Saturday, 03 March 2007
-
God's Greatest Gift ~ The Commonly Overlooked One
When you think of a Christian today, what's one of the first things that comes to mind? I'm not talking about negative thoughts or anything, but what is it that's so commonly preached? It normally centers around God/Jesus loving you and how they want to save you. Or, certain people may go into the "You're going to hell" approach. The latter is personally not one of my favorites. I believe it to be completely ineffective unless the listener already understands the whole process and is simply just backsliding. Even then, though, you're better off to be reassuring than condemning. However, this is a topic for another post I think.Point being, the main thing that Christianity focuses on is the being saved part. I completely understand that this is an important factor, but sometimes I wonder if putting such emphasis on it may be dulling out other areas that are just as important - In some cases just as 'needed' for salvation. Yes, Jesus was our sacrifice that allows us to be forgiven, but simply loving Him and confessing and such is only part of the process. Relying solely on this is not a safe bet for salvation.
So, what is this overlooked gift that He gives us I'm speaking about? One word: Knowledge. Okay, now you're wondering how something as simple as knowledge can be so important in the plan of salvation, right? Well, without it one would not know how to properly obey God in the first place. This is why God has prophets. This is why, due to the prophets, we have The Bible. I fear that many people/Christians nowadays take The Bible and the ability to understand God's plan for us in such detail for granted. Sure, a lot of believers have read it, many probably several times. Problem is, God's Word is not meant to be merely read, but to be studied and meditated on. Why do you think so much of what Jesus said is in parables? Let alone the fact that most of the rest of it is in a sort of prophetic code that's not easily understood at first glance. Not truly understood, anyway.
God gave us the chance and ability to truely study His Word and to get to know Him better. Why is it that so many take that for granted, or simply don't bother?
When Joshua took over Moses' place in guiding Israel, God told him to "meditate day and night" on the law (Meaning, the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments) so that he could "do according to all that is written therein" which would result in his life path being "prosperous" and "have good success" (See Joshua 1:8). Note that meditating did not mean what we commonly believe it to according to today's customs. It meant to study, to think about. Basically, Joshua was told to spend quiet time reflecting on God's law and how to apply it properly, so he would not falter or forget something.
Consider the way that Jesus spoke. His parables were meant to provoke thought, to make you need to put actual effort into understanding them. If He had simply given easy to understand instructions, anyone could have followed whether they were doing it for the right reasons or not. He spoke very much of this in a certain parable about seeds. Check out Mark 4:1-34 to read it.
Jesus spoke "And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.". (Mark 4:16,7) How easy is it to fall into that trap? Whether born and raised with these beliefs, or a new Christian who is just exposed to God's love and truth for the first time. It's so easy to get excited about that immediate feeling, that immediate truth...To follow fully into it, and then go no further. Take the first few steps and believe we are saved, without constant study to learn more and more. We become comfortable within the beginning stages and don't feel a need to venture further. The problem is, as Jesus pointed out, this method doesn't give us roots within our beliefs. It's just topical. When truly confronted with something that threatens our beliefs, what do we have to stand on? How can we defend it to others if we do not fully know how? Even if you withstand such a confrontation, were you able to share anything convincing that might show someone else why you believe that way? Not to mention the high chances you will walk away with even the slightest of doubts left in your mind, which are the seeds that will begin you down the wrong path.
Another good verse to note on this subject:
(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I'm sure there are many of you who do spend some time studying, of course. Many also get their information from church, from sermons, from group Bible study, and from reading articles like this one online. All of these are wonderful ways to keep your mind active in thinking about what God's Word might say, but never should someone rely solely on them. I want you to ask yourself this: "Where do I get my beliefs from? Why do I believe it?" If any of your thoughts go to what someone else said, be careful. That's the problem with personal opinions, they can vary so widely. Why else would there be so many interpretations of scriptures of all sorts in this world? Sure, it's great that you pay attention to the weekly sermon at church, but do you ever go home after and actually check all of the information for yourself? Don't get me wrong, I'm very much to blame for doing this same thing on countless occasions. I think "Hey! That makes sense to me! It must be true if so-and-so says it comes from The Bible!". Wrong. It's true to them, from how they interpret it. Too many people nowadays reply completely on this form of learning and neglect personal, serious, and thoughtful Bible study.
Imagine this scenario: The judgement day comes. You're taking your turn, standing before God. You know that you spent your whole life as a devout (Enter religion here), and you did your best to follow what that faith said was true. Yet, to your surprise, you're not allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Why? Because it turns out what you believed and followed was something man and Satan had twisted, which lead you down the wrong path. (Note that God will judge us according to our own experiences and knowledge, so you will only be punished if you 'willingly' turned away from the opportunity to learn the truth when you had it)
How would you feel? Your whole eternal life, gone. All because you didn't take a few hours a week (Or more, of course) to meditate on His Word and find the truth. Sure, there's a risk of conflict if you find something that disagrees with family or your church. However, doesn't it seem so minimal compared to the conflict you'll face with God? I certainly think so.
So, to sum it up. Take the time. Spend it with God and His Word. Ask His Holy Spirit to guide you to see the truth when you do, because only through the Spirit may you find His truth. And only through a desire to want to learn and obey Him the best way possible, will all be revealed to you and you can walk in His footsteps. Don't take my word for it, either. Take His. It's worth it.
(Hosea 4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Blessings and Love,
Sarah
-
recommend
- recs 0
-
share
-
email
- sent 1
Post a Comment