Question:  May all men make use of the holy Scriptures?
Answer:  All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures (John 5:38; 17:17-18; Rev. 1:3; Acts 8:30)

In this three question set concerning the Word of God (questions 4-6), there is an interesting progression of what God’s Word is, to how it is to be used.  This particular question that is being addressed today, concerns itself with the extent of who is commanded to heed the Word of God.  It should be properly noted that just as all men have a duty to believe in God (question 2), all men have a duty to live by His Word.  I find this interesting that the God who has revealed Himself through creation did not leave His creation without a proper understanding of who He is.  Yet not only is He rejected, but His Word as well.  I believe that this is what the passage in John 5 is referencing.

But this question and answer set makes it very clear that all do have a responsibility to heed His Word.  Of course, one would not want to overlook the missiological implications of such a statement.  What missiological implications you ask?  Romans 10:14-17.  How can they hear without a preacher?  Why is this preacher needed?  God has decreed that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 

So all men, even unconverted, have a duty to heed God’s Word.  He is their creator just as he is the creator of the converted.  There are principles upon which our society were founded; there are principles upon which our society operates that are basic “Christian” principles.  This is not the place for the discussion of those principles, but it does point out that all men, whether desirous or not, at least occassionally heed God’s Word. 

So all men, especially the converted, have a duty to heed God’s Word for reasons mentioned in Question 6 and for the missiological implications.  We must proclaim God’s Word so that it may be heard in a way as such it can be understood.  Faith comes by hearing. 

We are commanded to read, hear, and understand God’s Word.  This is a progression that should be noted as well.  We are to not only read God’s Word, but to submit to it’s hearing, and then apply what is read or heard.  One has not truly heard if understanding is not gained.  Application is an evidence of true knowledge.

Also tied into this discussion of this question/answer set is the definition of sin, but it is more appropriatly discussed in Question 6.  For the neglect to heed the revelation of the God who created us is sin.