April 29

Unskilful in the word. - Hebrews 5:13.

LET us more particularly consider cases in which persons are very unskilful in using the word of righteousness. There are some things in the Scriptures which may appear to be contradictory to us as long as we remain in this weak state; and when this is the case, it is better for us to leave them than to destroy the plain, obvious meaning of others. We can see harmony between things which appear very contradictory to our little children; but they will see the harmony by-and-by. We can see the opposite ends of a chain thrown across a river, but we cannot see the connection in the middle; this is under water: if the water were lowered, or the chain raised, we should see the middle,- the connection,-as well as the two ends. Yet this reasoning may be pushed too far. The apparent opposition of many passages of Scripture arises entirely from inattention and ignorance in the reader: a little distinction would serve to harmonize.

Thus, it is possible and easy to reconcile such language as this:-“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit;” “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments;” “He that believeth maketh not haste.” “God repented that he made man;” “God is not a man that he should lie, nor the Son of man that he should repent.” “No man is tempted of God;” “God did tempt Abraham.” In the same way, people have supposed that Paul and James are opposite to each other as to justification; whereas the one refers to God and the other to man; the one to justification as a reality, and this is by faith, the other as to its evidence and fruits, and this is by works.

Now, we find the Scriptures in the hands of some people nothing but confusion: we can never get two ideas or notions to lie straight in their brains. “If,” say they, “God works in us to will and to do, why should we work out our own salvation? If it be a duty, how can it be a privilege? If it be a promise, how can it be a command?” Now, these things may be easily harmonized, and will be by those who are “skilful in the word of righteousness.”

Then they use the word of righteousness unskilfully who do not use it impartially. All religious parties have their separate portions and passages of Scripture, while there are others of which they are more or less heedless. They. do not, indeed, like to own this; but the thing is undeniable. It is a surprising thing to what a contracted part of the sacred writings the attention of some is confined; and, could they have their way, they would not suffer their preachers to move an inch from it. But we are to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, “and go through the length and breadth of the land of revelation.” Why? “All Scripture was given by inspiration of God.” “Whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.” Why did God give the whole of the Bible, if it were needless? Why, in all the Epistles, after the doctrines are laid down, are personal and relative duties so enforced? “Oh,” we have heard some say, “you need not preach upon these; the grace of God will teach people to do these.” Why did not the apostles know this, and save themselves all the trouble of specification and enforcement? But the statement is not true: the grace of God is to enable, not to teach.

The Scriptures teach; the Bible contains all the information the church will ever possess in this world. The Spirit brings no new information to the mind, but he leads us into all truth. A man, therefore, in his proper state of mind, will not confine his attention to parts of the word of righteousness; he will not search it to find comfort only, but profit too; he will look not only after privileges, but duty; he will regard not only the promises, but also the commands; and will be able to say,-

“Make me to walk in thy commands;

’Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,

Offend against my God.”