Ques. A young Christian wants to know how to study Scripture rightly. And if the first day of the week is the Lord's day. And how to act toward other Christians? R. P.
Ans. Your desire to grow in grace is just what the Lord tells you to do along with the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:1818But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)). These two things go together.
Studying the Scriptures may get them into your head and mind. We are not told to study the Word of God, but to feed upon it. And to do this we must read it with prayer, that He may give us to understand it (1 Peter 2:22As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2); Acts 6:44But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)). Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart (Jer. 15:1616Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)). It is the food for our souls (Matt. 4:44But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)).
To get acquainted with it, we need to read it or hear it read; but to understand it, we need to ask the Lord to teach us that we may treasure it in our hearts.
When we believed on Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)), and He is our great Teacher (John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16), and 16:13, 14; also 1 Cor. 2:10, 12, 1310But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12‑13), and 1 John 2:2727But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)), and prayer is needed to keep us from receiving wrong thoughts about it, and to keep us from the imaginations of our own minds (1 Thess. 5:2121Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)).
I am to study to show myself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)). And for this I must go on patiently waiting on the Lord from day to day. In waiting on the Lord, we get the word as we need it. We feed upon it as the daily food for our souls. The Holy Spirit applying it, gives us understanding and strength in spiritual things. He teaches us more of Christ.
The First day of the week, is the Christian's day. On it, Christ rose from the dead; on it, the Holy Spirit came down to dwell in the Church on earth; on it, the early Christians came together to remember the Lord in the Lord's supper (Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)). So it is called the Lord's day (Rev. 1:1010I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10). Psa. 118:2424This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24), is the Millennial day when Christ returns to reign). The First day of the week is specially the Lord's, though no commandment is given, but love delights to give it to Him, and to spend it for Him.
The Seventh or Sabbath day is the day Jehovah gave to His earthly people, Israel, and to them only. Strangers came and settled among them, and there was one law for Israel and for all that dwelt among them (Ex. 12:4949One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (Exodus 12:49)). We do not find that the Sabbath was ever given to Gentile nations, or to the Church, but to Israel only. The law was given to them from God by Moses (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." "We are not under the law, but under grace." Rom. 6:1414For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14).
The standard for our walk as Christians is not the law, but higher than that, it is Christ Himself. "To me to live is Christ' (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)). We are to follow His steps (1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)). His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:33For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)). His love constrains us to live no longer to ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14, 1514For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14‑15)). "He gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity," that is, from doing our own will (Titus 2:1414Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14)).
We must not follow Christians, except just as they follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:11Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)). If a man calls himself a Christian, yet holds bad doctrines against the Lord or His word or work, we can have no fellowship with him. 2 John 9:1010Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? (John 9:10) tells us not to salute such, nor receive them into our houses, for they arc blasphemers. Rom. 16:1717Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17) tells us to mark and avoid those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrines of the Word. 1 Cor. 5:1111But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:11) tells us not to eat with those who are immoral.
Then 1 Thess. 5:14, 1514Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14‑15) and 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 156Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)
14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:14‑15), tells us to warn and exhort some who need it, and to withdraw ourselves from those who walk disorderly, yet they might be at the Lord's table with us. Gal. 6:11Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1) shows 'us some we can restore. So we make a difference (Jude 2222And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jude 22), 23).
At the best, we are very ignorant, and need to be humble, and to be kept from a proud, hard spirit that thinks itself the only one that is right, and be ever ready to forgive any who do us wrong (Eph. 4:31, 3231Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31‑32); Col. 3:12-1712Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:12‑17)). These are fine verses, read them with earnest prayer to the Lord to make them your own, and then as you are kept near the Lord you will be able to help others also (John 13:14-1814If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. (John 13:14‑18)). If you have troubles and worries, take them all to the Lord, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus, and then you will ever rejoice in Him (Phil. 4:4-74Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4‑7)).
Ans. Man is looked at as a steward; especially Israel to whom God has given so many privileges, but he has been unfaithful, and wasted his Master's goods. The elder brother, in the chapter before, thought he had been faithful, (ver. 29), but the rich man in hell pictures his eternal portion. A Christian owns his unfaithfulness, and is saved by grace.
Verse 2. The man will be put out of his stewardship. His lord commended him for his wisdom, (not for his faithfulness, for he was unfaithful).
Though we are saved by grave, we are still stewards. A steward's wisdom is that he uses what is in his care for the future, and that is the great point in the parable-that we can use that which in itself is unrighteous, the riches of this world, for eternal profit (see 1 Tim. 6:17-1917Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19)), laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of what is really life. The children of this generation look after the future for this world, and so are wise.
We should look further than they, for eternity is before us, and some of the enjoyment which belongs there, is to be secured now, by our present disposal of things; and what is naturally our enemy, can be used to make riches in eternity (ver. 9). It is sending our goods on before us, for what we use now for Christ, and His service, will come up again in the everlasting habitations; but what we hoard up now in selfishness, there is no reward for. Indeed, it is loss, for the next verse shows us that this unfaithfulness in allowing the selfishness of our hearts to retain these things, as if they were our own, spoils the enjoyment of spiritual possessions.
If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, but if we seek riches of this world, we are not serving God, but mammon, and our hearts are deprived of our spiritual enjoyment. This needs earnest consideration.
If I faithfully own myself a steward for God of all that I have here, it will not cause me to be prodigal of what the Lord has entrusted to me, but rather will make me careful to have His approval in using it for Him, or in laying it by for Him to use as His wisdom may direct.
The Pharisees were covetous, and as they heard these things, they derided Him. They were a picture of the rich man who lived for self, and hell was his eternal portion.