A Secondary Purpose
Many of us who love this country are disturbed to see our society spiral deeper into the wickedness that seems to prevail in these modern times. It hurts us to see so many changes in regard to common decency and morality. Certainly, the primary reason such wickedness prevails is because many are refusing the Lord’s truths. They are following after wicked thoughts and intents and, accordingly, our society is suffering as a result. With these thoughts in mind, I wish you to consider a secondary purpose of the Word of God that I am convinced the Creator intended for mankind’s good.
It is obvious, by a study of God’s divine word, that the primary purpose for the Bible is to instruct men and women in the way that they might seek the Lord and that they might be part of His people. This has been the case since the beginning of man. The Lord instructed Adam and Eve with His word so they might know what He expected from them. The Lord instructed Israel through the Ten Commandments, through the remainder of His law, and through the rest of what we call the Old Testament as to how they were to be a people of the Lord. We have the New Testament to instruct us in these “latter days” as to how we can become His Christians and to be a part of His church. This is the primary purpose for His Word.
With this said, I am convinced the Lord has a secondary purpose for His Bible. He has given it to the world so that mankind might know how best to live and thrive in this life. It is from God’s Word that the world can know of such things as marriage, the family, basic morality for living, the importance of stable societies and governments, how to interact with our fellow man, etc.
Many of the principles that the Lord instructed Old Testament Israel in with regards to cleanliness and hygiene were unheard of at the time they were written. Surely the Lord wanted to give them (and the rest of mankind) His instructions in regard to caring for their bodies. In regard to germs and infections, words were written thousands of years before man finally come to this knowledge on His own! The Lord said blood was essential to life long before man’s science understood this (Leviticus 17:11-14)! He spoke of quarantining certain diseases (Leviticus 13-15)! He spoke of the importance of burying human waste long before man appreciated this (Deuteronomy 23:12-14)! These are just a few examples of the Creator wanting His creation to understand how they should live for their own betterment.
As we look throughout the earth and consider how men and women have lived, we can easily see that in areas where God’s Word was heeded mankind has thrived. Lives have been ordered and blessed when man acknowledged the truths in God’s Word. When he has not respected and lived by the Lord’s truths, lives have suffered. Consider what led to what is called the “Dark Ages.” This was a time when man refused many of the Lord’s truths even in the name of religion. Rejecting these truths led to diseases and instability and imploding societies.
Consider the basic principle of marriage. Marriage between a man and a woman was established by the Lord in the beginning, and it has been a great blessing to this day (Matthew 19:4-6). Even those who do not believe in the Lord have been blessed with and have enjoyed the benefits of this holy matrimony. This great institution has brought stability wherever it has been respected. Marriage between a man and a woman has led to families that have been the foundation of societies and cultures throughout history. Those who have not respected it have suffered instability and chaos.
How many of us know marriages that have lasted for many decades with couples who are not necessarily Christians? They have enjoyed the great benefits of a loving and honorable marriage and family because they know it comes from the Creator. Consider the first commandment with promise as noted by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:1-3. Surely this promise extends to those who may not be Christians by the scripture’s standards. By honoring their parents, children are blessed accordingly.
With all of this said, it is no surprise to see many of the problems our own culture has brought upon itself. These problems have come about because man in general is casting aside the Lord’s truths. He thinks his ways are superior, so he has disregarded basic divine truths and principles that the Lord intended for man to live by. Our society is beginning to suffer severely as a result.
It is not just marriage man has refused. There is the God-ordained principle of working for your needs that is not respected as much as it should be. There is refusing the reality of a Creator, and as a result, much of man’s sciences are based on the false religious philosophy of materialism and evolution that has taken over the majority of our institutions of higher learning.
The Scriptures testify to fair commerce. Employers are encouraged to pay proper wages rather than only concerning themselves with their own bottom-line. Employees are encouraged to work for their masters as they are working for the Lord rather than “looking out for number one.” The Scriptures testify to justice for the rich and poor alike (Leviticus 19:13-15). They even testify to fair taxation for rich and poor alike (Exodus 30:15). The Scriptures urge all to treat others with respect (Matthew 22:39). It is no wonder our society is suffering in so many areas, for our culture has refused the Lord’s truths.
Yes, it is my firm conviction that God gave the world His word so that man could live in peace and be stable and fruitful. Certainly the Creator wants all men and women to be saved. But even when most will refuse His salvation, He desires mankind to appreciate and enjoy his or her life. He has given us instructions to that end.
Now to be clear, I am not convinced the Lord desires a theocracy ruled in the name of religion. There is only one Christian nation that is the one body of Christ, the church of Christ. However, I do believe the Lord provided His word for mankind to give him an understanding of what is right and wrong and a way for men and women to dwell together in peace.
Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. ~ Ecclesiastes 2:24