"Ye Do Err"
In Matthew we read of an incident when Jesus was confronted by the Sadducees who were trying to confound him with one of their common questions concerning the woman who had seven husbands, all of them brothers. I will assume that all are familiar with the incident. (Matt. 22:23-33) This question raised by the Sadducees was one that did confound the Pharisees, and to the Sadducees and many others proved their point and sustained their lack of belief In spirits and the resurrection of the dead. Because Jesus was the master teacher that he was, and because his reputation was spread abroad as it was, they naturally tried to get him to answer the question. But with his usual display of divine wisdom he pointed out that they (as well as all others who attempt to trap him) did err. But we notice that he didn't just say they erred or that they were wrong, but he pointed out why they were wrong. They erred because:
1. They Did Not Know The Scriptures
This naturally would cause them to be in error on religious or spiritual matters because there was no other source of knowledge in these affairs. By the recording of this incident we see Jesus just as forcefully declaring to all in error today that the reason for their error is that they do not know the scriptures.
If we but briefly look at the scriptures, we can see that they are what makes us complete or perfect (1 Tim. 3:16, 17); that we are to study (the word of God, naturally) to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15); that the divine revelation was complete and we need not look to anyone or anything else for any added revelation (2 Pet. 1:3); that the revelation, being complete and able to completely guide us in all good works, is to be contended for. (Jude 3) Yet, we cannot contend for "the faith" except we know it. So we can see that these, as well as many other scriptures, and all the examples of faith and obedience in the Bible, teach us that we cannot know what God would have us to know or do, unless he reveals it to us. That revelation is in His divinely inspired word.
How important then that we read, study and do the things found in the word of God! How imperative that we implicitly follow the divine instructions, examples and injunctions found in the Bible. A rejection of this divine counsel, the Bible, will be the rejection of the word which is able to save our souls. We can never be fit for heaven or capable servants of Jesus if we are ignorant of the Bible. We recall the statement of Jehovah to the Jews in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for (or because of) lack of knowledge." It was certain these people at this time were wise in the ways of the world and idolatrous worship, but they were ignorant of God's will.
We can grasp these principles easily and see the consequences of ignorance without any difficulty; but how often do we fail to see how little is generally known by many who claim or want to be teachers of the Bible.
The principle of self destruction through ignorance is characteristic of human nature today as it was in the days of the Jews. It seems strange, in view of the complete revelation contained in the Bible, that so many would err. It is just as true today as when Jesus was confronted by these erring Jews that they who teach false doctrine so do because they do not know the scriptures.
It is apparently true that fewer people would be following the popular road to institutionalism and centralization of the Lord's work if they just knew a little more or would take a (little more time to study the Bible. The pathway to digression is easily averted by the gaining of knowledge. If people had known a little more about the Bible, perhaps they wouldn't have used the mechanical instrument in worship, neither have established the missionary society for evangelization. And inasmuch as many of the things being taught today as being scriptural means of doing the work of the Lord are parallel with these (in principle if not in fact) it should be apparent that a knowledge of the Bible would help to eliminate these problems.
We must be careful to exercise ourselves in the gaining of knowledge and to have the attitude of the Psalmist as expressed in Psalms 119:104, "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way."
But also we notice a second reason for the error of the Sadducees and that was:
2. They Did Not Know The Power Of God
How comprehensive was this indictment of their lack of spirituality and their understanding of God. Had they known the word better they would have known God and his power better. But an ignorance of the word only multiplied their ignorance of the power of God. These people (the sects of Jesus' time) were engaged in all manners of philosophizing, sophistry, rationalizing, legalism, liberalism, and every other form or human reasoning and conceit that would draw them farther from God instead of closer to him. They felt secure in their 'beliefs because is was so reasonable in their minds. But they forgot an important matter: Faith. As this seemed to be the course of human nature then, so now. Many are prompted to do what they do because they resort to the same means of justifying their actions and plans. When we read in the Bible of the organization of the church and the work given to it then, it comes down to a matter of faith as to whether we believe the church the Lord established can do the work he gave it to do. We can speculate, rationalize, and engage in every conceivable form of human reasoning to justify every human organization ever devised by man's ingenuity, but this does not mean that it is scriptural or that God 'approves of it. I am appalled many times by the audacity of those who claim to be guided by the word and then resort to everything but the word of God to defend what they are doing in the work and worship of the church! They are no less guilty before the Lord than the Sadducees were in their ignorance of the work and power of God.
As the solution to the error of the Sadducees was a better knowledge of God's word and a recognition of His great power, so it must be for those who are found in error today. The responsibility of those who would be teachers is to be found always teaching his word; the inherent responsibility of every Christian is to "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) This Is a grave personal responsibility. Then when we are doing just this and grounded firmly on his word, we have a consolation and a reward that cannot be gainsaid. Regardless of who or what may oppose us we can express the confidence of Paul when he asked, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" The answer is implied; no one can validly be against us. It is always well for us to evaluate and to make sure we are standing on His word; to determine if we can give scripture for the things we do and say. If we are not, then we had better make the necessary changes. If we are, then we need to continue in the truth.
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