The Bible – Page 8 – Word for the Soul

Select Believability

March 4, 2024February 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” Psalm 110:1 NLT

“Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” Matthew 22:45 NLT

A survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries in 2020 found that 52% of adults in the United States believe that Jesus is not God. Taking the results of that survey at face value, it mirrors 52% of U.S. adults do not believe in the Bible or have what I call ‘select believability.’ It is tragic to fall into the trap of considering certain portions of scripture as subject to debate or simply not true. I would hate to think John 3:16 or Romans 10:9, or even 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (NLT) would fall under select believability.

The very basis of our salvation is found in the truth of Jesus Christ being God. Yes, fully man and fully God. A perfect sacrifice was needed to redeem us from our sin and Jesus being only a man would not qualify. There needed to be perfect, sinless lamb to take away the sins of the world. (Jn. 1:29) Sadly, those who believe Jesus is not God have no hope of eternal salvation. Their hope lies in what they believe or disbelieve in scripture. It comes down to what makes the most sense and is logical. Jesus Himself assures us that he indeed is God.

Jesus was constantly being bombarded with questions from the Jewish rulers during His day. All their questions were to trap Him and disprove His claim of deity being the Messiah. Jesus finally got His chance to submit a question to them, which cleared up the whole matter and silence them once and for all. Jesus was able to do what the Jewish rulers could not do, He trapped them with their own words. They couldn’t answer accurately without acknowledging Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus asked them whose son is the Messiah. The answer was well-known by all Jewish people, the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus then quoted David’s prophecy in the book of Psalms, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” (110:1 NLT) Then He asked the rulers, “Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” (Mt. 22:45 NLT) If the rulers answered correctly, they would have said the Messiah is the divine son of God and existed before David from all eternity, but they could not. “No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mt. 22:46 NLT) Don’t fall in line with the 52% suffering from select believability when the truth is plain to see in scripture. Jesus is God!

Devotionals

Sacred Writings from God Himself

February 2, 2024February 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:13-15 NASB

There have been evil people, impostors and deceivers concerning spiritual matters for centuries. What is different today is the number of deceivers with their slick dialogue convincing even Christians that what is false is true, what is evil is good, and what is sin is a lifestyle. At the heart of this deception is the non-regard for “Biblical Infallibility”, the belief that the Bible is reliable and trustworthy. “To confess that the bible is infallible is to confess that the Scriptures are incapable of teaching any error. Taken in itself, this is a term that strongly presents the perfection of Scripture.” (1) Using today’s language we would say, “It is what it is.” There may be passages of scripture that we do not fully understand, subjects that make us uncomfortable, and certain commands we have a hard time following. However, it is God’s word, the Holy Scriptures from God Himself to us.

Paul, in writing to his young protégé Timothy, addressed the importance of referring to and remembering what God says in His Word in times of deception by evil men and imposters. Timothy was grounded in the scriptures from an early age by the influence of both his mother and grandmother. Paul encouraged Timothy when in doubt concerning spiritual things espoused by so-called preachers and teachers of the gospel to “continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them.” (2 Tim.3:14 NASB)

The same call goes out to us today to continue in the truth of God’s Word. As we read the Bible, let us never forget the author, who spoke what He spoke, meant what He meant, cannot be in error or change His mind, and is reliable and trustworthy. The Bible, the Word of God, is what it is, ‘sacred writings from God Himself.’

(1) https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/inspiration-infallibility-inerrancy/

Devotionals

Spiritual Malnutrition

January 27, 2024January 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV

Statistics as recently as 2019 note 8.9% of the world’s population 690 million people are undernourished. The same statistics list 10,000 children dying daily due to poor nutrition. Those statistics are difficult to accept in the modern world we live in, but nevertheless they are pretty accurate. Daily intake of food provides the nourishment we need to survive. The largest percentage of malnutrition in the world comes from underdeveloped Third World countries. Many government programs and humanitarian organizations worldwide are administering aid to these nations but much more needs to be done. Individual Christians and the local church need to step up in assisting with this great of malnutrition.

Just as lack of daily food causes malnutrition and death around the world over a period, lack of daily spiritual food (God’s Word) for the Christian results in spiritual malnutrition. Especially for the new believer it is vital to take in the spiritual milk of the Word. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Pt. 2:2 NIV) After spiritual milk of the Word as you grow in Christ it’s then time for solid food. As a newborn grows, they need the nourishment from solid foods for continued growth and survival. Sadly, many Christians stop feeding on the Bible after receiving the initial stages of spiritual milk stopping the growth process and becoming spiritually undernourished. The apostle Paul scolded the people in the church at Corinth for doing just that, “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” (1 Cor. 3:2 NLT)

