The traditional definition of a worker is usually: “One who adds value to a product or process”. So why did the Bible compare a practitioner of the word to a worker? What then can we ‘value-add’? The Bible described the word of God as not just ‘good’ but ‘perfect’ Ps 19:7. In fact it was so good that the initial release was literally cast in stone! How can we then value-add to something which has already been perfected? Maybe we’ve to learn from the Living Word himself. When Jesus speaks to the masses he don’t does not simply throw “Four Spiritual Law” verses at them but he’ll only use parable (Matt 13:34).
In fact the only occasions he quoted the scripture verbatim was when he was in the synagogue or when addressing the Jews. So we have a model of Jesus skillfully ‘handling’, ‘dividing’ and ‘working’ the scripture into various shades of digestibility for people of various background. If He would to simply quote the scripture to the masses it would be like casting pearls to the swine as most wouldn’t see the spiritual values (the pearl) in the scripture. Spiritual matters just alienate them just like pearl to the swine.
Thus we need to skill up our knowledge of the Bible, presentation/communication skill if we want to bring our message across to pre-believers. We’ll not be able to do it if we’re a poor workman unable to “handle the word of truth” and therefore wouldn’t be able to bring this prefect message to the imperfect world. It’s important therefore for us to be adequately grounded in the word by reading, meditating and above all pray for God to review reveal His truth to us.
All this takes time; so be prepared to set aside time if we want to learn anything from the Lord. No shortcut, no YouTube preachers with their “chicken soup for the soul” type of sermons. But on the other hand, we need not cross land and sea in order to be grounded in the word. Recently there’s this notion that you can never fully understand the Bible without mentorship from some great “well trained” teacher. Such notion is gnostic and only denial denies the sufficiency of the Bible. We CAN understand the scripture just by reading the Bible as scripture will be able to explain scripture. “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. .. But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. Deut 30:11,14
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt 11:29
Just as in Christ’s day, the reality is that most pre-believers today required to be skillfully ‘worked-on’, usually by several ‘workers’ through several ‘processes’ over a period of time gradually infusing spiritual value into a person until he comes to a point of conviction. We’ll not be able to do this if we do not know our scripture well. Yes we need to learn from the Lord Himself but on our part, we will need to be prepared to spend time “working the Word”.
Note: If any one needs further training in the Bible there’s a Bible institute, the World Wide Bible Institute (WWBI) operating right within this premise. Please contact the office for details.
Brother Henry Yeo
