Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE WORD OF PURPOSE

The Holy Bible, the cannon of sixty-six books common to the King James Version is the Word of the Creator God of heaven and earth to mankind. Between its covers one finds the origin of man, his cause of condemnation, his means of salvation, as well as his trials, history, achievement of spiritual maturity, security, and hope that is both sure and steadfast. It is the prime directive of the race, and its importance eclipses all other documents combined. Despite criticisms to the contrary, it remains the basis of morals, laws, and faith which has sustained human life on the planet, and allowed governments and society at large to make meaningful progress. Where its teachings are observed, peace and progress abounds. Where its teachings are rejected misery, poverty, death and all manner of evil prevails. Truly, if only one collection of writings could be retained, and all others destroyed, this writer would not hesitate to name his collection to keep as the Holy Bible.

The Bible is not a history book, but it accurately records all one really needs to know about the history of civilization. It is not a science book. That is not its purpose, yet it is supportive of all systematized facts.

Stil others say, “Wel one can take it or leave it.” Yes, one can take it or leave it, temporarily, but to quote Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4. By the Word of God every person has the grace of life, and will by it ultimately be judged. It is alive, sharper than a two-edged sword, and will survive the universal cataclysm that is coming right on schedule. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the Word of God abideth forever. I Peter 1:23. Its purpose is to give one knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to escape the damnation of sin, and to elevate its disciples ultimately to eternal oneness with the Son of God.

You say that you have a Bible, but do not know its contents very well? That, my friend is the most awesome of responsibilities ignored with eternal consequences that are non-reversible!

Open that book! Read! Think! There is enormous purpose in your having a copy of the Bible!

FOR THOUGHT: Most all things in life are accompanied with an instructional manual. The Bible is God’s instructional manual to you about your life and your future. Are you ignoring the most important instructional manual in the universe? Of the 66 books of the Bible, how many can you list that you have read entirely at least once?

THE, “A,” AND “SO WHAT!”

“. . . that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3.

In language studies, many things are truly basic. Take, for instance, definite and indefinite articles: “The,” and “A.” Let’s think about them for a minute.“The” is referenced as the

“Definite article.” When used before a noun, it often means pointedly, specific, in contrast to any other. On the other hand, “A” is the “Indefinite article,” that alludes most often to one among others whether few or many. Now the inevitable question arises, “So what?” Wel , in theology, these indicate vast differences.

Consider the difference in referencing faith. One may express his joy and/or love for the Lord by the term “faith.” A good deed may be called a “faith” deed or work. However when the terminology in scriptures uses the definite article as an adjective to “faith” as in “the faith,” it is indicating specifically the system of doctrines set forth in the scriptures; those once delivered to the saints.

This is also true in other matters. How many discussions has this writer heard over the years around Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

A misunderstanding of the meaning of this verse led not a few in generations gone by to proclaim that one could not be born again from above (saved spiritually) without hearing the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus preached. Others went so far as to proclaim that such preaching had to be done by a minister of a specific type of church.

It was my lot to walk into a heated discussion of this very thing in my favorite drug store many years ago. Of course, the protagonist heavily emphasized “the” in the verse as teaching, beyond doubt, no other viewpoint. As a known, young seminary student, I was drawn into the discussion. I shared with them as humbly as I knew how that “The” was not in the original language, and therefore it must be correctly read “A.”

Truly, there are many witnesses of the power of God, and man’s accountability of himself to Him. Romans 10:18 indicates a true witness throughout the earth, even unto the ends of the world. Doubtless, this is a reference to the first few verses of Psalm 19, and the witness of creation itself.

Is there anything so powerful as the actual gospel message in one’s native language? I think not! But truth is truth. Christ Jesus is not a Savior; He is THE Savior, but all of His handiwork testifies of Him, and is sufficiently empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring men to their knees in repentance. So what? Well, simply put, no one will be in hell but those who have rejected such grand testimonies and opportunities to be saved.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you see the importance of language indicators for proper understanding of ideas? There are many witnesses in creation of God inducing men to trust in Him, however, Do you see that the witness of New Testament truth, and how to acceptably serve Him is restricted to the Word? How much Bible reading do you do to help you see the systematized faith once delivered to the saints?

THERE IS A LION IN THE STREET

When asked to help a needy family cut firewood, a man said to his solicitor, “I can’t do that. The Russians are coming and they are red, and fire engines are red, and they are coming so there must be a fire somewhere.” His wife later asked why he had given such nonsense as an excuse. The answer was simple: one excuse is as good as another when you don’t want to do something. This is reminiscent of Solomon’s sayings in Proverbs. He writes of fools and sluggards in Chapters 22 and 26. Of special note is this verse: “The slothful man saith, there is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” 26:13. This is an excuse to not get out of the house and do something. He went on to say, “The slothful hideth his hand in his boom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.” 26:15.

These things are familiar excuses to modern day pastors. Personally, I have not heard anyone say that they could not come to church because there was a lion in the streets, but the probable reason for that is that they had not read the writings of Solomon. Certainly, there are many modern day excuses just as frivolous.

