Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 7

7. Are the Holy Scriptures reliable?

The Holy Scriptures are true in that all that they teach, infallable and inerrant because they are inspired by God.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:96 (NIV)

96 To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.

Psalm 119:138 (NIV)

138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.

Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

John 10:35 (NIV)

35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 6

6. What are the Holy Scriptures?

The Holy Scriptures are the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by the Holy Spirit through prophets and apostles.

 

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 5

5. How can you know the truth about God and His work?

I know God and His work clearly and savingly by the written revelation of God, the Holy Scriptures.

Psalm 119:105New International Version (NIV)

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 4

Why is knowing God difficult?
It is difficult to know God because I am a sinner, born guilty and corrupt, and living out the selfishness of my nature in rebellion against God & His Holy law.

Romans 1:18-21 (NIV)
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses

God required the Israelites to learn the Song of Moses in anticipation of their future apostasy in the Promised Land.

God knew that, despite His blessings, Israel would turn their backs on Him and follow other gods, bringing divine judgment. When that happened, the song they had learned generations previous would “be a witness . . . against them. . . . When many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them” (Deuteronomy 31:19,21).

The Song of Moses had both a prophetic purpose (it predicted the nation’s falling away) and a didactic purpose (it taught the faithfulness of God and the consequences of sin).

The song begins with a universal call to listen, followed by praise of the just, faithful, and upright God (Deuteronomy 32:1–4). In contrast to God’s faithfulness is Israel’s unfaithfulness (verses 5–6).

The song proceeds to recite the history of Israel from their time of bondage in Egypt, through their wilderness wanderings, to their established place in the Promised Land (verses 7–14).

The Song of Moses then becomes prophetic: Israel’s future ingratitude and idolatry are predicted, as are the judgments of God for their sin (verses 15–31).

Then God promises to avenge Israel against their (and His) enemies, showing compassion on His people (verses 32–42).

The song ends on a joyful note, as God’s punishment is past, righteousness is restored, and the land of Israel cleansed (verse 43).

A major theme of the Song of Moses is God’s faithfulness. He is called “the Rock” four times in the song (Deuteronomy 32:15,18, 30–31). Even as God’s people are chasing whims and trusting feeble gods, God remains their steadfast, unchanging Source of Salvation.

The last words of the Song of Moses are a promise that God will “make atonement for his land and people” (Deuteronomy 32:43). This is a significant promise, because the atonement for God’s people is none other than the sacrifice of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20).

5 Reasons Why God Allows Suffering in Believers' Lives

Read the following which i have shortened as a useful reminder when I face obstacles and trials ....

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It's true that sometimes things seem hopeless, even to believers, but the Bible offers clarity and perspective as well as tells us the purposes and reasons for the trials in our life.

If you want to be a growing Christian, you should read, study and love God's Word; you need to have a prayer life; and you must be actively involved in the church.

"Why Does God Allow Trials in the Life of the Believer?"

James 1:2-4, which says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

5 Reasons:

1.  God allows trials in our lives so that we will grow up spiritually.

It is like going to the gym, although I don't like to workout, it strengthens me and makes me grow physically. It is also true in our spiritual lives as well, "Trials are God's gym where you're broken down to be built up. … You won't like it, but you will like the results."

2. Even when things look bleak, all things work together for God's glory and your good

Genesis 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

God allows us to be tested, but never more than what we can handle, because even the devil can sometimes serve the purposes of God.

A believer will emerge stronger after the trials, unlike non-believers, who may turn away for God. "Trials can determine if you're really a Christian," 

3. God's ultimate purpose for us is that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters,"  (Romans 8:28, 29).

The benefits of certain trials we are going through cannot be discovered until we go to Heaven. "Just know that God is at work."

We need perseverance to thrust God.

4. Suffering can bring glory to God.

We can glorify God by remaining faithful to Him and continuing to trust Him despite difficulties and trials.

There are also times when God is glorified through His intervention. God still does miracles today.

5. Suffering can be used by God to prepare us for a special task

 "When you've gone through something in life, and have survived it, you can be a great comfort to someone who's going through it."

Beyond Sunday: The Potter and the Clay

Read this extract .....

Focus Verse of the Week

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:21)

Commentary

If we examine the right that God has over us, in a more general way, with regard to his intelligent creatures, we may consider God in two different ways: as Creator and Lord of all, or as moral Governor and Judge.

a) God, as sovereign Lord of all, distributes his gifts or favors to his creatures with perfect wisdom, but by no rules or methods that we understand—the time when we shall exist, the country where we shall live, our parents, the make up of our body and turn of our mind. These, and numberless other circumstances, are no doubt ordered with perfect wisdom, but by rules that lie beyond our comprehension.

b) But God's methods of dealing with us, as our Governor and Judge, are dearly revealed and perfectly known. Namely, that he will finally reward every man according to his works: "He that believes shall be saved, and he that does not believet shall be condemned."

Therefore, though "God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden," they become hardened in consequence of their obstinate wickedness. Yet his is not the will of an arbitrary, capricious, or tyrannical being. He wills nothing but what is infinitely wise and good, and therefore his will is a most proper rule of judgment. He will show mercy, as he has assured us, to none but true believers, nor harden any but those who obstinately refuse his mercy (Jeremiah 18:6–7).

(Adapted from John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

A Thought to Keep
Our great God has planned the details of our lives according to His perfect wisdom. Walk in faith knowing that He is both in control... and full of unfailing mercy.