Study to Understand Therefore and Wherefore

Study to Understand Therefore and Wherefore

Sometimes we struggle to find the greatest benefit from reading the Bible and understanding what is being said. It may be because we are reading it too fast and not noticing the impact of individual words being used. An illustration can be found in slowing down and asking why the words “wherefore” and “therefore” are found and why they are there.

The word “therefore” is found 1,355 times in the NKJV of the Bible. The older King James Version often uses the word “wherefore” instead of the word “therefore.” Slow down as you read and after you read the word ask, “What is the word therefore ‘there-for’?” What is its meaning? God has made a statement and then has drawn a conclusion based on what He just said or is about to say. The same is true of the translation of the word “wherefore.” When you see it, ask yourself, “‘What-for’ is this word here? Why is God using this word, and what is He trying to say?”

This way of clearly studying the Bible can be seen in the way Jesus uses the word when discussing the great care God gives to the birds. He then adds, “Therefore do not fear, for you are of more value than sparrows” (Luke 12:7). Jesus used the word “therefore” 92 times in His teachings, and Paul uses the word nearly 150 times in his writings. As you read the Bible and come across these words, take time to look at the context where they are found. Read the verses before these words and the words after them and focus on why God chose to use them. This simple way of reading the Bible will deeply enhance your appreciation for truth.

The fact that these words are used emphasizes the truth that our relationship to God is not based on emotions. There is a Divine reason God chose to use them. For example, God did not just arbitrarily give the Sabbath command as some ritual action for the Jews to do. He told them, “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt…therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:15).

Paul used the word five times in reference to the use of tongues in 1 Corinthians 11. Slow down as you read and ask each time, “Why is this word ‘there-for’?” God gives commands for us to obey, but often shows why He wants us to keep them by using the word “therefore.” Paul’s writings show this again and again.

Finally, remember that Christianity, properly understood, is so logical. I understand we walk by faith and sometimes do not fully comprehend why God says what He does, but notice the use of these words. Slow down as you read and appreciate His truths and the basis on which it is given. Remember “there-for” and “what-for.”

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The Plague of Spiritually Weak Parents

The Plague of Spiritually Weak Parents

Let’s get real for a moment: We have raised up a bunch of spiritually weak parents. Yes, they want their children to go to heaven. But they also want their children to fit in with the world. They want them to excel at sports. They want them to have the lead part in the high school play. They want them to enjoy prom–after all it’s a once in a lifetime rite of passage.spiritually weak

They are perfectly fine with them listening to the same songs and watching the same videos their worldly friends listen to and watch. They are perfectly fine with them missing out on lectureships/Gospel meetings because most of their friends won’t be there. They are okay with them dressing in tight and revealing clothes, because everyone in their generation is doing the same. They are okay with them showing up to Bible class with no Bible. They are okay with them using language that is disrespectful and does not honor God.

Why, would parents be okay with all of this? Because their children have their baptism card–so they are good.

And, because the parents themselves are spiritually weak.

I see it every weekend when I hold Gospel Meetings and seminars. The vast majority of those in attendance are over 65 yrs old. The young people–who are on the frontline of the culture war and really need the information–are noticeably absent until Sunday morning worship.

It’s not the young people’s fault. It’s the parents. While they may have gotten their children baptized in the church, they stopped and did not train them up in such a way that they love God more than anything else.

Far too many parents today do not prioritize the spiritual health of their children. Instead, they want their children to be “happy,” and so they surround them with things of the world. Sadly, the next generation will likely not even show up for Sunday morning worship. And their children will not know God.

Church, we aren’t going to fix the problem until we address this real problem and start teaching some tough love sermons from the pulpit. Elders need to be bold enough to teach on this in Bible classes. Youth ministers need to stop providing spiritual welfare and entertainment, and instead, assist families to do what God commanded parents to do.

Until God becomes the #1 priority for church families, families will continue to commit adultery on their first love and wander back out on the broad way. Yes, our numbers are on the decline. But no one is talking about the other issue–and that is the spiritual decline of those physically present.

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They Just Want Something Out of You!

They Just Want Something Out of You!

I got a phone call today saying that I had won the publisher’s clearing house prize of $250,000 and a new pickup truck. I was amazed that I had won considering that I never entered the drawing. Of course, this was a scam attempt. They hung up on me as soon as they realized that I wasn’t going to play along. I subsequently blocked that number from my phone. I’ve also noticed that the phone company has started labeling some calls as “Scam Warning” or “Potential Scam Alert” when the phone call comes in. That is helpful, I will say, but they probably soon will be wanting to charge me for the service. It seems that everyone wants something out of you somehow and someway.

