STRENGTH THROUGH TRUTH

STRENGTH THROUGH TRUTH

Sunday, May 3, 2020

  John [MKJV] 17:14-17 [Jesus prayed] I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth. [1Pet.2:1-2, 23; Eph.5:26]

   Romans [ESV] 12:1-3 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

  Once again recently I heard a professing Christian speak of the Bible as concepts they try to live by. Is God’s Word a wonderful book of ideas to live by? No, definitely not. God’s Word does not provide ideas. God’s Word is truth!

  Whether we think of God’s Word as concepts or precepts presently and ultimately matters.

·         “Biblical ideas” frames God Incarnate as a liar. (Jn.17:17)

·         Thinking God’s Word is a book of ideas is worldly custom counter to godly thought.

·         “Biblical ideas” keep individuals and congregations from living by the strengthening mercies of God.

·         “Biblical ideas” keeps individuals and congregations from learning God’s will for them.

·         To think His Scripture is conceptual indicates belief He is not Omni, the All-knowing All-Wise Alpha and Omega.

·         Striving to live by “Biblical ideas” is contrary to authentic worship.

·         “Biblical ideas” is counter to pleasing God.

·         “Biblical ideas” is unacceptable egocentric all-about-me-first-and-last-of-all. (1Tim.6:3-5)

·         “Biblical ideas” will keep us as individuals and congregations from living in unity with God’s allotment.

  I close my thoughts this morning with an applicable passage from God’s Word, the Book of Psalms: For the choir director; a psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shares knowledge with the next without talking, without words, without their voices being heard. Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world, their message to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun, which comes out of its chamber like a bridegroom. Like a champion, it is eager to run its course. It rises from one end of the heavens. It circles around to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat. The teachings of the LORD are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the LORD is dependable. It makes gullible people wise. The instructions of the LORD are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the LORD is radiant. It makes the eyes shine. The fear of the LORD is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of the LORD are true. They are completely fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. As your servant I am warned by them. There is a great reward in following them. Who can notice every mistake? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep me from sinning. Do not let anyone gain control over me. Then I will be blameless, and I will be free from any great offense. May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my defender. (GW Ps.19. Also note Neh.8:10 & Ps.21:1)

EBB4   Friday, May 04, 2018