Following the ecclesial news from San Diego County, California, there is a testimonial to the late Bro. Alan Tunnell by his uncle, Bro. Max Wickham. Max noted that Alan not only kept his faith right to the end, but never complained or questioned, “Why me?” And at one point Alan made a statement which deeply touched them all: he didn’t know why this was happening, “but if it is for the benefit of someone else, then I am honored.”
That concept, I may be suffering to benefit someone else, has been a remarkable antidote to despair for many enduring seemingly inexplicable trouble. Interestingly, it does not seem to have been a well-understood Bible teaching in our community until the past 30 years. Earlier studies stressed the personal character development that comes from suffering, the opportunity to glorify God through trial and the fact that suffering is the common lot of all mankind because of sin. But the idea that someone else’s development may be the key reason God has brought suffering into our life was not featured or even mentioned in the articles we reviewed.
A detailed study of Job
To our knowledge, the point was introduced to our generation in a set of closely-typed mimeographed comments on Job presented to the Fourth Australian Bible School in the middle 60’s. The writer was expounding Job 38:39-39:30, regarding the lessons Job could learn from God’s provision for the animate world. One feature was, in some cases, the innocent must die that others might live (e.g. the sheep dies to sustain the lion). From this observation, a suggestion was made that this principle was evident in the life of Job and preeminently in the life of the Lord Jesus.
The notes making this point were the result of long and careful Bible study, just the kind designed to cause many of us to ask, What a tremendous amount of work, but why bother with all these notes? Don’t most of them just get thrown out? Yet that comment, buried away in a detailed study, was noted by some who appreciated where this idea could lead.
Today it is a fairly regular feature of Bible school, Bible class and study-day comments on Job to point out that here is a classic case of the righteous suffering for the benefit of others. Furthermore, it is normally noted this principle could be operative in our own lives. Therefore, don’t be overwhelmed when you see no reason for your suffering, just remember it may not be primarily for you, but for someone else. And, as Bro. Alan said, if that is the case, feel honored God sees fit to use you in such an exalted manner.
For many, this concept has been a great benefit extracted from a rather enigmatic section of scripture, only yielding its encouraging message after deeply pondering the word of God.
The atonement
No doubt there are times when expositions on this subject seem beyond one’s reach and are likely to generate more argument than benefit. Yet in the special section on drug abuse (3/98, p. 99), one of the contributors noted it was when he determined to understand the “Bible teaching regarding the crucifixion” that his life was changed. The outpouring of divine love evident in the way of redemption evoked a response of love from his own heart. Bible study changed his life.
We are told it has similarly affected members of the Amended and Unamended fellowships as they study this subject anew in the course of reunion discussions. The power of the cross to work moral and spiritual change in our life has been seen to supersede legalistic explanations and technical definitions.
Other recent examples
In the same section dealing with drug abuse, another article commented on the appropriate response of parents in drug-abuse situations. “Unconditional Love” suggested the guidance for parental conduct is found in looking to how God has revealed Himself in His holy word (i.e. Bible study). When some careful study is undertaken, we see a love that is very great, but has limits; it is not unconditional. Thus, in a very practical way, parents are guided in their response and are assured not to feel guilty when they struggle with their own powerful emotions. Here is a very practical impact of Bible study.
Several months ago (9/97, p.322), a comment was made regarding contamination by association in connection with a more general editorial. To readers, this, no doubt, appeared another passing note by the editor. In actual fact, we had given a study series on Haggai years ago and were reviewing it for another presentation when the impact of Haggai 2:12-14 finally clicked, and for the first time we understood biblically how to apply the doctrine of contamination by association in our era. (Haggai’s spirit-guided application was that if we walk in iniquity even our occasional good works are contaminated and useless to God.)
To some this is a trivial matter, but to one coming from a background of the Berean fellowship, the insight was very important, indeed. We can remember detailed revelations about wrong teaching in England which would contaminate us if we broke bread with those who broke bread with those who broke bread with any coming from the meeting where the error was allegedly propounded. This was the big reason for staying separate from the Central Fellowship. To this day, some fellowships are based on such an understanding of guilt by remote association.
Careful Bible study can thus make a significant difference in our fellowship practices.
Basic principles
Working with the Bible seminar groups, the practical impact of detailed Bible study is easily seen. Grasping the true state of the dead is vital in order to have a right appreciation of the future reward of the righteous. If man has an immortal soul, then the soul of the rejected is conscious of some terrible punishment for endless ages based on their deeds during this present, short life span. While this would be an extraordinary punishment for anybody, it surely could not be applicable to any but the most grievous sinner. Thus the person of average morality thinks he’s alright with God and sees no pressing reason to commit himself wholeheartedly to a life in Christ.
While some passages regarding the person of Christ or the devil may seem difficult to understand, a right grasp of these teachings is vital. The doctrine of the trinity can be easily traced back to ancient pagan concepts, but the church insists it must be accepted even though it cannot be comprehended. The aura created is that religion belongs to a different sphere of life and is not related to the practical, everyday world. And the belief in a supernatural devil, competing with God for our loyalties, throws into disarray our understanding of our warfare against the real enemy we face, the lusts within us that strive to control our lives.
Presenting the truth on these issues may require tedious concordance work and very careful comparing of scripture with scripture. Once these doctrines are understood, however, religion is seen to make sense and to be very relevant to our daily lives.
Bible study should not be exalted as an end in itself, nor should it be viewed as a higher calling than other areas of service in Christ, but it should never be demeaned as secondary to practical Christianity. Careful Bible study uncovers the bedrock of our faith and, when properly applied, is fundamental to living faithful, dedicated lives in Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One