SALVATION IN THE WORD by M. E. K.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 31.

SALVATION IN THE WORD.

By M. E. K.

To Timothy, his “own son in the faith,” the apostle Paul expresses himself in these words: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Tim. 4:16.

The line of thought of which these words express a part, evidently begins in the thirteenth verse: “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

Reading, exhortation, and doctrine are the things to which Paul would direct the mind of Timothy, his faithful disciple. By reading is evidently meant the reading and study of the Scriptures. Timothy was a student of the Word of God. “From a child” he had “known the Holy Scriptures,” which Paul assures him are able to make him “wise unto salvation.” The great source of wisdom was open to him, and the Spirit of God was his to enlighten his mind to an understanding of the Word, as it is for every one who earnestly desires to know the will of God, not for speculative purposes or theological disputes, but that he may do it.

In that Word Timothy was to find the doctrine. He was not to find it in notes, commentaries, glossaries, or opinions of it, even from the wisest and best of men, but he was to find it in the Word itself. Says the psalmist, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” What was the right way for Timothy is the right way for every one. “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. 3:16, 17.

Do we want doctrine,—a doctrine free from the errors, traditions, prejudices, mistakes, foolishness, and foibles of men? The Scriptures

are the place to look for such doctrine. Do we need reproof? and who does not? The Scriptures will furnish the truest, kindest, and most helpful reproof that can be found. As wayward sons, are we in need of correction? The Scripture correction has in it that element of love, which is so lacking in human corrections, which makes the correction for our good.

Do we need instruction in righteousness,—in right doing, right living? In the Scriptures may be found the law of righteousness. There, too, we learn of Christ, whose righteousness is imputed to us by faith, so that we and the law of righteousness may be in harmony.

Do we want to be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works? We must go to the Scriptures. We need to come into contact through that Word with the perfect God-man—Christ, the Saviour of the world, or we can never be perfect. Good works can only come through faith in him whom the Scriptures reveal, Jesus of Nazareth. For all these things, so necessary for happiness here and our eternal salvation, we must go to the Scriptures. There an abundant supply may be obtained.

Having studied the Scriptures, and become wise unto salvation, what was Timothy next to do? Was he to be idle, keeping to himself the fruits of the study, and the gifts which were given him of God, “with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery”?—No; he was to exhort others, teaching and imparting to them as far as possible what he had learned, referring them to the Scriptures as the source of his wisdom. He was not to do for others what they could do for themselves; but he was to direct them into the same green fields of truth wherein he had fed, that they might eat and be filled, and so be able to direct others to do the same. This was what Paul wished for Timothy; it is what Christ wishes for every one of his children; it is what they must do if they fulfil the object for which he has called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In order to do this work properly, Timothy was exhorted to take heed. He was to take heed to the doctrine, that it be clearly drawn from the Scriptures. Then it would be the truth, with no mixture of error. It would be powerful. “The Word of God is quick [living] and powerful.” It makes those who receive it perfect, “that the man of God may be perfect.” It leads to good works, “unto all good works.” Those who receive it are saved. “Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21.

There was also a personal message to Timothy: “Thyself and the . . . doctrine.” Not only was he to go to the Scriptures for doctrine, but he must make that seeking for light a personal matter. He was to search the Scriptures first of all for the benefit of Timothy. He was not to study the Scriptures to make him mighty, to confound the unbelieving Jews, or to convince the darkened Gentiles that Jesus was the Saviour of the world, and that he could and would save them if they would receive him. All that would come as a natural consequence of his own spiritual enlightenment when once he himself had received the divine illumination. This must be obtained first. So it was said, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

A principle is here revealed that should never be lost sight of by any one who hopes to be instrumental in the salvation of souls. A saved sinner is the only properly authorized person to carry the news of the salvation of God through the Gospel to those who are not saved.

Ordination to the ministry may not be sufficient evidence that one can rightly point sinners to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If the “laying on of the hands of the presbytery” is not accompanied by the unction of the Holy Spirit, there to abide upon the person set apart, if there is not a manifestation of that Spirit who once said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” then there is no certain evidence that the one upon whom hands have been laid is a saved man, or that he may be the means of saving others. If one has received the doctrine, studying first and taking it first for himself, until he knows the doctrine,—knows from a personal experience its saving power,—then he is able to point out to others the same saving power, and help them to receive what he has already received. Said the psalmist: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

M. E. K.