In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God
Published on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 by BY LISA FINLEY | CONTRIBUTING WRITERRead More Religion & Spiritual
The Old Testament is the first written covenant God had with mankind. The ancient Israelites were essentially a primitive people, and of course the laws God gave them are different from the laws of the Bible we have today... in the New Testament.
The New Testament is a “new covenant” with God, and yes it hinges on Jesus Christ. But we absolutely need to be aware and obey the commandments of God... but it’s not what saves us ... only our faith in Christ saves us.
In the Old Testament, God wanted obedience from the Israelites so he likely set rules to obey based on their daily lives. If God was truly concerned about pork, he wouldn’t have changed these rules in the New Testament. God doesn’t care about pork— he just wants a people to trust and obey him—ultimately out of love.
We want to ensure that people understand that the Bible is God’s word written by men as lead by the Holy Spirit, which we’re told in scriptures and not see the Bible only as a collection of writings likely flawed and distorted in places.
If we see the Bible as such the story of Noah becomes a fable, a literal seven day creation is rejected as far fetched and beyond God’s ability, and the idea that a fallen angel called Satan is the god of this world, and commands demons that lie and deceive people, leading them away to their own destruction is also a fable. But it’s not a fable. It’s the truth.
Many New Testament passages warn us to beware of the false teachings that will take place in the world in the last days. In fact, when so many Christians easily embrace these false teachings we can view this as a sign that the world is in the last days.
A careful study of Revelation reveals that the state of God’s churches early in the end times is one of the reasons he brings “end times” wrath on the world.
Let’s talk about the current state of things right now. I believe the United States of America is on borrowed time.
We have more people who call themselves Christians than any other nation on earth, and yet so many of our people are deceived about the faith, and living wicked lives and “false faiths” that are only going to bring the wrath of God... a promise in Revelation... not a theory.
But do these warnings apply to modern day nations like America, or to future nations of would-be Christians?
Considering the current state of the world, growing rage and unease in the Middle East in regards to Islam and the nation of Israel, we are probably talking specifically about America and other nations today.
One more warning from the early pages of Revelation is to God’s churches to “Wake up, and repent!”
Many in our churches (and church leaders) are asleep. How will those asleep respond to these warnings in Revelation? Well, they’re not reading Revelation to begin with, nor are they “taking it to heart” as they are advised in Chapter 1, and again in the last chapter, 22. So how can they even hear the call to “Wake up and repent!” Jesus said in Luke 21:34-36, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
We can get the Bible wrong when it’s not the Holy Spirit interpreting it for us, and leading us in our understanding, sometimes it can be the devil. Just look at a passage from the life of Jesus in the early verses of Luke 4.
In this event known as the “temptation of Christ” the devil uses scripture in an attempt to bait Jesus. But Jesus knows the devil’s game, and doesn’t fall for it. Each time the devil uses scripture, Jesus responds with scripture to rebuke the devil, and correct the devil where he is misusing God’s Word.
That is an example for us, and why it’s important to read and study God’s Word. When the Holy Spirit is truly in our life, this is something that God leads believers in naturally.
If a person isn’t being lead to study the Word, and trust the Word, this person should be fearful… fearful of God. Fearful that they have never embraced true faith and received the Holy Spirit. Then let that healthy fear of God lead them to a true love for the things of God, Jesus, and His Word.
In John 1:1, we’re told: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then, just a few verses down, the Bible says in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The New Testament is a “new covenant” with God, and yes it hinges on Jesus Christ. But we absolutely need to be aware and obey the commandments of God... but it’s not what saves us ... only our faith in Christ saves us.
In the Old Testament, God wanted obedience from the Israelites so he likely set rules to obey based on their daily lives. If God was truly concerned about pork, he wouldn’t have changed these rules in the New Testament. God doesn’t care about pork— he just wants a people to trust and obey him—ultimately out of love.
We want to ensure that people understand that the Bible is God’s word written by men as lead by the Holy Spirit, which we’re told in scriptures and not see the Bible only as a collection of writings likely flawed and distorted in places.
If we see the Bible as such the story of Noah becomes a fable, a literal seven day creation is rejected as far fetched and beyond God’s ability, and the idea that a fallen angel called Satan is the god of this world, and commands demons that lie and deceive people, leading them away to their own destruction is also a fable. But it’s not a fable. It’s the truth.
Many New Testament passages warn us to beware of the false teachings that will take place in the world in the last days. In fact, when so many Christians easily embrace these false teachings we can view this as a sign that the world is in the last days.
A careful study of Revelation reveals that the state of God’s churches early in the end times is one of the reasons he brings “end times” wrath on the world.
Let’s talk about the current state of things right now. I believe the United States of America is on borrowed time.
We have more people who call themselves Christians than any other nation on earth, and yet so many of our people are deceived about the faith, and living wicked lives and “false faiths” that are only going to bring the wrath of God... a promise in Revelation... not a theory.
But do these warnings apply to modern day nations like America, or to future nations of would-be Christians?
Considering the current state of the world, growing rage and unease in the Middle East in regards to Islam and the nation of Israel, we are probably talking specifically about America and other nations today.
One more warning from the early pages of Revelation is to God’s churches to “Wake up, and repent!”
Many in our churches (and church leaders) are asleep. How will those asleep respond to these warnings in Revelation? Well, they’re not reading Revelation to begin with, nor are they “taking it to heart” as they are advised in Chapter 1, and again in the last chapter, 22. So how can they even hear the call to “Wake up and repent!” Jesus said in Luke 21:34-36, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
We can get the Bible wrong when it’s not the Holy Spirit interpreting it for us, and leading us in our understanding, sometimes it can be the devil. Just look at a passage from the life of Jesus in the early verses of Luke 4.
In this event known as the “temptation of Christ” the devil uses scripture in an attempt to bait Jesus. But Jesus knows the devil’s game, and doesn’t fall for it. Each time the devil uses scripture, Jesus responds with scripture to rebuke the devil, and correct the devil where he is misusing God’s Word.
That is an example for us, and why it’s important to read and study God’s Word. When the Holy Spirit is truly in our life, this is something that God leads believers in naturally.
If a person isn’t being lead to study the Word, and trust the Word, this person should be fearful… fearful of God. Fearful that they have never embraced true faith and received the Holy Spirit. Then let that healthy fear of God lead them to a true love for the things of God, Jesus, and His Word.
In John 1:1, we’re told: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then, just a few verses down, the Bible says in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
