Scarecrows (Photo credit: MrGiles)
After posting this title, should you see me hanging from a tree on the side of the road (some cling tightly to that term, reform), at least wave… please (wasn’t someone looking for a scarecrow)?
It …is …all …okay (really, it is).
I just detected the desire to bring a thought into my world this morning and knew my title would make a great attention-getter (hey, it got mine).
At his conversion, Paul had a couple of questions for Jesus that I think sums well our purposed intent as believers in the risen Lord. He asked of Jesus, “Who are you?” and “What will you have me do?” He then spent the rest of his life pursuing the answers to those questions (it still amazes me that later in life, Paul would still cry out, “that I might know Him”).
To the credit of Reformed Theology, I have to tell you that I think much of the excellent stuff being published today comes through their pens. Men like Piper, Carson, and Sproul have studied to show themselves approved and then passed those studies to those of us lower on the food chain. For that, I am eternally grateful.
But what of that second question? What will the Lord have me be doing? See, reading and study often comes easy for me because it’s what I cherish spending my time doing. So much so that sadly I sometimes wonder if I can find perfect contentment locked in my study with my library of biblical resources and never recognize that I may be fully ignoring the second question.
Revisiting that disturbing title of mine; isn’t that at least a semblance of what the Pharisees were guilty of? Having the source to know and not do?
We know from his letters that Paul expected believers to be in study of the Word (learning who Jesus is); that’s a given, but what conclusion do we find the early believers coming to as what to do with the knowledge once they heard from God (what will you have me do?)? …a couple hints I graciously offer as suggestions: Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 5, 6 & 7; 28:18-20. Any thoughts from your side?
“Get away from me you dagnabbit crow! …and take the Boston Red Sox with you!”
ccragamuffin
mtsweat
In the words of Charles Edward Mudie . . .
To Thee, Thou dying Lamb, I all things owe:
All that I have and am; and all I know.
All that I have is now no longer mine,
And I am not my own: Lord, I am Thine.
Amen!
The problem is that we often study to become stuffed heads and never leave our posts.
Peace & Grace,
Sister Olive
Well said Olive, well said. Blessings good friend.
Perhaps a line from Charles Spurgeon brings out a key aspect of your title: “… it is a dangerous state of things if doctrine is made to drive out precept.” http://spurgeonwarquotes.wordpress.com/
Mr. Spurgeon’s words are illuminating, inspiring, and possibly painful. He pulled no punches. Well said! Thanks!
Those who study do good
And I love to study it is true
But to know Him is the goal of study
And by knowing Him I know you
Study for the mere sake of knowledge
Will steer us far off course
And such persistence
Entails a distance
From Him—
A lost connection to the Source
For seekers of God, books will fade
And words on paper drift away
Properly purposed
They lead to a surplus
In knowing, not merely knowing of,
The Way
Awesome RJ! Greatly appreciate your sharing this. Fantastic!
Although I’m sure I’d be comfortable in the office next to yours, studying and learning, but He also said be a doer. So I guess, teaching and speaking, will also have to be part of it!
In the unity of the Spirit of Christ, we study next door to one another, then serve side by side in the mission field, allowing the gifts we’ve been given to bring glory to Jesus. Amen!
I love to study the Word truly but to be a hearer (or a studier) only is to deny the full gospel. We are called to be doers of the Word we study. Without the doing of the Word our faith dies.
Well said good friend… well said.
Hi MT,
The Lord has called each one of us to our won individual ministries for Him. For some of us it may involve more studying than others. Such as the men you mentioned (another that comes to my mind is John MacArthur). But if you notice each of those men also then shared what they learned with others.
Others are not called to as much research, but more practical types of service for Him. But once again to be obedient, they are also sharing what they know with those around them.
I guess my point, and the point of your blog is this…
There are two “musts” in Christian service… Learning His Word and then sharing what we know with others. If we concentrate solely on one or the other we have missed the boat.
I guess, based upon my calling, I see such a need for more Biblical knowledge in today’s time.
It is so sad to see others claiming to share the Word out of ignorance or maliciousness, teaching error instead of the truths of the Word. This, I believe, is why there is so much false teaching abounding today. Also, there are many Christians, due to a lack of knowledge fall prey to those who teach falsely.
Great posting MT. May the Lord bless you my friend.
You give us a fantastic response to chew on Pastor Rob; a nice rib eye there. Thanks!
I must be about my Father’s business.
ya’ men… scarecrows work for food too. :0