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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"Apply Thyself Wholly To The Text"

Jarrod Jacobs

Mr. John Albert Bengel wrote a commentary of the New Testament in the 1700's. His work is considered of great value to students of the Bible. In fact, the above quote was made by him. On one occasion, Mr. Bengel said, "Apply thyself wholly to the text. Apply the text wholly to thyself."

Personally, I think this is an outstanding statement. We need to understand that when it comes to reading, studying, and learning the Bible, we must not only "apply" ourselves to the work, but "apply" the work to ourselves! Many forget this. It is easier to see the faults in others, and think of those who "need to hear" a certain lesson than considering the fact that I need this lesson just as much as anyone!

When it comes to studying, and living by God's word, it is clear that God expects us to make personal application of the lessons we learn. Paul wrote, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15). The word "study" means, "to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, (forward), endeavour, labour" (Strong's). Therefore, we are personally, individually responsible for being diligent, earnest, and prompt in showing ourselves approved before God. I Timothy 5:22 ends with the words: "Keep thyself pure." I cannot keep you pure, nor can you keep me pure. It is our individual responsibility to keep this command. Paul called upon Timothy to, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (I Tim. 4:16). If one will save himself, he must "take heed" to himself! Just before this, Paul said, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. .... Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all" (I Tim. 4:13-15). Is not verse 15 the very point we are trying to make? Just as it was Timothy's responsibility, so it is ours to "meditate" upon the word of God; to be attentive to reading, exhortation, and doctrine (teaching)! Too many are negligent in applying themselves to the text, and applying the text to themselves! What can be done to change this?

Realize Our Place In This World.

What is our place? The Bible says that our place is one of service. Christians are expected to serve God and others. Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matt. 22:37-39). Later, we find Paul saying, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:16-18). Therefore, after we have been baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and raised to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:3-4), we are God's servants (slaves of God). We are expected to be a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). We are expected to offer up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (I Pet. 2:5; Heb. 13:15). Our place is one of service, and not one of being served (Matt. 20:27-28).

Realize Who Is Our Judge.

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son .... And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man" (Jn. 5:22, 27). "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31). "...God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Rom. 2:16). Seeing that these passages clearly state who is our judge, how dare we do anything but follow His will? God's word will be the standard for judgment (Jn. 12:48). God has revealed His thoughts to us in the Bible. How could we then deny this truth, and live for ourselves? How sad it is to see people who are too busy for God and will not apply the Bible to their lives!

Realize The Great Importance Of Our Soul.

Many do not realize just how valuable the soul is. To understand its value, consider what was necessary to redeem the souls of men. It took the blood of Christ to redeem a lost world. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Pet. 1:18-19). "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev. 1:5; also Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7). In order for souls to be saved, Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to this earth, lived upon this earth, died on the cross, and shed His blood (Matt. 26:28). When we think about the price it took for man to be saved -- the death of the Son of God -- how could we not willingly, lovingly take heed to the word of the Lord and apply it's lessons to our lives? Shame on us for being so selfish!

Realize Our Eternal Destiny.

There is more to life than just the "here and now." A person's death does not mean the end of their existence. The Bible says that when a person dies, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecc. 12:7). A person who has been faithful to the Lord will be comforted after death, awaiting the final resurrection and Judgment day; while the unfaithful will be tormented (Lk. 16:22-25). Ultimately, as we stand before Christ in Judgment, there will be two destinies for souls. It will be Heaven for some, and a life where "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Rev. 7:16-17). The unfaithful will be cast into Hell where, "the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).

Friends, we couldn't say enough good things about Heaven, and we couldn't say enough bad things about Hell! Knowing the eternal destiny of souls, doesn't it make sense that we would want to take God at His word, believe and apply God's word to our lives that we might see Heaven one day? "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Pet. 3:9). Friend, what will you do? What is your choice?

Conclusion

We hear many people on the radio, television, etc. saying "Praise God" for this or that. The problem, as someone has rightly said, is that some people are too busy praising God to obey Him! May this not be said of us. Based on the things we have learned, can we see how important it is to apply ourselves to the text, and apply the text to ourselves? The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). It reveals God's love and grace, Christ's blood, and all that He did for us. It also reveals what man must do in order to be saved (Rom. 10:17; Mk. 16:16; Matt. 10:32-33; Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21). This invitation to be saved is for all mankind (Acts 10:34-35)!!

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