I'm re-posting this blog post I read today, it was totally on
point. Let's read God's Word intentionally and be aware of what it's
communicating!
How exactly does the Bible—an ancient book written thousands of
years ago—reveal God’s way to people today? There are several key questions we
must ask, the answers to which reveal to us the way. Here they are:
1. Is there a command to obey?
The Bible is filled with divine commands for you and me to obey.
There is no question what God’s will is in these areas. Our obedience to His
commandments leads us precisely into the center of His will.
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For example, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation,
but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians
5:18). This is clear-cut. Non-negotiable. Black and white. There is
no doubt what God’s will is in this matter. His track will always—I repeat,
always—be found within the boundaries of obedience to His commandments.
2. Is there an example to follow?
A major portion of the Bible is written in story form—narrative and
bibliographical literature. The first 17 books of the Old Testament are
narrative; the first five of the New Testament are bibliographical and
narrative. These historical books contain the lives of real people who followed
God. Their godly lives are recorded as an example for us to follow (Romans
15:4). As we imitate their lives, their walks of faith reveal God’s
track to us.
Take Daniel, for example. As I read that this exiled prophet
placed a higher allegiance on obeying God than obeying government, his life
reveals God’s way to me for today. When I am confronted with a similar tension
between the earthly and the heavenly, I must choose to obey God, not
men. Always.
3. Is there a promise to claim?
As a father’s will governs the management of his vast estate, so too is the
Bible filled with promises from God to His children—to bless, to enrich, to
satisfy. God’s estate is a vast reservoir of spiritual riches able to meet all
the needs of our life. Charles Spurgeon once compared these divine promises to
blank checks issued by God to His children. Already signed by God, they are to
be cosigned by His children, brought to heaven’s treasury, and drawn against
the limitless wealth of heaven’s account.
For example, Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I
do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John
14:13). Just think about the large inheritance that Christ desires
to share with us. Of course, the key is praying in Jesus’ name—praying for
those things which honor and glorify His name.
4. Is there a sin to avoid?
The Bible holds up before us certain sins that must be avoided at all costs.
They are clearly out of bounds. For example, “This is the will of God, your
sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God’s will is always found
where sexual purity is maintained. This is a no-brainer. Any step toward
immorality is definitely out of bounds and off track.
5. Is there a principle to follow?
A principle in the Bible is a timeless truth tightly stated. It is a short,
pithy, practical statement of truth drawn from a passage and used to guide our
lives. Principles are broad statements of truth that universally apply to every
situation we face. For example, Joshua led the children of God in a march
around the city of Jericho, giving a shout of victory as they trusted God to
fight for them. The principle is that we should worship before we do anything
else. We should praise God in the face of the impossible and watch Him act on
our behalf.
Obviously, the better we know God’s Word, the better we will know
His will for us.
Originally posted by Steve Lawson at ChurchLeaders.com
Dr. Steven J. Lawson is senior pastor of Christ Fellowship
Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, and he is author of "The Unwavering
Resolve of Jonathan Edwards."
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