Wednesday: God’s Word Final in Scripture
WEEK 45
WEDNESDAY
GOD’S WORD FINAL IN SCRIPTURE
James 3:14-18; 4:1
Before we leave this mastery of war, we must look at an objection: Do not the scriptures at least in some places approve of war? In some places they do. But what places? In the Old Testament and in the book of Revelation in certain passages.
But the Old Testament is not Christianity; it is that period of preparation for Christianity. Christianity is Christ. Revelation was progressive until it culminated in that final and perfect stage, Christ. He said, “You have heard that it was said. . . . But I say to you,” making his own word final even in Scripture. At two places he reversed the old attitudes: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you” (Matt 5:38-39). And “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you” (vv. 43-44).
He reversed the eye for an eye attitude and hating the enemy attitude. But we have reversed his reversals, saying, “Look what they did. We must give them what they gave—an eye for an eye. We must hate our enemy.” With what result? Have we got rid of our enemies by hating them? No, we have produced more, for like produces like; hate produces hate. Two hates never made a love, never have and never will.
The early Christians were simple and direct: We refuse to hate. We have been loved by God when we were enemies, and we will love our enemies into friends. If not we are the better for loving. If we are killed, so what? We don’t have to live; we can die. And in dying we live forevermore. It worked, and won! They were invincible as long as they kept to their principles.
Incidentally, when the early missionaries to Europe translated the Bible into the Teutonic language, they left out the books of Kings and Chronicles; for they said the Teutonic tribes were already addicted to war. If you want corroboration for war, don’t go to the Gospels, the Acts, or the Epistles; for their stand is clear as a bell: “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword” (Matt 26:52). The ages have been a commentary on this: Warlike nations have perished, invariably.
O Jesus, your Word stands. When we stand with it, we stand; when we depart from it, we fall. Help us to take from the hand of grace, for your grace is our safety. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Today I shall affirm all Jesus’ affirmations and reverse none of his reversals.