1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. I. A VAST REALM FOR INQUIRY: "Prove all things." This implies — 1. Freedom of thought. Go into all churches and systems, there is good everywhere: find it out. Confine not your mind to your own narrow creed or church. 2. A test of truth. This test is threefold — (1) Results: "By their fruits shall ye know them."(2) The Spirit of Christ. Whatever agrees not with His free, righteous and loving Spirit must be rejected. (3) Conscience: "Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" II. A SPECIFIC OBJECT TO ATTAIN: "Hold fast." It is the good you want. What is the good? The "truth as it is in Jesus," a living, beautiful, soul transporting reality. Get this and then hold it fast. There is a danger of losing it; it is worth holding; it is more precious than worlds, it is the pearl of great price — the heaven of souls. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. |
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