Peter affirms in 2 Peter 3:2, "That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.”

· Paul relates to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:15, "… that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

These writers found it necessary to write. We should find their writings necessary to read, to study, to meditate upon, to put into practice. Paul assured Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” We cannot expect to be the people of God without using His word.

Have you ever bought a desk or some item, which required you to set it up? Inside the packaging, you will find that the product comes complete with instructions on how to assemble it. I'm sure that I am not alone in saying, "I should have used the instructions from the start." Much time and energy can be wasted in putting a unit together without heeding the instructions. Parts are put where they don't fit. Extra pieces still lie on the floor once you've finished. "I SHOULD HAVE USED THE INSTRUCTIONS!"

There is a certain way to build whatever it might be that you have bought. The enclosed instructions reveal the plans. A Christian life is much the same. We try to make it by ourselves. "I know how to do it," we declare. And things continually crumble to the ground. A word of advice --- refer to the instructions. The word of God is a guidebook for the soul. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for ... instruction in righteousness..." God hasn't left us to attempt on our own to determine what we should do. He's given us a guide which "...pertains to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3) The inspired apostle Paul gave the command in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”