Colossions 2: 8 - 9 NKJV
On e thing I've learned from my years in my faith is that there is no instruction book to living a life in Christ Jesus. Now, Imight get some push back from those who will argue that the bible and scriptures are indeed our guide to living a godly life. I disagree. For I do not see the scriptures as a guide, but as the story which begins and ends with Christ. As Christ was there in the begining verses of Genesis {John 1:2-4}. So we see Him at the end in the book of Revelation as well {Revelation 22:12}. Through the scriptures we see the complete story of Christ Jesus, from the early prophesy of His birth {Isaiah 7:14} to His death and resurection {Luke 24:5-7}. However, there are still many a christian who see the bible as the Lords instruction book for our life following Him. I get it. But wait, what if we were never intended to "follow" God? Whoa, what a concept. For instead of following God through our life, what if we were created to walk IN Him? Like I said, I expect more than a bit of push back from those who are set in their own ways of following the scriptures. Now, a freind of mine has given a challange from time to time that the scriptures are never refered to as "Gods word" in the bible. I've never personally taken the time to research this, but I trust his judgement so I'll go out on a limb and agree with him. So, if the scriptures we have been taught to read are not Gods word...what are they? Like I said, they are Gods story of the coming, life, death and resurection of His Son. If you think about it, you can really see that this is true.
3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7“saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”8And they remembered His words.
Luke 24: 3 - 8 NKJV
Like many christians, I was taught to see the bible as Gods spoken word. Not only that, I was taught to scan over its verses for guidance in every area of my life. Now, I'll admit that there are indeed scriptures which may apply to the many different situations which we may encounter in life, but a guide to the christian life? I'm not buying what you're selling. Yet this is the prevailing teaching in most institutional houses of worship. So, if the scriptures are Gods word, why didn't He write them? I'm sure He was able to. The truth is that the scriptures we have held so close to our hearts have been written, translated and paraphrased by men. There isn't a single verse that has been written that hasn't had mans perspectives written into it. That's just the truth about our scriptures. Of course, these verses were given by God in most cases, but the story of Christ has also been penned by those who were there and knew Him. If not for the apostle Paul we may never know of the trutrh of Jesus. Paul never met Jesus, and yet he became one of His most ardent supporters. How did Paul come to the knowledge that it is Christ who lives through us {Galations 2:20}? Well, it most certainly happened after His Damascus road experience and after his return to Jerusalem. So, are the scriptures truly a guide to good living? As I've said, I don't believe so. What I do believe is that Christ who is in us is more of a model for us to live by than anything we might find in scripture. Through Christ Jesus we are able to walk day by day with our creator. This is the close, personal relationship we have with Him when we come to the realization that He lives through us. The scriptures tell of relationship with Jesus {John 17:23} but it is we who fully realize the potential of our relationship in Him. I can quote you scriptures all day long but you might never come to know Jesus. It is by our heavenly Fathers revelation that we come to see the truth of Christ and our life in Him. However, it is true that the scriptures are indeed the greatest story ever told.
~Scott~
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