Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Fluent in the Bible


Proverbs 3:1-14 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the  Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."

Last week, our “all-church” small groups Bible Study working through the books of Exodus and Leviticus in the national “Bible Fluency” course was lead by one of our great Lay-Leaders Michael, who explained in his opening remarks that the term “gets understanding” from the above passage of Holy Scripture has the meaning of the “flowing together of the two streams of wisdom and knowledge”. Bible Fluency involves the application of getting understanding by way of these two streams. To be fluent is to be well versed in the language. The Bible is about God’s “redemption plan” of man, from death to life and Jesus Christ is the meaning of life – the Word of God in the flesh, God incarnate; God manifest. Believing is the action of accepting God at His Word and stepping out in faith. The essence of believing is that the Lord is in charge and we are not.

Our lesson taught that despite our confidence, we never get where we are trying to go and make a mess of things trying on our own. God is completely holy and we (fallen humanity) are lost, and in reality, are really in a mess because of sin. Independence from God and rebellion against God stem from the failure to trust God. Idolatry is our instinctive inclination, our inherent tendency and natural behavior since the fall, which is ultimately revealed in our not treating God as holy.


Galatians 3:10-13 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Is the answer to “do the right thing” and obey the Laws of God. No, because, in our “fallen” state, we cannot perfectly follow God’s Law. Break one and you are guilty of breaking “The Law” and behind bars ... and we all break many. The Law of God is good, but we just ate unable to keep it. God is putting out 2 sign posts (1) Redemption – to be purchased and brought out of bondage, which ultimately point s to Jesus Christ. (2) Atonement – taking the punishment that was deserved, where our death sentence was transfer to the sacrifice. The passing over of death by the blood propitiation. Relationship is not about what we do or do not do. You can keep sin down, but it keeps wiggling. To be “right” with God is not doing the “right stuff”, but accepting the “right” Savior and what Jesus did on the Cross in our place. May the Scriptures lead you to the Way, the Truth and the Life.


In Christ, Brian 

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