The Standard and Source of Truth

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:1717So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)).
Do we desire [to receive] the truth from God? We have His precious Word to teach us that truth with certainty. It is our joy and the sure means of security to cherish continual and unqualified subjection in our souls to the truth of God as He has revealed it in His Word. Though we may be grateful for helpful thoughts received through others, it is our duty to judge all by the Word (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)).
Let us thankfully enjoy whatever of truth the Lord’s servants may minister to us. But such can never be a ground of faith. Whatever may be taught by this one or preached by that one must be brought to the touchstone of Scripture, instead of being taken out of its place and made a test of the truth. The Word of God is not only the great source, but the only standard of the truth.
Ministry in the Word is a blessed help, and it would be both pride and unthankfulness to despise such help (and injurious to our own souls, as well). “They shall be all taught of God’’ (John 6:4545It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (John 6:45)) is true of all saints, but it in no way excludes teachers and other ordinary means, though there may be extraordinary instances where they are taught without this or that aid.
W. Kelly (from Gems From My Reading, adapted)