One of the songs I learned growing up in Sunday school was “The BIBLE.” It goes like this: “The BIBLE, yes that’s the Book for me. I stand upon the Word of God, the BIBLE.” When we sang the word “BIBLE,” we would spell it out. It was great fun.
The Psalmist had much to say about the Bible. In Psalm 138:2b he wrote, “thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” A few years later, Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Is the Bible relevant in your life?
That may seem like an irrelevant question to you. I ask the question not to be offensive but to cause some thought to transpire.
Sometime in the previous millennium, I had an individual ask for some advice. The case was presented and my response was anticipated. My first question was, “What does the Bible say about this?”
The response I got was a little discomfiting, “Bro. Sirstad, I am being serious!”
In other words, the Bible has its place but I need an answer right now.
Periodically, when I pastored, a lady would come up after service and ask this question: “Does the Bible still mean what it used to mean.” This was somebody needing reassurance. Many of her friends had previously left and kept letting her know, the Bible doesn’t mean what it used to. Times have changed. Its time you change to.
I have watched people walk away from principles once held dear. I have listened to folks struggle with certain teachings and gloss over them like they were not even there. Or, that they only apply to others. This always makes me nervous.
I have found myself tempted to do some of the same in times past, looking for a way around the teaching of the Scripture.
One of the Psalmists many children was given great wisdom from God. In Proverbs 3:5-6 Solomon writes, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Regardless of where we sit in a church congregation, the pew or the platform, it is important to obey these words. Solomon got off track and if we are not careful, so can we.
Our thoughts can be deceptive. Our feelings can be deceptive. However, the BIBLE contains the Truth that has and will continue to last through the ages.
In our lives, in our relationships, lets keep the BIBLE relevant.
It will be worth it all!
2 Comments
Leave a Comment
You might also like these articles...
Silent But Deadly!
I find it somewhat surprising and definitely disconcerting that many of us, as Apostolics, struggle with a basic tenet of Scripture. As much as God has forgiven us of, as much as He has extended His grace toward us, many of us, preacher and saint, struggle with forgiving. We propagate the necessity of forgiving others…
Recognizing Suicide
I want to talk to you about recognizing suicide in your world. In 2015, over 44,000 individuals took their own life in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America. Between the ages of 15-34, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death. In Oregon, one person dies by suicide…
Oxymoronic Paradoxical Statements
Huh? What in the world is an oxymoronic paradoxical statement? This might be the first time anyone has ever asked this question in the history of the world. Not, “Huh?” The other one. Paul made more than one oxymoronic paradoxical statement. However, one is found in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am…
Very good, Dr. Sirstad!
Thank you for this post. Our thoughts and feelings can be deceptive. The pressure from friends and family to be modern and change with the times can be crushing, cruel and dominating if we allow it to be. I appreciate your words of wisdom, and agree that the Bible has the Truth – it is the will of God – and it will last forever. God bless.