How easy it is nowadays to turn a deaf ear to the pleas of pastors and others to actively invest the days of life into the service of the Lord. Such are passed off as being of little value, and mostly without any compunction at all. But one may be certain, and herewith reminded that it will not always be this way. Jesus spoke of the kingdom in terms of a wedding feast in Matthew 22:11-13. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. The said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Make of this what you will. The day is coming when Christian qualifications that are freely offered here and now will be extremely important, so important that those who have disregarded them flippantly will lament in speechlessness. So, let’s get it right. There is no lion in the street! God’s work is important! Do it while you may! “There is no work nor device . . . in the grave whether thou goest.” Ecc. 9”10:

FOR THOUGHT: The blind of heart and mind believes and lives as though what is now will always be for them personally. Excuses come easily. Do they come that way for you? Do you understand that the thief comes when he is not expected? So also is the second coming of Jesus. Be done with the lion in the street idea, and trust Him as your own!

THEY REALLY DID NOT KNOW?!

“ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:38, 39.

The Divine description of life in the antediluvian world is one of basic, sinful, sensuality being the driving force of life; of an epicurean society who did not eat to live, but they lived to eat, drink, and gratify wanton lusts. The deciding clue comes from the rest of that description, “...And knew not until the flood came and took them all away…”

It was not that they had not heard, but it was one of blatant disbelief that stole their hearing (comprehension and perception of reality) How they must have tired of the 120 year long preachments of Noah and his persistence through decades of ark-building. So, they had neither regard for God nor any sense of accountability to Him. Therein, life degenerates to the lowest level of “me only.” When that determination persists, God gives people over to a reprobate mind to do those things that are not convenient, but things that are rotten, filthy, and without compassion. So, they continued on in a lifestyle of debauchery which they must have thought would never end. And the flood came and took them all away, except the righteous man Noah and his family.

Jesus’ description of that time was given as a warning sign that the world would degenerate into that same condition as the time of His coming approached. Let the reader pause and read again the first chapter of the book of Romans. Certainly, this is a description of the dark side of civilization in Paul’s day. But that was nearly 2000 years ago. The kind of folks he described were the same kind of those before the flood. Moreover, this type of humanity has multiplied exponentially during the last two millenniums. On the American scene, at least, this has become considered normal and acceptable. It is not that warnings have escaped the scope of their knowledge; rather it is that they refuse to believe them, and so discount them altogether. In the strictest sense, THEY KNEW, but tiring of the time, were shocked when the warning they were exposed to became a reality. It is to be repeated! What can be done? Keep sounding the alarm!

This evil world system is going down, and all with it who love it. But there may be one here or there who will hear. Still, for the most part it shall be repeated, “And they knew not . . . “ So soon shall the Lord appear, and the corrupters of men will cry for the rock and mountains to fall upon them to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

Rev. 6:16.

FOR THOUGHT: The generation who remembers WWII even faintly, has seen more changes in the world than any generation before them. While most every generation has decried changes as significant signs of the end of the age, what do you think of the views of the present older generation? Are the many indicators of societal degeneration warning of the soon return of Jesus? If so, are you ready to meet Him. Do you realize you have an appointment with Him? Do you think anything will be acceptable with Him if He is not your Savior?

THEY REJOICED WITH EXCEEDING GREAT JOY!

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:10.

While it cannot be definitely proven that Jesus was born in December, let alone the 25th, it is generally accepted by the Christian world to remember, and to celebrate His birth at that time. During this time of year, nights on the Judean hills can be quite chilly, making warming shepherd flames most welcome.

Perhaps it was indeed a chilly night when Mary and Joseph found no room in the Inn in Bethlehem, and were forced to retreat to a stable to avoid bitter cold in the hour of childbirth. It is easy enough to visualize that scenario.

Meanwhile, there were shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flocks that night when the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and made the announcement that many in Judea had longed to hear. They heard! Then, they went to see this marvelous thing that had come to pass! And they rejoiced with exceeding great joy as Luke 2 records it!

Millennia have come and gone since then. Still the good news is as joyful, vibrant and arresting as it was back then. God has become a man! He became one of us that we might be one with Him! Rejoice! Rejoice with exceeding great joy!

Fast forwarding to today, it is believed that in the holiday season from Thanksgiving through Christmas, there are more emotional extremes than at any other time of year. There is something extremely sad and depressing or extremely exciting and happy in the heart of every person about the very idea of Christmas. The awesomeness of the extreme awfulness of sin, and its effects in the world and upon every person coming into the world is overwhelming, but so is the magnificent, unexplainable wonder of compelling love; love that caused God to give His only begotten Son, and His only begotten Son coming into our world under extremely impoverished conditions. Additionally, He did for Adam’s race what no mortal could ever do! He wrought redemption for every repentant sinner. What then can I give Him, poor as I am? The best gift of all: what He came to redeem: my heart! And I rejoice with exceeding great joy!

FOR THOUGHT: How do you view the Christmas Jesus Who became the resurrected Christ?

Do His promises live as personal guarantees in your heart? Do you agree that knowing Him is more than a mental ascent; that it takes personal acknowledgment and repentance of sin while looking to Him and His accomplishments as your personal substitute and redeemer? If not, will you

trust

Him

now?