False religion also smacks of this same tone. They say, “If you give $10, God will give you back $100. If you give $100, God will give you back $1000, and etc.” I’m not exactly sure how they know God will do this. Some cite Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you,” but the context isn’t talking about giving, but judging vs. forgiving. I heard this verse used for giving when I was growing up and have even used it myself to preach on that topic, but alas, I was wrong in doing so and try not to do it anymore. Nevertheless, there are many who just want to get something out of you thinking godliness is a way of gain (1 Timothy 6:5).

True Christianity practices free-will giving, not mandatory tithing as many in the religious world sinfully command. Paul wrote, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

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Not Able to Assemble

Not Able to Assemble

It is hard for us to imagine the spiritual lives of those in the Old Testament, but the life and psalms of David give us so much insight into his worship. The design of the Sabbath was not to assemble (that only began because of the scattering of the Jews as they went into captivity), but to take time every week to remember they were resting every week to spend time meditating on how God delivered them from the bondage in Egypt where they had no rest.

However, there were special feast days for Israel. Three times every year they came to the temple for those special days. That section in Psalms which contains the “Psalms of Ascent” gives us insight into the joy they celebrated as they ascended the mountains in Jerusalem to worship God. David describes his emotions. “I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival” (Psa. 42:4 ESV).

Then the wrath of Saul destroyed David’s ability to keep the feasts. As a youth, he made those three journeys with his parents for the feast days. For the early years in Saul’s palace, he enjoyed being part of the songs of praise with the multitudes. Angry Saul changed that. For over seven years Saul’s army robbed David of this joy. Hear his words showing the joy taken from him. “Come before the Lord with singing…Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful and bless His name” (Psa. 100:2-4).

How did the loss of this joy impact David? “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God” (Psa. 42:2)? He longed for that day when he again might be able to go to the feasts. His heart rested in the hope that someday it would be restored to him. “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (42:5).

Think of the parallel in David’s life and the lives of many Christians. Two years ago, they came every week to celebrate a festive time at the Lord’s table. David said, “I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise” (Psa. 42:4 NKJV). Covid came. It kept us from meeting our Lord in the keeping of the Lord’s supper.

Are you among those who have been driven from assembling at His table? Are you among those who for two years could not speak to one another in spiritual songs? The most vital question you face is do you miss worship like David did? Has complacency settled in and replaced the joy of coming with the multitude into His presence? Are you thirsting and panting to come to His table? Think about this.

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Paul’s Words the Basis of Faith

Paul’s Words the Basis of Faith

Paul’s words to young Timothy were so descriptive of the trials he would have to face. Those verses in 1 Timothy 4 were given to Timothy because of what was happening. The gospel was soon to be preached to every creature under heaven, and the future of the church was so promising.

Paul warned Timothy that the Holy Spirit of God had clearly revealed that some would depart from the faith and begin following false teachers and the lies they taught (1 Tim. 4:1). Their teaching was that Christians must refrain from eating certain foods. What was the truth about this matter? The Holy Spirit revealed through Paul that such was false teaching for “…every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:4-5).

Timothy’s task was to take this truth and instruct the brethren. If he did this, he would be a good minister of Jesus Christ, for he had been nourished in the words of faith and had carefully followed them (1 Tim. 4:6). Notice how the truths of God are described. They are based on the words of faith.

Look again at the contrast. Some had left the faith by following those who had departed from the faith. When they spoke, they did not speak the words of truth, but they were “…speaking lies in hypocrisy.” Timothy’s task was to stay faithful to the truth and instruct his listeners to stay in accordance with the words of faith.

Faith is based on words. If there are no divine words to describe what one believes, then his faith is not based on what God said. We express ideas using words. We express heavenly ideas by using heavenly words. If there are no Biblical words to describe one’s faith, then it cannot express an idea which has its origin in heaven.

There is more to be added to these thoughts. Paul instructs Timothy saying, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me” (2 Tim. 1:13). The words of faith become the basis of the “pattern of sound words.” A pattern shows what must be done and become the basis of duplicating precisely what was in the pattern. The reason forbidding the eating of certain foods was false teaching is because such teaching does not follow the pattern. This pattern is expressed in words, sound words.

Now make the application. Timothy was instructed to take the things he learned from Paul and deliver them to faithful men who then could deliver them to others (2 Tim. 2:2). Timothy was to take the words of faith and teach as a pattern to be followed by using sound words. This pattern was then to be given to others. God help us to find the words of faith!

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