Wow! It's been nearly a month since my last post. Time goes by way too quickly, especially when you are busy and it seems that so much is happening at one time. Self discipline has never been one of my strong points. For my own sake, I need to try to be more consistent about my posts.
Speaking of the swift march of time, my nephew, Gentry, graduated from high school last Saturday night. I am so proud of all my nephews and nieces on both sides of the family. They are truly wonderful people; and I have precious memories of each and every one of them. Memories I hold dear to my heart. My nieces and nephews make being an aunt a grand and joyful experience!
As for Gentry - well, it seems only a few weeks ago a 3 year old little boy ran across my parents' backyard and into my arms for a big hug. That's only one of the special memories I have of him. I also remember the year he started kindergarten. We were all together for the Thanksgiving weekend, and I asked him what he had learned in school so far. Without hesitation, he smiled brightly, looked up at me with those beautiful dark brown eyes of his and said, "The rules." His answer made me smile too.
I suppose learning the rules and how to abide by them is pretty important for success in kindergarten. Perhaps for many, our first set of "official rules" are given to us when we start school or pre school. Here is where we begin to understand our behavior has an effect on others. Sharing and taking turns, keeping our hands to ourselves, not talking when it's time to be quiet, paying attention to the teacher and following instructions are all learned behaviors. Each of these is vital to a successful classroom situation.
Every teacher has their own set of rules. Most of them are the same, but some may vary from teacher to teacher. In order to get by in this world, there are rules to follow in every phase of our lives. We learn to abide by rules in our classrooms, guidelines in our workplace and laws from our governments.
Some governmental laws encroach upon the citizens' individual rights. Certain rules of society can go too far ... sometimes they may border on the nonsensical with not even a hint of common sense anywhere in sight. Remember Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because so many of their restrictions and traditions placed upon the people had become burdensome?
Honestly, the most important rules are the ones we learn from the Good Book - the Bible. Although most people don't like to admit it, all truly good rules are Biblically based. To put it another way, if the whole world (individually) could learn to treat others the way they themselves wish to be treated -- then the world would be a better place! There is a reason that Matthew 6:12 is called "the Golden Rule."
I understand there is no way we can work our way to heaven. We are saved by God's grace. He loved us so much that He offered a perfect sacrifice for our sins. It is only when we are washed in the precious blood of Jesus that we begin to have hope of eternal life. We don't earn our salvation by our works --but we do earn our salvation through obedience to His Son. It is dangerous for us to ignore this fact.
Many claim to love Christ and say they want to be in heaven with Him and yet refuse to learn of Him and keep His commandments. The way we find out what these rules are is through the Bible. It is inspired of God and is our guidebook for life. We can't do what Christ tells us if we don't know what that is. We can't know what that is unless we read and study the Bible. Then we must take what we learn seriously.
We are familiar with many of the following scriptures, but it is good to review from time to time. Consider these words from the Bible:
II Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (ASV)
In these verses Paul tells us it is scripture that teaches us and trains us in righteousness. As the we study and allow ourselves to be trained by God's word -- then we become complete -- furnished and ready for every good work. We learn here that the words of the Bible are truly inspired (other translations say "God-breathed"). In order to learn to "of God" we are to go His word. Then we are ready to do the good works He would have us do.
Jesus told us back in John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Do we love Jesus? Is it the kind of love that is obedient to His word? Do we care enough to find out what those commandments are? Or do we simply trust the preacher and our Sunday school teachers without trying to find out ourselves what the scriptures tell us?
Paul says in II Timothy 2:15 - "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (ASV) The King James version says to "Study to show thyself approved." If we are diligent to present ourselves approved to God -- well, naturally that means we are going to study it well enough to "handle aright the word of truth." Right?
Go back to the gospel of John. In chapter 15:14 - Jesus tells his disciples: "You are my friends if you do the things I command you." How do we find out what it is that Jesus commands us? Well, again (and yes, I am repeating myself, but I feel this is a very important point) -- we can only do what Christ commands if we know His commandments are. We can only know what His commands are if we are willing to put forth the effort to study God's word.
II Timothy 2:15 says "thyself" -- that is very personal. Timothy had been taught from his youth by his grandmother and his mother. He already knew the scriptures, right? Well, sure - I have no doubt that Timothy did know a lot about God's word. Yet, Paul still tells Timothy that he is the one who must study and handle God's word correctly. If we seek to be approved by God -- we must know the Word.
We must furnish ourselves and be prepared for every good work which He commands us to do.
God's word is important. The Bible contains the word of Truth. It is here we learn God's rules. It is here we learn how to be a friend to Jesus. Following the rules of society will help us get along in this world. Following the rules of the Bible will get us into heaven after this world.
We would do well to learn from the apostle Peter, who loved his Master and his Savior:
Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have
believed and know that thou are the Holy One of
God. (John 6:68-69 ASV)
Think about it. Indeed, to whom shall we go?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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