Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)
A Note To Myself And To My Brothers And Sisters In Yeshua
When we are born again and believe and confess that Jesus is our Lord, we should be encouraged to move on and grow in our relationship with the Lord and in our knowledge of the scriptures.
Once there is agreement between believers on the basic principles that unite us which are: forgiveness of sin by the sacrificial blood of Yeshua, New Birth, One Body, One Lord, One Baptism, One Spirit, the infallibility of scripture-Old and New Testament, we should be able to move on to maturity in studying the rest of the teachings in the Scriptures. As Paul encourages in Hebrews chapter 5 and 6, let’s move on from the milk which is the foundation of our faith, to the deeper teachings which are the meat.
1 Corinthians 13:9 (KJV)
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
The study and the discussion of these doctrines should help us grow as believers. Any disagreement on specific points should encourage us to spend time with the Lord seeking His face that He may open the eyes of our understanding.
These discussions and interactions should encourage us to get intimate with the Lord and with the scriptures so as to deepen our understanding and our relationship with the Lord, our relationship to the Scriptures and our relationship with each other.
Let's pray for discernment so that we can hear the Lord's voice that He might guide us to the right fellowship that we may not be deceived by false teachings.
John 10:14-16 (NASB) 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
Let’s read the whole Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation while always seeking understanding from the Lord. Let’s not get into the habit of building doctrines and dogmas on single verses and let us not depend on the interpretation of man for our understand of scripture.
Matthew 23:8-12 (NASB) 8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
John 14:25-26 (NASB) 25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
None of us should get into a state of judging or degrading each other’s understanding of the scriptures because this can cause division and arguments: we need to be united in the Lord. We should present our understanding with love, gentleness and humility while leading the listener to the scriptures and to seeking the Lord.
We are the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. We are being built as living stones on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 for the dwelling of God in the Spirit. 1 Timothy 3:15b | Ephesians 2:20-22 | 1 Peter 2:4-8
Obviously when teaching and sharing the gospel with unbelievers we have to lay the foundations of our faith which is the need to be born again, the need for a sacrificial lamb to deal with sin, the purifying of the blood of Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit and baptism by Water. (Not always in that order)
Between us, as believers, we should feel comfortable to discuss the Scriptures. We should be able to discuss controversial teachings that are difficult to understand. Each of us should get close to and deepen our relationship with the Lord while spending time studying the Scriptures and sharing with our fellow believers so that we can build each other up while each working out our own salvation.
Let's always be in fellowship with the Lord. In the gospels we see that Yeshua spoke to the people in parables which were hard to understand. When he was alone with his disciples he explained the parables and helped them understand.
We need to spend time with the Lord and spend time with the Scriptures so that he can open the eyes of our heart and help us understand.
Mark 4:11-12 (NASB) 11 And He was saying to them, “To you (To Us) has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.”
Let’s spend intimate time with the Lord that we may know Him whilst understanding the scriptures. Let us share with each other in love and in fellowship that we may grow together.
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB) 17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.