Ques. 16. What is the force of Heb. 5:11-14? What is it to be dull of hearing? What is meant by the word of righteousness? R. B.
Ans. These Hebrew Christians had not clearly seen the distinction between Christianity and Judaism, brought up in a religion of ordinances: the tendency, if coldness came in, was to go back to their forms and ceremonies. The writer wanted to speak of Christ in His glory, but their state hindered him from at once unfolding the truth as to His place in glory. He had to arouse their attention, and point out what they were losing; so he calls them "dull of hearing", they had gone back instead of forward, and had become such as had need of milk, and not of solid food. Milk is not the full truth as to the death, resurrection, and glory of Christ; but is rather what could be known of the truth before He died. Solid food belongs to full grown men, who can discern both good and evil, having their senses exercised: that is, the "word of righteousness", presents Christ to us as dead, risen and glorified; so the "full age" means, one who knows Christ thus. It is not forms, ceremonies, and ordinances; it is a living, triumphant Savior at God's right hand, in whom we stand. This is the perfection mentioned in Heb. 6:1.
The "word of righteousness" is what reveals to us the true practical relationships of the soul to God according to His character and ways. We are brought to God in perfect consistency with His character through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ques. 17
Does Psa. 23:5 refer to the Lord's Table? B. McC.
Ans. The Psalms are primarily for Israel. Jehovah is the name God takes in relationship with them. It is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that is made known to Christians. Keeping this difference in mind, we can use much of the language of the Psalms to describe our feelings, experiences and blessings.
We could not find a better sample of this than the 23rd Psalm. Each word and line we might apply in a spiritual way to ourselves, and feed and lie down in the green pastures of His word, and by the still waters of His presence.
The Lord's Table will then be a delight to our souls, and will strengthen our communion as we remember Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Ques. 18
Why does it say in Matt. 7:1-5, that we are not to judge, and in 1 Cor. 5:12, 13, that we are to judge?
Ans. Matt. 7:1-5, plainly forbids us from judging the motives of a man's heart. We cannot see underneath, and something worse may be seen in our own case than is seen in our brother. We must therefore make every allowance for others and be very careful to judge ourselves, (see also Rom. 14), where in some things all may not agree, but each is to go on as he has learned the way for himself. Also see 1 Cor. 4:3-5, where Paul leaves this till the Lord shall come.
In 1 Cor. 5, it is not a question of motives, but of the judgment of evil in our lives. Here it was fornication. It was manifestly against God's institution, it was immorality.
In Christian fellowship there must be judgment of evil; "a little leaven leavens the whole lump," that is, if we allowed this sin to go on amongst us, we would all be guilty or leavened by it. So the "within" spoken of here is the fellowship of the saints, and we are responsible to put away evil from amongst us. Outside of that we leave it to God. He will judge all men, fellowship of saints can only be right when evil is judged and put away.
The Lord Jesus in the midst of His gathered people Matt. 18:20, gives us wisdom how to deal with each case that may be allowed to arise.