"Well Done!"

By Kathryn Hoover

May 1, 2021

I recently read a comment of someone who thought that questioning traditions and studying history is wrong and a waste of time. Most of us have read the Bible for years, and we take it for granted that the things our churches teach are correct. That is what I thought, too. But I guess I am just one of those people who like to know why. Answers like, "We've always done it this way," are not satisfying to me. I want to know the reason behind how things work and why things work like they do, be it relationships, church regulations, or farm machinery.

You see, it is possible to read the Bible and not be changed. But when someone who is hungry for truth starts really taking it in and studying it, that is when Scripture becomes alive. There is nothing wrong with trying to understand why things work like they do or why traditions were started. Some things are really fascinating and some are actually totally different than what we had always been told. Why should we study and question?

What I have observed in this short life of mine, is that if we don't study the truth, origins, and whatever else we have questions about, it will be to our detriment. If we don't know the truth, we will fall for lies and false teachers. If we don't line things up with Scripture, we are in great danger of being deceived. In our studying, there also needs to be balance. If we research something from every angle and line it up with Scripture, we will be much more able to detect lies, false teachings, and sayings that are taken as truth. Satan is a deceiver and has had much practice throughout history. It is therefor wise for us to study and question to make sure we are standing on the truth. We all want to hear those words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-4, 14).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).

Kathryn Hoover was raised a Mennonite and now runs a blog called "Light Hope and Truth."

To read her blog, click HERE.