Hope Through Endurance and Encouragement of the Scriptures Part 2

Continued from yesterdays post....on the subject of what the Bible is NOT:

3.  The Bible, with all of its scriptures on grace, is NOT a license to live a life of "whatever"!   If a single word could condemn a whole nation, then I believe the word of our day might be, "Whatever!"  It is the response that
wipes out the seriousness of all thoughtful discourse.  There is no longer any need to find truth in our culture, because truth is relative.  How lost we are as a nation, maybe even as a planet, because we have no anchor, no compass and no map, and we are raising a generation of  children who do not have the security of knowing truth.  That is a direct response to the generations before who were condemning in their religion, afraid to speak of grace, for fear the younger generation might run with it and give in to sin.  Sin, in those days, was accomplished behind closed doors in closed homes and whispered behind covered mouths.  It was known but not acknowledged, in many cases, hiding behind self-righteousness and pointed fingers.  But God did not, by sending His Son, give us permission to live a life of "Whatever!"  Romans 6:1 and following says:  "What shall we say then, shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."  That truth leads us to such a greater life than the life of "whatever"!  This means that, through God's Spirit, we can be raised to a higher and higher level of righteousness, peace and joy, ever increasing until we go home to our Heavenly home!  The other wonderful aspect of this truth is, we never arrive; therefore, we never have any right to judge another.  Our striving can cease....our anxiety about achieving and acquiring....we can rest in the knowledge that if we are in Christ, everything we can be and achieve is possible in Him.  He truly calls us to the abundant life!  Why would we settle for a life of "Whatever"?

What the Bible IS:
1.  Our wealth of wisdom and guidance:  Colossians 3:13 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God."  Isn't that a beautiful picture?  The peace of Christ rules our hearts....we are all unified as members of one body.  We are thankful.  We are rich with the Word of God, and we teach from the wealth of that wisdom, singing together out of gratitude for the life that God has given us!  That is God's plan for His people.  Love, peace, wisdom, unity, peace....

2.  Alive and active, even today:  "...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 of creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered  and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  Hebrews 4:12.  At first glance that is a terrifying scripture, full of separation of joints and marrow, being laid bare before the eyes of God....but look deeper.  This is a scripture of hope, my friends!  The truth is God does see everything we do, say, think or feel, and He love us enough to allow His beloved Son to die for our sins.  We will be judged by the words of the Bible, and those of us who live our lives in the saving grace of God's merciful Son, will be spared the consequences of our sins.
He gives us the opportunity to discover what pleases Him and how to rise above the ugly reality of our sins in this life!  Who among us does not want to offer the best to our families, our husbands and wives, our children, our friends?  Who doesn't want to leave behind the frustrating habits and weaknesses that plague our lives?
The miraculous gift of the Bible is that it works on us.  How many times has a scripture come to mind, mid-sentence, when I have thought of just the right nasty, sarcastic comeback during an argument?  How many divorces could have been avoided by just the right response at a critical moment?  How many times, when I have been in tears over the harsh words of a loved one, have the comforting words come to my heart:  "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Jesus' words comfort me in that situation, because of what He said, but more because of how He lived.  He did not mourn over what man said to Him....His course was sure, and He gave of Himself to the point of death...on a cross.

3.  The Bible is a story of the love of God for the people He created.  "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life."  God loved so He gave.  Yes, there is death in the world and always has been.  Death is the result of sin, but life is a gift of God....abundant life (John 10:10) " The enemy comes to kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and  have it to the full."  The sad thing, God gets blamed for the death, when it is the enemy who seeks to destroy.  God has given us a free life, and with that comes a free will.  The earth itself is under the power of the enemy.  He comes to kill and destroy.  God redeems us from the ashes of this world.
He freely gives us forgiveness and freedom and the hope of eternity with Him.  He also gives us the hope of knowing Him and who He is through His holy, active and living Word.  God is love.  God is hope.  In Him there is no darkness at all.