Scripture Fundamentals

Just how important is the Scripture and what are its benefits? Certainly every Christian should be able to answer this with much conviction. To fail to answer and without conviction is close to denying the faith of which we believe and practice. When God gave His Word, He had more in mind than simply a book to read filled with stories. His goal is to reveal Himself to humanity and to make life's experience rewarding. The Scripture contains all that we need to experience God and His Kingdom and at the conclusion of one's life eternal rest in heaven. As we consider the Scripture, the following are the fundamentals of Scripture and as we obey His Word the blessings of the kingdom are granted to us. The Scripture is first and foremost inspired by God. Men chosen by God were divinely inspired to record the words given to them.

1. Scripture makes us wise. To be wise is to be enlightened regarding divine things. The Holy Scripture can give us wisdom that leads to salvation. If we are to experience God's saving grace, we must embrace His Word. James tells us that the doers and not the hearers of the Word are justified before God. Consequently, the Scripture can change us but we must allow the change to take place. All that God has written in His Word for us and concerning us can come to past. However, our participation and cooperation are pre-requisite. 
2. Scripture reveals Christian doctrine. The doctrines are those things that we believe according to the Scripture. For example, we believe in the virgin birth, heaven and hell, the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit, etc. Our doctrines are not made up but come from God through His Word. The doctrines of Scripture must be taught so that we will believe. As believers we are called to protect the doctrines of the church. Satan has doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1) and they are the opposite of the doctrine of Scripture. 
3. Scripture exposes our rebellion. The word rebellion means to be opposition to one in authority. God is supreme authority. He loves and cares for us much more than we realize. When reading the Word, it will show us those areas in our lives that are in rebellion to God. Rebellion can result from simply a lack of faith that says, it's too hard or from a mindset that says no one is perfect. In either case it is opposition to God's requirements and commands. For some the word rebellion is too strong. Most of us would never see ourselves as being such. However, if God's Word says rebellion, then it is rebellion. His desire is to expose it so that it can be corrected. 
4. Scripture Corrects. Correction means to adjust to bring to some required standard. The beauty of the Word is we never have to guess about God's standards. They can be described in one word and that word is righteousness. Righteousness is the standard and requirement of the Kingdom of God. Correction concerns our mistakes. They are the things that we don't know about that when reading the Word we discover that we've been in error. When we recognize our mistake or error, we readily accept them as such and make the necessary changes to adjust. Remember an ungodly behavior should be replaced by a godly one. 
5. Training in Righteousness. Righteousness simply stated is right standing with God. It is speech and actions that are approved by God. Take note that we must be trained in righteousness. No one enters the world having already been trained. All of humanity is the posterity of the first Adam. Consequently, we are all born with a sin nature. Once we are born again, the training starts and continues until we leave this world. The original word for training meant instruction for children. Its purpose was to provide instruction with the intent of forming proper habits and behavior. God gave us His Word to shape our mind and behavior to reflect His righteousness. 

No matter the demands on our lives or what our schedules may be, we must find time to read the Word. The benefits are too great to neglect this most basic responsibility!

A Line Drawn in the Sand

    Recently President Barak Obama expressed his view on the controversial topic of "Same Sex Marriage." In case you've not heard, his position is that he supports same sex marriage. As we consider his position, it is more than a political matter that is being used to assist in securing his re-election. This issue has tremendous spiritual implications for our nation. As representatives of the Kingdom of God, where does the church stand regarding the matter? Are we divided? Are we to agree with the president or take a silent position in hopes that either God will do something or it will eventually go away? If we are waiting on God, then we have become unnecessary and have lost our significance. To take a righteous stand is not gay bashing as the world would have us to believe. Nor is it being judgmental. Both of these are efforts to stop the church from holding and bearing the truth. On the contrary, it is to agree with God's position on this agenda according to His Word. 

The Scripture is quite clear with regards to same sex marriage. God is explicit from creation to Paul's writings concerning the matter. In creation he made a man and a woman and gave them the mandate to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion. The city of Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of its degree of sin. One of the main ones was homosexuality. In the New Testament Paul says the following,

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due, Romans 1:26-27." 

"Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9." 

    These are convincing truths concerning God's position on same sex marriage. Are we to waiver in our convictions and allow the devil to still the future of our nation for the sake of attempting to make everyone comfortable? The truth is, God loves us all therefore he sent his son to die for our sins. In Him we can live comfortable. It is his way and his way only. It is a fact that neither two men or two women coming together in a sexual act can reproduce. Now someone may be thinking, what about artificial insemination. I believe that if this were allowed by God, he would have done something different in creation. Our God never aborts his creative purpose. This issue is not about a vote, an election, or the first black man to hole the office of president and get re-elected. This matter is about righteousness and unrighteousness. The Scripture says, "righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." On which side of the line do you stand? You cannot stand on both sides. Everyone must choose. It is better to be ridiculed for a righteous stand than to be popular with the masses. Jesus said, what is the profit of gaining the world and losing one's soul. 

    The church must stand on the rock of our foundation which is Christ. He will defend us, uphold us and reward us for taking a stand. So as we face controversial times rest in him, embrace his word, and share his love as the occasion comes.