Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 09 Inspired NOT Expired???
I have a word for today that I pray will speak to hearts and help each of us take confidence in God’s Word—our Lode Star—it IS God’s standard!!!
“Heaven and earth
shall pass away,
but my words
shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35
The Psalmist rehearses the import of The Word of God, and we can take great comfort and encouragement in the faithfulness of our God and HIS Word!
“For the word of the LORD
is right;
and all his works
are done in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness
and judgment:
the earth is full of the goodness
of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD
were the heavens made;
and all the host of them
by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33:4-6
God is creator and Jesus, The Son, was the conduit of HIS creation—for HE is also creator.
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image
of the invisible God,
the firstborn
of every creature:
16 For by him
were all things created,
that are in heaven,
and that are in earth,
visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones,
or dominions,
or principalities,
or powers:
all things were created by him,
and for him:
17 And he is before
all things,
and by him
all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17
ALL THINGS! Did you get it? Paul reminds us that “all things were created by him, and for him”! And who is “HIM”? John answers that question for us—and helps us understand that Jesus is the Living WORD, as well as the essence of the Written Word of GOD.
“In the beginning
was the Word,
and the Word was
with God,
and the Word
was God.
2 The same was in the beginning
with God.
3 All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made
that was made.
4 In him was life;
and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light
shineth in darkness;
and the darkness
comprehended it not…
….. 14 And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5 & 14
The question is, “What will we do with The Word?”; both the written Word and The Living Word–JESUS? God tells us through the Apostle Paul how we ought to use HIS Word!
“Study to shew thyself approved ‘
unto God,
a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing
the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“All scripture is given
by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God
may be perfect,
throughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
In line with our title, the thing we have to consider is whether we accept The Word of God as “inspired” or “expired”? So many today disregard God’s Word, call it irrelevant, outdated or not applicable to our lives today. Yet God’s Word, as Jesus said, will not pass away; and while Jesus fulfilled much of the law and prophets, especially those regarding HIS first coming, HE will also bring all of the remaining prophecies to fulfillment with HIS return. While all these things are important—they are part of HIS Word—it all boils down to what YOU have done/are doing with God’s Word—both His written Word and HIS crucified, buried, risen and ascended Son, Jesus. And the message is clear, The Word is what we need to know “what we believe”; “what is wrong”; “how to correct the wrong”; and “how to walk right and prevent the wrong”! Paul also gives us instruction to help us live out what we have received from Jesus—the NEW Birth!
“He was
in the world,
and the world was made
by him,
and the world
knew him not.
11 He came unto his own,
and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him,
to them gave he power
to become the sons of God,
even to them
that believe on his name:
13 Which were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.” John 1:10-13
Another of Paul’s words to help you and me.
“Wherefore, my beloved,
as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation
with fear
and trembling.
13 For it is God
which worketh in you
both to will
and to do
of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things
without murmurings
and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,
the sons of God,
without rebuke,
in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine
as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:12-15
What are you “working out”? The salvation that God has offered to you. Or the worldliness that pervades us on every hand? Jesus, The Lamb of God, is not only our Lord but HE left us such an amazing example. Now don’t misunderstand—HE came to be our sacrifice, not just “an example”; but in HIS coming HE left us the greatest example of all. But notice the context—the context is about suffering for Jesus.
“For this is thankworthy,
if a man for conscience toward God
endure grief,
suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it,
if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
ye shall take it patiently?
but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,
ye take it patiently,
this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again;
when he suffered,
he threatened not;
but committed himself
to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self
bare our sins
in his own body on the tree,
that we,
being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep
going astray;
but are now returned
unto the Shepherd
and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:19-25
If you don’t know HIM, you can; He gave HIMSELF for your salvation. Won’t you trust to His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine. He’s still calling men, women, boys and girls to HIS cross. He died for YOU! It’s what HIS Word reveals throughout the pages of all scripture. You can receive His “inspired” Word of truth or you can reject it as an “expired” myth and pay for your own sin.
“For when we were yet without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man
will one die:
yet peradventure for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
9 Much more then,
being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath
through him.
10 For if,
when we were enemies,
we were reconciled
to God
by the death of his Son,
much more,
being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so,
but we also joy in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom we have now received
the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11
Will you answer HIS call upon your heart? The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.
“Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice,
and open the door,
I will come in to him,
and will sup with him,
and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
The test:
“And I saw a great white throne,
and him that sat on it,
from whose face
the earth
and the heaven fled away;
and there was found no place
for them.
12 And I saw the dead,
small and great,
stand before God;
and the books were opened:
and another book was opened,
which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written
in the books,
according to their works…
…. 15 And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-12 & 15
I pray that you will receive the “inspired” Word of God—Jesus—the conduit of the written Word and the Living Word Himself, who laid down His life for you and me!
“Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life
for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16
“He that believeth on him
is not condemned:
but he that believeth not
is condemned already,
because he hath not believed
in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.” John 3:18
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 