Does It Really Say That III?
These articles are designed to help the reader overcome the hindrances to Learning and knowing the Truth, so as to be governed by it. A religion is not worth much which does not make improvements in a man's life and relationships with others. The first consideration, however, is his relationship with His Creator.
There are so many opinions out there, so many religions, and news ones being formed every day. If you feel that age is a sign of correctness, then perhaps the news ones do not impress you much. Some which are a hundred or a hundred and fifty year s old had their beginning from a feeling that the old churches had lost their thrill. They no longer provided the satisfaction to the emotions which people sought. This is a factor which still means much to people. The older, more solid organizations have seemingly lost their appeal. There seems to be no power there.
We may ask a friend, but does He know? We may seek out a scholar. Surely He would know, or does he? We observe the impetus of the movement. It is lively, friendly, going places. It attracts "our" class of people, so we begin to like it. Its leaders obviously are educated. It looks to the schools for plans, developmental methods, and promotional ideas. Do any of these isolate this group so as to eliminate others from consideration? It may be that it has an appealing program. The music is superb. The young people are attracted. Are we enumerating what you are looking for? I do not say that these qualities are negatives, much less that smallness, dullness, or ignorance are the safe marks of God's Truth. So what is it that determines whether we listen to them?
The Bible, all of its books considered, is the place to look.
Are you making excuses, thinking that the Bible is such a large book? And all religions use the Bible, do they not? Well, no, they do not all. In fact, most have quit considering the Bible for the common people. The impression is left by Bible Schools and their graduates that it takes a scholar to understand the Bible. It is true that it contains metaphors, parables, all kinds of figures of speech. But so does our everyday language. So we must not isolate a single verse and attempt to decipher some mysterious sense and then, as often happens, build a religious movement on that.
We should not think that God does not mean for the Bible to be understood. He gave it to a covenant people (my opinion) whom he had chosen. Evidently he made his choice out of his understanding of such a people. But all people are much the same. All are sinners (my opinion). The Bible is given to explain to them their true position in the world and to explain who God is and what he desires for every man and t he world at large. That is my opinion again. Do you find this is true. I think you will if you will seriously make a search of its pages.
When you do this, you likely will be surprised at how much becomes clear as you read. Your own conscience will begin to register a response. You will feel that God is real, that He has a purpose for every man, and possibly his purpose for you will begin to show up. The Bible is said to be "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12 NIV); "quick and powerful" (AV).
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb. 4:12 NIV Copyright © 1984 by The International Bible Society, Published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506; U. S. A.). From long usage I prefer the King James Version. It says, in substance, the same thing, but many people stumble over its old English.
How could a book be "living and active," or "quick and powerful"? The old English quick means living; "powerful" means effectual. But why or how can this be so? You likely would not ask if you read the Book much. It was given originally through "holy men" who were moved by the Holy Spirit. This is the very language of 2 Peter 1:21. Yes, God does deal with me still. We do not see his face or hear t he sound of his voice, but we sense his hand upon us. He causes our minds to be alerted to what is meant when we read the inspired Scriptures. The word is "inspiration ( Timothy 3:16 AV}; "God-breathed" in the NIV. Not only were the words given by this means, but its sense comes much the same way. Job 32:8: "But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (AV). Maybe this is not a heavy hand upon us in our bodies, but it is "the breath of the Almighty" (Job 33:4). Just how you understand this may depend upon your rearing and other factors. The first man received the "breath of life" from God himself. We ought to believe that the spirit of man is still "the breath of God."
Prov. 20:27: "The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly:" (AV). The sense, no doubt, is that a man's spirit is like a lamp by which God searches out one's inmost being. Psa. 18:28: "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness" (AV). So you can expect God to make clear what you should know, if only you will look into the living Word of God and wait for Him to "light up your life."
We may ask a friend, but does He know? We may seek out a scholar. Surely He would know, or does he? We observe the impetus of the movement. It is lively, friendly, going places. It attracts "our" class of people, so we begin to like it. Its leaders obviously are educated. It looks to the schools for plans, developmental methods, and promotional ideas. Do any of these isolate this group so as to eliminate others from consideration? It may be that it has an appealing program. The music is superb. The young people are attracted. Are we enumerating what you are looking for? I do not say that these qualities are negatives, much less that smallness, dullness, or ignorance are the safe marks of God's Truth. So what is it that determines whether we listen to them?
The Bible, all of its books considered, is the place to look.
Are you making excuses, thinking that the Bible is such a large book? And all religions use the Bible, do they not? Well, no, they do not all. In fact, most have quit considering the Bible for the common people. The impression is left by Bible Schools and their graduates that it takes a scholar to understand the Bible. It is true that it contains metaphors, parables, all kinds of figures of speech. But so does our everyday language. So we must not isolate a single verse and attempt to decipher some mysterious sense and then, as often happens, build a religious movement on that.
We should not think that God does not mean for the Bible to be understood. He gave it to a covenant people (my opinion) whom he had chosen. Evidently he made his choice out of his understanding of such a people. But all people are much the same. All are sinners (my opinion). The Bible is given to explain to them their true position in the world and to explain who God is and what he desires for every man and t he world at large. That is my opinion again. Do you find this is true. I think you will if you will seriously make a search of its pages.
When you do this, you likely will be surprised at how much becomes clear as you read. Your own conscience will begin to register a response. You will feel that God is real, that He has a purpose for every man, and possibly his purpose for you will begin to show up. The Bible is said to be "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12 NIV); "quick and powerful" (AV).
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb. 4:12 NIV Copyright © 1984 by The International Bible Society, Published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506; U. S. A.). From long usage I prefer the King James Version. It says, in substance, the same thing, but many people stumble over its old English.
How could a book be "living and active," or "quick and powerful"? The old English quick means living; "powerful" means effectual. But why or how can this be so? You likely would not ask if you read the Book much. It was given originally through "holy men" who were moved by the Holy Spirit. This is the very language of 2 Peter 1:21. Yes, God does deal with me still. We do not see his face or hear t he sound of his voice, but we sense his hand upon us. He causes our minds to be alerted to what is meant when we read the inspired Scriptures. The word is "inspiration ( Timothy 3:16 AV}; "God-breathed" in the NIV. Not only were the words given by this means, but its sense comes much the same way. Job 32:8: "But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (AV). Maybe this is not a heavy hand upon us in our bodies, but it is "the breath of the Almighty" (Job 33:4). Just how you understand this may depend upon your rearing and other factors. The first man received the "breath of life" from God himself. We ought to believe that the spirit of man is still "the breath of God."
Prov. 20:27: "The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly:" (AV). The sense, no doubt, is that a man's spirit is like a lamp by which God searches out one's inmost being. Psa. 18:28: "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness" (AV). So you can expect God to make clear what you should know, if only you will look into the living Word of God and wait for Him to "light up your life."
This Web Site Created and Maintained by:
Ben Byrd
This site is best viewed with the best browers in the business!
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page
|
|