TCH MINI-STUDY 48
RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE ENGRAFTED WORD
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote
the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (James 1:1), Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive
with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he
beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law
of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed(James 1:21-25).
RECEIVE THE ENGRAFTED WORD
In verse 21 above, the word meekness is translated from the Greek word prautes,
which means mildness or humility, The word engrafted is translated from the Greek word emphutos, which means implanted, to germinate,
to grow, sprout, or produce. The word word is translated from the Greek word logos, which means somthing said, account, speech, talk
tidings, or utterance.
In error, many refer to the bible or scriptures as the word, but in this context the word refers specificaly
to Christ and the gospel message. The scriptures themselves teach us that logos is a specific reference to Jesus Christ and the utterance
of the gospel message.
For example, in the book of Hebrews, we see that In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word [logos] was
with God, and the Word [logos] was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not
any thing made that was made. In him [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light [revelation of Christ] shineth
in darkness [those who do not see or understand]; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:1-5). These verses clearly reveal that
the logos or Word refers to Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote the church in Ephesus, According as he [God the Father] hath chosen us in
him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory
of his grace, wherein he [Christ] hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto
us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness
of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom
also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel
of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word [logos, message or utterance] of truth, the gospel [Greek euaggelion, meaning good message, good news, glad tidings,
preaching] of your salvation [deliverance, health, safety, saving]: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise
of his glory (Ephesians 1:4-14). These verses clearly teach that the logos or word refers to the gospel of Christ, that is, the announcing
of the glad tidings and good message of salvation through faith in Christ.
THE SEED IS THE WORD [Greek, logos, Christ And The
Gospel] OF GOD
If the Word, or Christ and the gospel message, is engrafted or implanted, we can ask some questons: what is the
seed that is implanted, who is the sower, and where or into what is the seed implanted or sown.
What is the seed? In the book
of Luke, we read , The seed is the word [logos, utterance of the gospel] of God (Luke 8:11). Christ Himself tells us that the seed
is the good news or gospel message about the Kingdom of God.
Who is the sower? Scriptures tell us that A sower went out to sow
his seed (Luke 8:5). Christ also tells us who that sower is: He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man [Jesus Christ] (Matthew
13:37).
Christ is the sower of the seed.
Into what or where is the seed sown by Christ? Christ also gives us the answer
to this question: When any one heareth the word [gospel message] of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked
one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart ...(Matthew 13:19). The seed of the gospel is sown, emplanted, or engrafted
by Jesus Christ into the hearts of men and women.
WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS
Many believers think that life comes
from knowing the bible or scriptures. These believers often refer to and promote such phrases as "life in the word [meaning the bible],"
or the "word [meaning the bible] of life," or "word of faith" [with word referring to the bible or scriptures]. There are even churches
with names such as WORD OF LIFE CHURCH [in which WORD references the bible or sciptures]. Within such phrases, the "word" refers to
the bible, or scriptures, implying that a knowledge and understanding the bible will result in life.
However, Christ and the
scriptures teach otherwise. As in our subject verses, hearing and accepting the logos, or gospel message, about salvation and the
Kingdom of God available through faith in Jesus Christ can, and does, bring life. Christ, Himself, exclaimed to Jews who sought to
kill Him, There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto
John [the Baptist], and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might
be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness
than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the
Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any
time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word [logos, Christ and the gospel] abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe
not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come
to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you (John 5:32-42).
Jesus clearly explains to these Jews, who depend upon knowing and living the Jewish law and old testament, that the scriptures do
not bring life, but simply testify of Him.
Jesus added that life is available only through coming to Him, the logos, which these
stiffnecked and unbelieving Jews would not do.
So, if it is not the sciptures which bring life, what or who does bring life?
Clearly, the scriptures teach that the word of truth is the gospel message, and it is that gospel which brings life. The apostle James
wrote, Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word [Greek, logos,
Christ and the gospel message], which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). It is not the scriptures which bring eternal life,
but faith in Christ and the truth of the gospel message. The holy scriptures do not bring life, but simply point to the only one in
which eternal life is available, that is, Jesus Christ. As Christ said, they [the scriptures] are simply they which testify of Me.
For more on this topic and interpretation, see the TCH article entitled The Word Of Truth, The Gospel.
Jesus Christ sows the
seed of the gospel, or good news, of Christ and the Kingdom into the hearts of men and women. Those who humbly accept Christ and the
gospel reap eternal life and the Kingdom of God. Those who arrogantly and rebelliously reject Christ and the gospel will be rejected
from the Kingdom of God and suffer eternal damnation.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For
men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers
of God; Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For
of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly
women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning,
and never able to come to the knowledge of
the truth. Now as
Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the
truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning
the faith. But
they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto
all men, as theirs also was"
(2 Timothy 3:1-9).
HE SHALL GROW UP BEFORE HIM AS
A TENDER PLANT
"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For
he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall
see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our
sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not
his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of
the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;
because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:
when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD
shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant
justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of
many, and made intercession for the transgressors"
(Isaiah 53:1-12).
FRET NOT THYSELF BECAUSE OF EVILDOERS
“A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against
the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires
of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness
as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday”
(Psalms 37:1-6).
“I looked on MY right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou ART my refuge AND my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought
very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the
righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully
with me”
(Psalms 142:4-7).
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it
is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether
we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the
sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation”
(2 Corinthians 1:5-7).
