This is supposed to be a Snap, but again the idea is difficult to contain. Unavoidably, I am forced to write an extended article about this subject matter.
The topic is about the exposition of direction 4 given to men who need saving grace. The specific direction is about serious reading of the Bible and books that talk about grace and cautious listening to the preaching of God’s word. In this exposition, Baxter cited three passages taken from the Bible, which I think require careful attention. After a few hours of reflection, I concluded that in exploring the following passages, Baxter answers this question: Why must men who need saving grace read and listen to the word of God?
The Word of God is Useful
Men who need saving grace must read and listen to God’s word because it is useful.
The first passage is taken from the book of Psalms:
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward (19:7-11).
Here we find why men looking for saving grace must give careful attention to the reading of God’s word. Verses 7 and 8 teach us that the character of God’s law and its utility are inseparable. Three qualifications are appropriate at this point:
First, in the introduction part of this series of Snaps and Waves, I already shared Baxter’s comparison between the temporal knowledge and the knowledge to prepare for the afterlife. Even though he finds utility in temporal knowledge such as knowledge of business, trade, wealth accumulation, legal matters, linguistics, sciences, arts, and the like, he saw them as dangerous if they distract our attention from the preparation for the afterlife.
Second, I also emphasized that if a man claims to have experienced the power of saving grace, and yet it does not alter the inner man and his external duties, such saving grace is not real.
Lastly, I clarified the distinction between the understanding of the natural man about the utility and profitability of saving grace and the teaching of the Bible about these. This distinction is relevant to our current passage, for we see here that the reason why the law of God is supremely useful is due to its inherent characteristics.
The law of God is described as perfect, trustworthy, right, and radiant. As such, it is useful for those seeking saving grace. It refreshes the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart, and gives light to the eyes.
Many souls today are depressed and discouraged. Wisdom has so many counterfeits, and finding the true one isn’t easy. Human hearts are said to be lonely and sad these days, proven by excessive preoccupation with memes, pleasures and entertainment, and other diversions. Not a few eyes are darkened when it comes to the true nature and character of things. All of these human predicaments can find their solution in the word of God.
In the second part of the passage, verses 9 to 11, we read of more of the attributes of the word of God: pure and eternally durable, firm and righteous, valuable, and food for the soul. To highlight its value, the psalmist even compared it to precious gold. Many love this yellow metal, especially in these days of monetary debasement. However, the word of God is infinitely more valuable than pure gold. Is it reasonable then for men to take the word of God for granted?
Not only is the word of God compared to gold, it is also compared to honey. Many love honey. How many lovers of God’s word can we find today?
The psalmist highlighted the value of God’s word by claiming that by keeping God’s word, one can receive great reward. The opposite of this serves as a warning. This tells us that instead of reward, punishment is reserved for those who take God’s word for granted.
The Word of God is Alive, Active, and Sharp
Men who need saving grace must read and listen to God’s word because it is alive, active, and sharp.
The second text is Hebrews 4:12:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The author of Hebrews mentioned three additional attributes of God’s word: alive, active, and sharp. This tells us that men who need saving grace can find life in the word of God. Even though it is painful to accept, the Bible describes the natural man as dead, and that is why he needs saving grace that can be obtained either by reading the word or by listening to the preaching of the word.
Moreover, the word of God is also active. And that is why I agree with Baxter that even though transformation starts from within, it does not stop there. The energy coming from the word of God has power to bring change to our external duties such as family obligations, responsibilities to our respective faith communities, and active involvement in our society.
Surprisingly, the word of God is compared to a sword. Unlike the physical sword that can wound or kill the body, the word of God as a sword can penetrate the inner man and can judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. As they say, “the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.” Who is competent enough to address the problem of the heart? None except the word of God.
The Word of God as Divine Weapons
Men who need saving grace must read and listen to God’s word because it is the weapon of God.
Our last reference is taken from the epistle of the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth:
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ ( 1 Corinthians 10:4-5).
From the previous text, the word of God was compared to a sword, which is a weapon. Here in 1 Corinthians 10:4, though the word of God is described as a weapon, it is also contrasted with the weapons of the world.
Speaking of weapons, the two most popular today are military and politics. These are the weapons of the world. Nations destroy each other through these weapons. Geopolitics and military threats are real. These weapons are very frightening and capable of destroying lives and property. However, the word of God, instead of destruction, brings deliverance. Yes, it also has the power to demolish, but such demolition is done not in the material realm but in the realm of ideas—ideas that exalt and pretend against the knowledge of God.
The goal of God’s word as a divine weapon is to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Natural men see this as slavery. But for those under the state of grace, this is real freedom.
Conclusion
Men who need saving grace must read and listen to God’s word because it is useful, alive, active, sharp, and divinely appointed to transform the heart and bring true freedom in Christ.