THE ALL-SUFFICIENT WORD.
By W. A. Sweany
W. A. SWEANY.
(Wadena, Minn.) “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 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.” 2 Tim. 3:14–17. These words correct the idea, so prevalent in the world, that the Bible deals only with spiritual things, and that Christianity consists merely of religious exercises, such as attending public worship once or twice a week, preaching, praying, singing, etc. Christianity consists of the right doing of every act of life. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do it heartily, with thy might, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to the glory of God, giving thanks in all things, unto God and the Father by Him. 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17, 23; Eccl. 9:10; Eph. 5:20. The Bible, which contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:2–4), supplies every need of human experience, so that he who studies to show himself approved unto God in everything he does, will indeed be “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Whether in the pulpit, office, shop, kitchen, field, or wherever our work may be, there is instruction in the Bible, which, when taught, interpreted, and applied by the Spirit of God, will enable us to do everything just right, thus making us perfect, and thoroughly furnishing us unto every good work. When we receive the Holy Ghost, He will teach us all things (John 14:26), and guide us into all truth (John 16:13), which is contained in His word. John 14:26; 17:17. Then we shall be “filled with the knowledge of His will,” and the ever-present Spirit will bring to our remembrance those things that He has taught us, and thus we shall be enabled to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being faithful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col. 1:9–11. Let us, then, “search the scriptures,” and “meditate upon these things;” giving ourselves wholly to them, that your profiting may appear to all. John 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:15, 16. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all sense; that ye may try the things that differ; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Phil. 1:9–11, margin. We believe and teach that the Bible is an up-to-date book, dealing with all the events and subjects that concern man, and that agitate the public mind, in religious, social, financial, and political circles, and that it is the only source of reliable and infallible information in these things. But let us not forget that our greatest need is, not to be thoroughly posted in, and familiar with, the great questions of the hour,—although this is indeed desirable,—but rather to be able to discern and do our duty in the every-day affairs of life, in the seemingly unimportant, but really all-important, little things, “for on the right performance of little things hang great results.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Standing, as we are, on the very border of the eternal world, surrounded with perils and dangers greater than have ever before beset the people of God, we need to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and having overcome all, to stand. Eph. 6:11–19. The word of God alone is able to build us up, and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. Acts 20:32.