Why should we know God's Word?

In our day and age where anti-intellectualism runs rampant in the visible church, it is not surprising to see poll after poll verify what students of scripture have known for many years. The visible church does not know much about the scriptures they profess to believe in. This is sad considering many saints during the Reformation period lost their lives for the sake of being able to read and study God's word. Not to mention the many passages in scripture that speak as such:

Isaiah 66:2 This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

The posts on this blog will address essential Biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. You can find much of the background for the posts here. My prayer for these posts is that the people who read them will be encouraged to open their Bibles and not just read a verse or two, but learn them and indeed, be transformed by them. As Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17). This is my prayer as well.

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Resurrection thoughts

Here are some thoughts on the resurrection taken from the scriptures. They are divided into 3 sets: the first may be considered an apologetic for Christianity, the second for unbelievers though believers can rejoice in them, and the third are specifically for believers. If you visit this blog and truly trust in Christ alone for your salvation, I'd encourage you to read them all, but especially the promises made to believers and be in awe of what Christ has accomplished.

Jesus Christ physically rose again therefore…
Jesus is proven to be the Son of God (Rom 1:4).
Jesus is preeminent over all things (Col 1:18)
Jesus will return again to judge the living & the dead (Acts 1:11, 17:31; 1 Peter 4:3-5)
Jesus’ words are shown to be fully trustworthy, also proving the truthfulness of the OT & NT scriptures since He testified to the former & promised the Holy Spirit to inspire the latter..

Jesus Christ physically rose again therefore ANYONE who believes in Him (entrust your life to Him in repentance & faith) He promises forgiveness of all your sins (Acts 5:30-31) & a perfect standing before a holy & just God (Rom 4:24-25; 10:9-11; 1 Peter 3:18). This resurrection promise requires you to repudiate ALL your good works, your so-called goodness & anything else you can pretty much think of that makes you think God will accept you into heaven. There’s nothing you can do except turn from all manner of works & trust only in Jesus Christ. If you trust in Christ alone, then you can claim the blessed promises the resurrection gives to believers: Eternal life, forgiveness of all sins, righteous standing before God, the Holy Spirit, joy in the Lord.

Specifically for those who truly & wholly believe in Christ: because Christ physically rose again...
We have the assurance of no condemnation (Romans 8:34)
We have an anchor for our faith & hope in God (1 Peter 1:20-21)
We are granted new life through our union with Christ (Romans 6:4-5)
We have the Helper, the Holy Spirit dwelling within (John 14:16-18)
We are given new life so we will bear fruit for God (Romans 7:4-6 & 8:11)
We have an eternal dwelling in glory (John 14:3).
Death has been forever defeated. Though we die, we WILL rise again to live eternally with Him (1 Thess 4:14; John 11:25-26, 1 Cor 15:53-55).
We will receive new & glorious bodies in the final resurrection (1 Cor 15:42-50).
We will forever sing of our risen Saviour, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power & wealth & wisdom & might & honor & glory & blessing!” (Rev 5:12, 22:3-5).

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:57-58)
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