"Important!"

"IMPORTANT! Read All Instructions Before Assembling!" "IMPORTANT! Read Manual Before Operating This Machinery!" "IMPORTANT! Alterations To This Product Will Void Warranty!"

Do we take such instructions seriously? Perhaps such warnings are merely to protect manufactures from being sued if instructions are not followed. This becomes clear when we read warnings that seem to be no-brainers. However, heeding the instruction to become properly familiar with the parts to be assembled or machinery to be operated can save one from a great deal of frustration and serious injury.

Yesterday I was struck by a closing statement in Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica that I'm not sure had caught my attention before. It is a statement drawing attention to the importance of what Paul had written.

We read. . .
"(27) I PUT YOU UNDER OATH before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers." ( 1 Thessalonians 5:27 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads. . .
"(27) I COMMAND YOU in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters." [NLT, © 1997, Wheaton Ill.: Tyndale House]

The Greek word used here by Paul is "enorkizo", and according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words it means " to put under (or bind by) an oath" and can be translated "adjure". Strong's Lexicon defines the word as "(1) to force to take an oath, to administer an oath to. (2) to adjure (solemnly implore)."

That was pretty strong language for Paul to have used as encouragement to make sure everyone had the opportunity to hear what he had written. Also, though Paul used "we" (i.e. 4:13; 5:12) throughout this letter, he may have been exercising his Apostolic authority here in using "I". This solemn command was one Paul personally extended. What Paul wrote in this letter was "IMPORTANT" for everyone there at Thessalonica.

Perhaps, in general, we would do well to commit by SOLEMN OATH or PROMISE to read the Scriptures regularly. All of us are in continual need of the message contained therein. There is no more "IMPORTANT" reading we could do! The Scriptures relate to how our life is to be lived now and what relates to the ultimate destination of eternity with our Lord. Even when my wife and I go camping next week, I will continue doing my morning Bible reading. Daily examining and reading of the Scriptures is a "noble" ( Acts 17:11) task that safeguards our daily walk. The SOLEMN AFFIRMATION is not something to do "on a stack of Bibles", but to be fulfilled by simply "opening one" with the sincere resolve to continue in reading it!

Have a great day COMMITTING BY WORD OF HONOR TO READ GOD'S WORD!
Carl

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