Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #40 |
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JESUS calls US to be |
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The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
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I've noticed that whenever Kyle Gardner writes,
it's worth reading. On 7/23/97 he wrote --There are two ways 'good things' happen to us.One of them is a sure thing. We call it a guarantee.The other is occasional. We sometimes call that one 'luck.' 'Luck' is something that might or might not happen (and probably won't). Let me illustrate:
She just happened to be outside when the mail carrier came by. They exchanged small talk. As she was handed the mail, she asked, "Is there anything good here?"
She heard, "I have good news and bad news for you." Asking for the good news first, she was told, "I'm delivering the notice that YOU have qualified as a sweepstakes finalist! The bad news is that the same notice is going to everyone else on the block also!" It, the good news, might happen or it might not.
Not all good things are like sweepstake notices in our generation. Paul said that, "in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love him."
Most of us have had enough 'good luck' to go along with some of what he says. But isn't the use of ALL a little much? And when he says that it's for the good isn't he just playing spin doctor?
Do you suppose that Paul really meant us to draw strength from such a (general) promise? Apparently he DID mean for the Romans (to whom he wrote) to do so. They really did need something to hang on to. Before and after the promise of good, Paul speaks of persecution, suffering, and bewilderment. He really did mean that, with hopeful expectation of GOOD, disciples of Christ were to endure whatever came.
One of the hardest things to do is to believe in guarantees. Particularly so when things don't look to us as if they'll turn out well. But it is true. It's true by decree of a God who can't lie. My fear is that I, and the family of faith I know best, will never put God's promise to work. It's all too easy to treat is like an aspirin, asking (expecting?) only that our discomfort will for a brief time be dulled.
But God does not deal in simple anesthetics!
He pushes toward a cure. By faith we can receive that cure. Remember, all GOOD and perfect gifts are his to give. It's a sure thing (a guarantee)!
Brief Bible Study #40 from Ray Downen. To go back to Viewpoint's first page, click < here. Or here to go on to Viewpoint Study 41. For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.
