We LOVE this thing, it tells us where to go and we follow it. It has destroyed the map. In fact, the Daily Mail reported that research showed that 11 million drivers could not read a simple road map. (See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-473344/Fifty-cent-drivers-read-map.html).
What an interesting thought. The fact that in this society, where many of us do not even trust our own neighbours, would feel safe to trust a box that tells us "Turn Left" when we cannot even see who has given the box that information. In fact, we trust it so much that I am sure some people would even trust the Sat Nav rather than the road signs that they see with their own eyes! Yet, this is still, a box. I mean the fact is that it messes up, it loses signal, it will sometimes guide you to the wrong place, and will run out of battery! But yet... We still trust it. So here is my question, is there something better than the Sat Nav? Is there something that we can trust greater than the box that is stuck to our windscreens? Is there something that can guide us to the destination I believe many of us want to be?
Proverbs 14:12 gives us a simple, yet grave warning:
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Quite simple. I mean, look how many "ways of life" there are! We live in a society where everyone does there own thing, yet, if you ask many, TRUE HAPPINESS has not been attained, and then the inevitable thing happens, we die. So there MUST be a way which is right to God, and there MUST be something that can lead us along that way, and the end result if we faithfully follow MUST be eternal life! So ladies and gentleman, I present to you God's Sat Nav, the thing that WILL lead us on His way; The Bible. Let's look at a few AMAZING specifications.
The Maker- 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis supplied)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."
So the author of the Scriptures, the maker of the amazing guide to life is GOD (and by the way, God knows everything- Psalm 139:2-6).
The Team- 2 Peter 1:19-21 (emphasis supplied)
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
Yes, the Bible does say that it was written by men, however, these men were moved by the Holy Ghost, and so "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..."
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
The Bible was written for everyone! So throughout the ages, the Scriptures, have brought comfort and hope to those who have read it and studied it, and now, it is for YOU, and me! God, through holy men, has written to us the way for us to go! He had you in mind when He gave this message!
Will it ever crash?- John 10:35 (emphasis supplied)
"If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken..."
Jesus Himself said that the scripture cannot be broken! This amazing truth is throughout the Bible! (see Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35; Psalm 12:6, 7)
Where is it pointing to?- John 5:39 (emphasis supplied)
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
So here, Jesus says that the scripture points to Him! The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is concerned with our amazing Saviour! And here is some extra beauty...In 1 John 5:11, it says that eternal life is IN HIS SON (that is Jesus), so putting these two texts together, the Bible points us to eternal life, because that is wrapped up in Jesus!
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
A normal Sat Nav can (sometimes) tell you the road that is coming up, but it cannot tell you the cars that will be on the road; it cannot tell the future. Yet God says that He can, the Bible tells us the future! We will be focussing on this next week... IT IS AMAZING!
Is it right though?- John 17:17 (emphasis supplied)
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
A very definite statement wouldn't you think? God says His word is truth. Simple.
Is it complicated to use? Who will show me how to use it?- 1 Corinthians 2:14/John 16:13 (emphasis supllied)
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
The natural man, our natural state of being, cannot naturally understand the things of God. It is kind of like a baby understanding an Maths degree formula, it is just not going to happen! So how do we understand it?
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
The Spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost. (how do we know this?! Well, John 15:26 tells us that another name for the Spirit of truth is the Comforter, and John 14:26 says that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost! So the Spirit of truth=Comforter=Holy Ghost). So the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God (compare the titles of the Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus) will guide us into ALL TRUTH, so, the author of the Bible will teach you what it means! (through principles that I will share on Friday's thought).
What does it show about you? Hebrews 4:12 (emphasis supplied)
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
It will show you what you are really like, who you really are, after all, God does know how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:17). However, it will also show you the way to becoming more like Christ!
What is it capable of?- James 1:21
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."
This just adds on to John 5:39, it is able to save our souls, if we receive it with meekness!
The Bible is a POWERFUL thing, and God gave it us, not to leave it on our shelves, but to read it, and ask God to give us understanding, and trust in Him to show us the way! To sum it all up, David says in Psalm 119:105:
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
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| God's Word shows God's Love! |
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