by R. L. Morrison

God's will, revealed to man, is found only in the book we call the Bible. No man can find it elsewhere. It claims to be revealed by God (2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 2:12-13). It also claims to be the fullness or extent of God's revelation (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:1-4). If these things are true, it is sinful to follow any other guide in religious faith and practice.

These things need to be continually taught because the majority of religious people today accept other guides as authority in religion. Many brethren do not recognize what is involved in this, for they seemingly think the practices of brethren in the past are standards of authority also. If we determine that we shall accept nothing as authoritative except the word of God, many present problems will disappear and we can all more easily recognize our duty to God.

One of the causes of this present condition is that many have decided the Bible is a great mystery which cannot be understood. And one of the results of this is the idea that the Bible teaches one person one thing, and someone else something entirely different. This leads people to put their trust in some religious organization or leader, who may teach them what they want to hear or condone what they want to practice. This is a dangerous situation, leading to eternal loss.

This is not to suggest that everything in the Bible can be understood, that every question can be answered. No one acquainted with the Bible would so affirm. There are many things mentioned in the Bible that are not fully revealed. Since God has not seen fit to do so, we cannot know all about them. The Bible declares that God created material things by the power of His spoken word (Gen. chapter 1). But it also declares that Christ was that word and God created by him (John 1:1-4). But it doesn't tell us HOW God created material things by Jesus Christ. We cannot know; it is a mystery in that it is not revealed. The Bible declares that Jesus is the Son of God, but that he was born of Mary as a human being. He was both human and divine. We cannot understand all about this, for it has not been revealed to us, but we must believe it to obtain the benefits of his life in the flesh, and his death on the cross.

The Bible does not fully reveal the works of God. Since they are not revealed, we cannot understand all about God. Jesus, as a man, revealed to us the qualities or attributes of the character of God, at least those we are expected to develop in our own lives as Christians. But no man can fully explain God or the works of God, simply because these things have not all been revealed to us.

However, everything that God requires of us is so revealed that it may be easily understood. Some things we are told to do we may not understand, but we can readily understand the necessity of our obedience. This can be seen in the account of God's dealing with Noah. He was told that God would bring a flood of water upon the earth. In order to escape death, Noah was required to build the ark. He may not have understood HOW the flood would come about, but instruction regarding the ark was clear and plain. He understood it, and obeyed. God revealed to Noah all he needed to know. When he understood, he believed, he obeyed; he was saved from death in the flood. The same principle is involved in God's dealing with man today. What is required of us to escape eternal destruction in the day of the Lord is clearly revealed. We can understand and obey it, if we so desire!

In order to learn what we need to know, we must go to the proper source of information. We who live now will find that information in the New Testament. It was given to those who would live in the last days, or the final period of time. In the book of Genesis, Moses recorded the account of creation and the history of men through Abraham and his grandson, Jacob. The descendants of this man became a nation of people in slavery in Egypt. God delivered them from that bondage, and at Mt. Sinai, gave these people a system of law with Moses as His spokesman. This law was given to no other people (Ex. 20:1-3; Deut. 5:1-5). This law was given to them to bring them to Christ, or to keep them a people until Christ should come. When he came, he fulfilled that law and its purpose, taking it away. As a result, Jesus became the Mediator of a New Covenant (Heb. 9:15). This New Covenant is the New Testament. It was to be preached to all nations, every creature (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15), for it is God's power to save the sinner (Rom. 1:16).

Two things taught in the scriptures, both plain and easily understood, show the simplicity of God's will to man. First, in order to be saved, men must have knowledge of God and of Christ. The prophet Isaiah, foretelling events which would come to pass in the last days, said: "The God of Jacob will teach us of His ways" (Isa. 2:3). Jesus sent the apostles to teach all nations (Matt. 28:19).

Secondly, the Bible teaches that every person who will accept it may be made free from sin and obtain eternal salvation. Jesus invited men with these words: "All ye that labor and are heavy laden, come unto me" (Matt. 11:28). John, in almost the closing words of inspiration, wrote, "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). God is no respecter of persons, He is not willing that any should perish, but desires all to come to repentance (Acts 10:34; 2 Pet. 3:9).

In view of these things, we can determine: (1) Man must know certain things to be saved, and these things have been revealed to us by God. (2) Salvation, forgiveness of past sins, may be obtained by whosoever will. (3) God desires men to come to him, to be made free from sin. (4) Whosoever will can understand what God, who wants to save him, has revealed for him to do to obtain that salvation. Surely no one would conclude, after considering the scriptures referred to, that God has revealed his will in such a way man cannot understand it! Yet, there are those who do not understand, for they teach and practice contrary to the teaching of the Bible!

In the very beginning of the last days, the Pentecost of Acts 2, the apostles instructed men concerning God's acts and His will. To the large assembly in Jerusalem on that day, Peter commanded, "Ye men of Israel hear these words" (Acts 2:22). These men, the apostles, then began the revelation of the New Covenant, which God bound upon all men beginning at that time. Jesus was declared to be the Son of God, crucified, buried, but resurrected and ascended to the Father. In all these things, he fulfilled the prophecies that foretold of the Messiah, the promised Redeemer. The assembly heard these things and they believed what they heard about Jesus. They confessed their faith when they cried out "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." The record reveals that about 3000 of these people heard, believed, and acted. They were baptized and in their full obedience to God's will, their sins were forgiven. It is interesting to note that every example of conversion found in the New Testament resulted from men hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel.

One may not understand why God requires such obedience. But if he understands what is required and obeys it, he can know God has forgiven his sins, for he has met the conditions God set for forgiveness. Since God is no respecter of persons, all receive the same invitation, the same requirements, and when accepted and obeyed, all receive the same result.

God's plan is simplicity itself, clearly revealed, easily understood. And just as easily understood is God's requirement for those who are saved: "Deny ungodliness, worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly" (Titus 2:12) and "receive that incorruptible inheritance, the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul" (1 Pet. 1:4,9).

No excuse can be given in that day which will justify the sinner. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Heb. 5:8-9). Have you obeyed the gospel? If so, are you yet living in harmony with its commandments? If not, why not?