The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-07-25


/ Thessalonians 2:l3: II Timothy 3.l4l7. II
| Peter 3:l4-16; Jude 3.
GOLDEN TEXT-All scripture is Given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable tor
! doctrine. for reproof. for correction. for IN.
| structon in righteousness.-IIT Timothy 3:l6
Letters are usually interesting.
| frequently very important, and al.
ways revealing as to the character
| and interests of the writer. That
is generally true of ordinary daily
mail, but how very true it is of the
letters of Scripture, the cpistlcs of
Peter, Paul, Jude, and John. For
in them "holy men of God spake
as they we're moved by the Holy
Ghost" QI Pet. 1:2D.
1. The Gospel gal. Ill, u; l
Thess. 2:13).
The good news (for that is the
! meaning of "gospel') of salvation
by grace through faith in Jesus
Christ as Saviour has from the very
beginning of its proclamation been
subject to attack. Men are not con
tent to receive Gods way of saliva
ton, but want to add something to
l it, adjust its requirements to meet
new situations, to tinker and twist.
l. A Divine Revelation gal. /:
II, 12).
, Paul was not presenting some
thing which he or some other man
had worked up" but a MESSAGE
that he had prayed down" Paul
was only delivering that which he
, had received from God (sec | Cor.
l5:1-4). He was careful that it
should not be confused with or by
the teachings of men, so he con
ferred not with flesh and blood" (sce
Gal. lis, ICY.
We too are privileged to proclaim
divine revelation which has come
to us in the inspired Word of God.
How delightfully."- sweet and trench
dously powerful is the message
which we may thus bring forth. 1t
has no human frailty and weakness,
no human error, and no misleading
PHILOSOPHERS. 1t does not need to
be revised every year or two. 1t is
Gods eternal message of rcdcmp-
ton.
2. A Message of Salvation q
( Thcss. 2:13).
1t works in those who believe.
Yes, it does-blessed be the name of
God! Gods Book says so, and the
experience Of hundreds of thou
sands OF men and women over a
period of almost 1000 years agrees.
Note, however, that to work, the
message must not only be "rc-
cclVcd," but also "acccptcd" as
the Word of God The message of
the Bible may be received as
matter of fact, bat for salvation il
must be accepted and believed as
u matter of faith.
II. The Bible Oh Tim. 3:l4-17; II
Pet. 3:14-1G).
Near the end OF life given in
utter sacrifice to Gods cause. Paul
is ready TO be Used of the HOLY
Spirit TO speak Concerning the wit
ten Word.
/. 1t Is Cod-Inspircd UI Tim. 3:
laid.
BE sure to read this pa .oo in
the Authorized Version. Tie Re-
viscd has taken Liberties with thus
verse which the finest sCho!a..h.u
does not continuance. II properly
reads, An scripture is given hy iu-
SEPARATION of God, and is Profitable
Tor doctrine (tCachng), for rcII.9l.
for correction, for instruction" etc.
Other books may claim some kind
or measure of hGG1n inspiration
this Book IS INSPIRED OF God. If
there we're space, proof OF tire truth
of that statement could easily bc
given. 1t is available for oil who
want to believe it.
2. 1t Is Not e. Be Wrcstcd III
Pet. 3:14-1GJ.
If permitted TO 90 so. Gods word
Will bring peace Cf heart, make
man spotlcss and blamclcss ". 10.
But its salvation ". 49, is not for
those who ignorautly, or because of
their ignorance, or because they are
not stcadfast in their lives. wrest its
truth. Lot us receive the Word with
gladnCss, not twist it or distort its
meaning to our own destruction.
III AIC ann NJuQe 81.
]. 1t Was Delivered Once for
AL"
1t is final revelation from God.
There is 10 other gospel, and there
/ never will be another. What assur-
ancc that gives us both in believing
1t and proclaiming it! But the world
hates this gospel, and attacks on it
are to be expected. Therefore
2. It Is to BE Earnestly Contend
cd For.
No matter how pcaccablc we
may be, how loving and tender
hearted, if and when attack is
made upon the Lordship Of Christ.
when men make light of sin. and so
| seem TO minimize the vital inn
portance Of holiness Of lifc-thcn,
however unpleasant contention and
controversy may be TO us, it is time
we cast our sell-regard aside and
contend earnestly for the faith once
for all delivered TO the saints" g..
! y. JCncs).