Bible Questions and Answers is Pastor Huebscher's weekly column. It appears every Thursday in Stillwater's local newspaper
A person asks for comment on Proverbs 25:2 which reads: "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." Education is some times called "a search for truth." Scientists in particular take pride in their "research." No doubt the scientific method has led to many useful discoveries and inventions, and rulers often have sponsored "government research for their own ends. Furthermore, God has ordained research and development. Genesis 12:28 reads: "And God blessed them, (Man whom he had created) and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." At the same time there are some things that are far beyond the research capabilities of human investigations. Yet they are understandable to the believing heart, because these unsearchable things are near to the heart of the One who made us in His image. "I would seek unto God" Job said, "and unto God would I commit my cause: Who does great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number" (Job 5:8-9). "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm145:3). "There is no searching of his understanding" (Isaiah40:28). "Great is our Lord, and of great power. His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5). There is far more to be discovered concerning God and His great creation than all the scientists can ever hope to discover in this life. But those who love Him will have an eternity of time to search out the majestic complexities of His infinite universe, for "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him" (I Corinthians 2:9-10). What a marvelous paradox! "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33). Yet they are. Paul, "less than the least of all saints," was able to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). If you have a Bible question, write to Pastor Lenard Huebscher, Grace Baptist Church 12721 - 75th Street North, Stillwater MN. 55082 or call (651)430-3132. www.stillwaterbaptist.net
The question comes: Is it true that the Gospel not only needs to be taught but caught? I think that would b e true from what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:9 which reads: "Those things, which you have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." The apostle Paul, writing of course by the inspiration of God, many times urged readers of God's Word to follow his example in living the Christian life. To the Philippians, Paul said "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example" (Philippians 3:17). The initial reaction to such exhortations is to think of Paul as arrogant. To the believers in the Corinthian church, he said: "Wherefore I beseech you, be followers of me" (I Corinthians 4:16). To those at Thesslonica, he said: "For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you... Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us" (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). There can be no doubt that the apostle Paul wanted to live in such a way that people would see Christ in him and thus seek to live for Christ. At the same time, Paul considered himself to be "the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle" (1Corinthians 15:9). Later he called himself "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians 3:8). And finally he said that he was even the chief of sinners ( Timothy 1:15). In no way was the apostle Paul an egotist. Nevertheless, he knew that his converts needed an example to see, as well as precepts to learn. The Lord Jesus Christ, of course, is our real example (!Peter 2:21). But by living a life patterned after Christ, however, Paul could say: "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). People need to see Christ in the lives of their Christian leaders. By the grace of God, we also need to live as Christ did, so that when people follow us, they also will be following Christ. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). If you have a Bible question write to Pastor Leanrd Huebscher, Grace Baptist Church, 12721 - 75th Street North, Stillwater MN 55082 or call (651) 430-3132. www.stillwaterbaptist.net