The Bible in 1,2,3

The Bible is not as complicated as some may think. Digging deep into the scriptures and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit (which was promised) is sometimes all it takes, not withstanding the fact that sometimes you'll need further explanation from others.

The plan of salvation was explained to me by a dear friend of mine and I found it to not only be accurate but also very simple. The first three chapters of the bible shows us how sin entered the world (Genesis 1-3) and the last three chapters of the bible illustrates how God will finally expunge the world of sin (Revelations 20-22). What happens in between those chapters is how God plans to save us. Pretty straightforward right? But, you will have to make that decision to follow Him, repent of your sins and be baptized. You have to accept the free gift of salvation from the Almighty One. He sent his son to die for you and for me. "For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NKJV). Friends, God's primary focus is to save us "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10 NKJV). Jesus loves us and wants to save us. He said "Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you" (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV).

The central theme of the bible is LOVE. And it's not any kind of love, it's agape. It is a Greek word for love. Agape "is not a feeling; it's motivation for actions that we are free to choose or reject. Agape is sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return" (compellingtruth.org). Jesus demonstrated this love when He died for us. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13 NKJV). This love, no ordinary person can give to us, we just have to try and emulate His spotless and blameless character of Christ.

Let's also be clear on this one. We are sinners because of the one sin our first parents committed. We ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NKJV) yet Christ loves us still. There is not one perfect man to be found and there was none in the Bible either. As a matter of fact, God has always used lowly men to carry out His mission. David wasn't perfect (he committed adultery), Saul who was later called Paul wasn't perfect either (he persecuted Christians), neither was Moses (he disobeyed God hence he didn't make it into the Promised Land). They were imperfect and God used them still. They repented of their sins and God forgave them just as how we are required to repent of ours and we will be forgiven too. The Bible is a guide for living. Everything presented in the canon is to either bless/correct/encourage us to live a righteous life.

Lastly, the Bible cannot contradict itself despite that popular belief by some folks, "God is not a man, that He should lie" (Numbers 23:19 NKJV). Use scripture to prove scripture. For everything discussed in the Bible, there should be at least 3 verses to corroborate your claim.

Dig deep into the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you along the way.

Arise! Shine! Jesus is Coming!

 

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