Jesse Whitlock
Many times we find the word must in God’s Word. Many more times that word is implied in certain references. Vine defines this Greek word, dei, as “an impersonal verb, signifying ‘it is necessary’ or ‘one must,’ ‘one ought,’” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 775. Let us note the thrust of this little word in seven powerful passages of Holy Writ:
John 3:14, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up.” If the serpent had not been lifted up in the wilderness the people would have had no cure for the deadly snakebite. Likewise, if God had not allowed His only begotten Son to be lifted up on the cross, we would be without a cure for the deadly problem that confronts all mankind, i.e., sin. Note John 3:15, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Every person who is saved must be saved by obedience to the authority of Christ our Lord. Christ is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9b).
Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Trust is a Must! We cannot be pleasing to God without belief. Recall the words of a hymn we sing on occasion: “Trust and obey, for there is not other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Don’t forget the definition of the word “must,” i.e., “it is necessary”—“one must”— “one ought.”
Acts 16:30, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” there is no greater question that any man can ask. Remember the imperative force and thrust of that little word, MUST. Watch this: (v. 31) “they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved” (v. 33) “and was baptized, he and all his” (v. 34) “and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” They had to hear the Word of the Lord and obey the Lord’s Word. So must man today!
John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” This is the Lord’s instruction to Nicodemus. In the context of John 3 we note that one cannot enter into the kingdom of God unless that one is born again. Christ stated in John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The new birth, being born anew, i.e., New Testament baptism. This must is just as imperative today as it was when first commanded.
John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” We must worship God with the right attitude and with the right authority (dare we say, pattern?)—yea, verily! Our worship then, must conform to the powerful and precious truth of God!
2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” All mankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and all of us will be judged. Quicker than you can say “O.J. Simpson,” the whole world will be judged by God. Your destiny and mine will be based upon our obedience or disobedience to God’s will. (Heb. 9:27; Ecc. 12:13-14; Mat. 7:21-23; Rom. 14:12).
