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Peter, in the salutation of his second epistle says: "Grace
and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus
our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us
by glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:2-3).
God's word contains the answers to every important question of
life. It contains everything we need to know to live a godly life
and thus inherit everlasting life.
Paul said that Christians are vessels "for honor, sanctified
and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Tim.
2:21). Then Paul reveals the source of knowledge whereby Christians
equip themselves saying: "All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
There are many authorities to which worldly men appeal. Some people
appeal to themselves and some appeal to other men such as philosophers.
But Christians must appeal to the word of God which is able to make
us wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2
Tim. 2:15).
Jesus says: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John
14:15) And John says of our relationship to God: "For this
is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments
are not burdensome." (I John 5:3) If we love God and Jesus,
we must first consider their commands above all else in answering
life's difficult questions.
After considering the word of God as our first source of authority,
Christians may appeal to other sources of authority as allowed by
God. For example, God established governments to dictate morality
in certain respects. But in other respects, God dictates moral behavior
apart from government. God has ordained governments to rule over
men, and Christians are to obey those who rule over them as long
as the ruling authority does not establish laws contrary to God
(Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-25; Acts 5:29).
Daniel and his companions exemplify God's requirement for moral
men to appeal to God through His word in making decisions. In Daniel
chapter three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego made a moral decision
based upon the word of God. The Israelites were not to worship any
other gods. So, when King Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to fall
down and worship the idol he had built, the men determined to obey
God above the king. They appealed to God's law, obeyed God, and
disobeyed the king.
Daniel likewise faced a question concerning morality (Dan. 6:1f).
The king had decreed that no one was to petition (i.e., pray to)
another god or person other than King Darius. This meant that Daniel
could not pray to God during the designated thirty-day period. What
did Daniel do? He appealed to God's law, obeyed God, and disobeyed
the king.
Christians must appeal to God's word to answer life's difficult
questions. The Bible reveals all things that pertain to life and
godliness.
To whom do you turn for answers - God or the world?
If you turn to God as His obedient child, then Peter's words are
pertinent to you: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in
the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Pet. 2:1).
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