Yesterday, we stated that the Bible pointed directly to the root(s) of our problems, whether pride, idolatry, gluttony, or rebelliousness. The Bible tells us that we are all sinners; we are all in that same boat....
But hey!
There's more!
The Bible also tells us how to correct things!
It tells us that the first thing we must do is to take care of that sin barrier between us and God. How do we do that?
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)That's how the transformation begins. After that, when the Bible (and the Holy Spirit) shows us that we are doing what is wrong, we should face it and admit it, and confess that it is wrong.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)When someone wrongs us, we are to overlook it or forgive.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)The Bible challenges us to stand up. To be counted. To resist being squeezed into the world's idea of what people should act like.
...so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky... (Philippians 2:15)The Bible encourages to trust, instead of to worry.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)The Bible says to us, don't ever, ever feel abandoned. It reminds us that we are never alone.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)And after we are saved and transformed we will be constantly maturing and growing more like Him. To do that, the Bible counsels us to flee from evil.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (II Timothy 2:22)Lastly, the Bible is transforming because it shows us what the path that honors God looks like. How does it do that? It trains us in right living. As we read and study, the Lord's Spirit can change the way we think; He can change the way that we look at other people; He can change what our priorities and our values are. God's Word will not return to Him without making an impact. So, if we submit to His instruction, we can grow in faith and live more like Jesus each day.
In II Timothy 3:17, we see that God uses the Bible to prepare and equip us.
It tells us about God and His plan.
It tells us that He has made us His ambassadors.
And it shows us examples (both good and bad) so that we can better learn to be a follower of Christ.
When we turn its pages, we see men and women who trust God to do great things -- like Elijah facing off against the king, the queen, and the prophets of Baal. Like Moses, taking on the Egyptians, including Pharaoh.
We see in its chapters people who held on to God in the fiercest times of testing -- like Daniel in the lions' den, and his buddies when they were in the fiery furnace. And we read of Esther, when the entire Jewish race was threatened with being wiped out.
On the flip side of the coin, we see people who failed miserably.
Abraham committing adultery with Hagar, Peter's denial of Christ, Jonah running away from God, and Paul killing Christians.....all of these people failed. But they were forgiven and restored.
We can read, too, of people who stood firmly without fear -- prophets who were ridiculed and attacked, Peter speaking on the Day of Pentecost, and the disciples who continued to preach at the temple, despite orders to stop.
All of these examples help us to learn what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
We all have a story.
Our story may be dramatic; He may have saved us from a life of drugs or other crimes. Or our story may be less dramatic, but it's still a story of salvation, transformation, and a growing faith. It's a story that should be on our lips, and ready to be told.
As we read our Bible, and as we tell others our story, we will begin to understand more and more that faith is not a concept that we learn -- it's a peaceful confidence in God that impacts all that we do.
There are other places that we can find truth, but there's only one place where we can find truth with no mixture of error. Only one place that we can find truth that can get us right with God, and can transform our lives. That truth is only effective if we put it to use -- how long has it been since we really felt that transforming power in our lives? How long has it been since we presented its truth to someone else?
Lord, help me to dig into the Bible, to have confidence in it, and to share it with others!
Sadly, I have witnessed so much vitriol and hatred over the years between Christians because of lack of grace and humility when approaching biblical hermeneutics, that it is very off putting to those looking on. There is a major incidence of that at the present time in the evangelical community. It deeply saddens me. And of course, everything is a hundred times worse when it is played out on social media. Lord give us humility and a willingness to be corrected! Thank you for this study.
ReplyDeleteThank you from me as well. I have gained from it, and I am grateful for it. You are in my prayers with thankfulness. As with CATachresis, I too note this vitriol. And there is another thing that keeps me from going to church. I can write you about that. I keep Church here at home just now. And everywhere I go.
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