For although all of Scripture is true and important, deserving study, reflection, and carefully applied thought, the Lord God in his wisdom did not give us a Bible of abstract principles, but highly diverse texts woven into highly diverse situations. Despite the diversity, of course, there is still only one sweeping storyline, and only one Mind ultimately behind it. But the rich tapestry of varied human experience reflected in the different biblical books and passages—not least in the different psalms—enables the Bible to speak to us with peculiar force and power when the “fit” between the experience of the human author and our experience is especially intimate.[1]
The Bible is an amazing gift of God. It speaks to every situation in life and yet provides the fundamental hope of all humanity.
When I say it speaks to every situation in life, I mean that in principle of course. The difficult situations I am facing in my life right now are not recorded in exact representation in the Bible, but there are similar situations where a child of God is challenged and God reveals His character and will. The Biblical situation reveals standards and concepts that guide me in my decision making.
Not only does the Bible help in everyday decisions, it also provides the eternal peace of God. From the first creation recorded in Genesis to the new creation recorded in Revelation the hope of God’s unconditional love is shown and His plan and desire for individuals to find rest in Him is revealed.
From the fall of our ancestors to the rising of the saints we see God willing to cover our sins and bring relational harmony between creature and Creator. In the initial fall our first parents brought death into the world, but God did not abandon them in their sin. He provided a blood sacrifice and covered their nakedness. There were consequences to their actions, but God in His love gave grace. He does that today for all who will trust and believe that Christ is God and came to be the sacrifice for the sin of God’s chosen children. In the end all who trust in Jesus will be covered and their shame will not be revealed. They will walk humbly with God and die peacefully in His mercy.
What an awesome God! What an amazing Word!
[1]D. A. Carson, For the Love of God : A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word. Volume 1 (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1998), June 16.
8 comments:
I encourage anyone to read the Bible no matter how little one has read before. Begin with a short, disciplined amount each day and adjust alittle more as you grow in truth. I challenge anyone to do this. IF you do I'm certain you'll find yourself blessed often. I'm also certain you'll find yourself loving more; God and your fellow man.
It is only by the blood of Christ that any of us can stand, Pastor Jason. What an awesome God, indeed. I do want to add to that statement though....a warning if you will.
I believe that may Christians today make God's grace cheap. They do as they please, and ask for forgiveness later. They have their "salvation card" in their back pocket, yet the abuse and disregard the sacrifice it took Jesus to give that gift of peace and hope. Jesus's blood does cover all of our sin; however, the consequences of that sin can last forever. I mean, look at the life of David...how his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba was a thorn in his family's side for generations to follow. He was forgiven and considered a man of great righteousness, but he still failed, and lived the consequences of that.
Jesus doesn't just "cover" it for us and let it all go away. He forgives us and allows us to walk in a relationship with Him, yet we will carry the scars of our own sinful choices...physically and emotionally.
Our decisions, our pride, our sin affects our earthly lives, and the lives around us. Don't neglect that promise. We will have to answer to our Redeemer. Christ's blood covers our filth...but may we never cheapen that to think that we can do as we please with our lives and those around us...especially in the leadership that you have. You have a Master, and He will bring judgement.
I am confused by something you wrote. You say that God is willing to "cover" our sins. You go on to say that "in the end, all who trust in Jesus will be covered and their shame will not be revealed."
I understand alluding to Adam and Eve, and covering their nakedness to take away their shame. However, if we sin, do you believe that God will cover us and protect us from the shame that we feel for our sin?
For instance, if I sin against my brother, I understand that with true repentance (key word "true") there is forgiveness. However, that does not take away my shame and embarrassment, nor does it absolve me of the consequences for my sin, whether legal or societal. I am forgiven, but I am still guilty and must deal with the sin even after the forgiveness, correct?
I agree with the previous statement that many Christians cheapen God's grace. However, if you think about it not one of us goes through a day, a week, a month, or a year without doing the same thing at some point. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)."
I've learned that instead of pointing that out I must work to allow Christ to change my heart. My walk is difficult enough and I have no justification to observe the sins of my brothers and sisters.
I believe we must do the very best to be holy (1 Pet 1:16), allow others to see the fruits of the Holy Spirit within (Matt. 5:16), don't judge another man weaknesses while we strive to live holy (Matt. 7; Romans 14:1-3), love our fellow fallen brethren (1 John 4:11); and pray that we can encourage any of our fellow saints that have fallen into a "rut" and help direct them to the relationship God wants with us all (James 5:20).
Lee,
In Christ you have no guilt or shame before God. There is a consequence for our sin. When you sin, God's Spirit will convict you and you will feel guilt and possibly shame, but in Christ you are covered before God and are free from guilt in shame because Jesus paid it all.
Camp out on it Brother Pettus !
A HUGE Amen from Nowhere, Texas.
-Jud Epting
Today I am grateful that God looks at the heart while man looks at the face/outer appearance. I am glad scripture is not ambiguous. I rejoice that God is conforming me to the image of Jesus and cares very little if at all about trivial social norms,cultural patterns, socioeconomic standards, the status quo. that people create and strive to maintain(even within the church) I am grateful that He helps me focus on the inside of my cup instead of only cleansing the outside like the Sanhedrin of old. If I am not being rebellious to God, or the leaders He has placed in my life then I am emancipated to be myself and to delight myself in the Lord. Just think, every time it has ever snowed each snowflake among billions holds a totally unique chrystaline pattern. I am glad that God is so creative and that his thumb-print of divinity is on humanity in this way. Our Father is good and we shall have our milk and honey.
Jehova Tsidkenu~~~Jehova Shalom
Jud Epting,
What are you doing in Texas? I thought you were still in Nashville.
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