Mar 1994 - Editorial

by Geoffrey Hydon | Category: Editorial | Mar 1994

Paul practised what he preached (2 Thes. 3:7-10). In this he was like the One who made him an apostle. We are apt to think of Christ as the great Teacher, expressing in His words deep spiritual truth. That is a correct viewpoint for, as the Word of God, He declared to people the reality of the unseen God. And we remember that God's ways and judgements are beyond the ability of man to trace out, or learn by analysis. So as we read of the Son we are impressed with His declaration of eternal, divine truth. However, it is recorded of Christ that He "began both to do and to teach." It is well for us to note the order in that statement: practice came before preaching. There was no moral obligation placed on people by Christ that He had failed to observe Himself; there was no appeal to devotion and discipleship that was not founded in His own disciple character and practice (Isa. 50:4-7).

Disciples have been defined as those who learn to follow and follow to learn. We may as disciples be inclined to see learning as an end in itself. Should we not rather take the example of our Master in laying stress on application of what is taught? It is an instructive exercise to consider the doctrine of the Lord and attempt to find some part of it that does not require application in behaviour and attitude. The Lord's teaching was not a theoretical dogma, it was intensely practical, finding its greatest expression in the matter of sacrificial love. How great then the privilege of Peter and the other apostles who followed the footsteps of the Master; first to learn from Him and then to be like Him. We will no doubt be helped, as we turn the pages of this magazine of Needed Truth, in keeping before us the thought: "Now, am I doing what I should in response to that truth?"

Geoffrey Hydon | Mar 1994
Editorial