Malnutrition in the world today is tragic and certainly does not need to be the case. Spiritual malnutrition is also avoidable with an estimated 5-7 billion copies of the Bible sold in over 2,000 languages, along with easy access through the internet today and apps on your cell phone. There is plenty of spiritual food available for every Christian. Spiritual growth is vital for every believer in Christ. Growing spiritually in Christ involves a daily diet of God’s Word, prayer, and gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ. Following this three-step approach will keep us from spiritual malnutrition and we will be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” (Jer. 15:16 NIV)

Read Hebrews 5:11-14, A Call to Spiritual Growth: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205%3A11-14&version=NLT

Bible Studies

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone)

December 31, 2023December 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” (Luther at Diet of Worms, 1521)

Over the next five weeks we will be addressing the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation. These are five Latin phrases from the Reformation period of the 16^th century. “Sola’ in Latin is the English word ‘only.’ The early reformers recognized a drift away from Scripture in the Catholic Church essential to the teaching of the gospel. The “Five Solas’ represent the very core of the Christian faith. They are as follows, Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice. Solus Christus: Christ in His person and work is the only Savior. Sola gratia: Only the sovereign grace of God accomplishes salvation. Sola fide: Faith is the only instrument by which we are untied to Christ and receive all His benefits. Soli Deo gloria: The purpose of salvation is to give all glory to God alone. We begin with ‘Sola Scriptura.’ Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.

The apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV) Since Scripture is breathed out by God, His words spoken to us, it stands to reason that His Word stands. It is the only one that counts. The Bible is the only authority for the church today and always has been. The Bible is verbally and divinely inspired. They are the very words of God. It is the highest authority possible for it comes from God Himself and is the only source of His voice to us today.

The Bible is sufficient for all we need in the way of Salvation and how we are to live. There are no rules to follow that supersede or add to the teaching of Scripture. Again, ‘Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.’ Church constitutions and rules of procedures are important but we must be careful not to add or subtract the truth of Scripture.

The reformers knew Christians often looked for God’s power in external things of the church rather than Scripture itself. It didn’t help that most church goers of the day didn’t have access to the Scriptures. The reformers task was to then restore confidence in the people of the church in the Word of God and with understanding that God’s power and truth was in His Word, and His Word alone.

The perspicuity, or clarity, of Scripture is affirmed by Scripture itself. God instructed Israel to teach their children His commandments. (Dt. 6:6-9) God gave us His Word for all to understand even the youngest among us. The Holy Spirit also guides us as he illuminates the words of Scripture to us in comprehending the truth of Salvation.

“Sola scriptura also fueled the translation of the Bible into German, French, English, and other languages, and prompted Bible teaching in the common languages of the day, rather than in Latin. In this way, the good news of Jesus Christ could be read by the ordinary people.” (Evangelical Alliance UK)

Devotionals

Worthless Things

November 30, 2023November 29, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:37 NLT

Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

Something of worth is defined as having a material value, especially in terms of money. Also something deserving of importance or merit is also considered valuable or worthy. Some things of worth range from jewelry, automobiles, real estate, furniture, fine china, and many others pieces of material worth, even money itself. Achievements such as receiving a college degree from a highly respectable university is very valuable when presented in the job market.

Worthless things would be the opposite of worthy things. Old rusted cars, run down property, broken china, worn down stained furniture, even the university degree if the holder devalued it by regrettable acts would now be useless. But even worthless things can be restored, just attend an antique automobile show, or visit an antique shop and you will see restoration. Real estate developers can turn unseemly property into luxurious residential areas, and many individuals have restored their reputation with the help of caring organizations.

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:37, “Turn my eyes from worthless things.” In this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist desires to be instructed in God’s laws. He asks God to help him to turn away from worthless things. Taking our definition of worthless things, it would seem quite easy to turn away from those things, unpleasant as they are. But that is not what the psalmist had in mind. He really wanted to turn away from the worthy things. In comparison to God’s Word even the things of worth are worthless. He writes, “…..give me life through your word.”(119:37b) His desire was to look upon things of the greatest value, the Word of God.

Having the proper perspective on who and what is worthy will go a long way in living our lives according to God’s Word. It will help us grow in our relationship with Him, and we will have a better understanding of what is of value and what is not. May we ask the Lord to turn our eyes from worthless things.

Read Psalm 119:33-40: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A33-40&version=NLT

Devotionals

Live Life to the Fullest

November 22, 2023November 21, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:11-14 NIV

I haven’t come across many people who do not desire the good things in life. The good things of life may differ between individuals and between cultures, what is good for you may not be good for me and vice versa. But each of us desires to live life to the fullest in our cultural surroundings wherever they may be. Struggling to get the most out of life; good health, financial success, close friends, family, satisfying employment, plenty of leisure time, and other deeming qualities of a good life come up short many times. But does coming up short disqualify us from the good things in life? Is there anything we can do to prevent missing out on these good things?

King David gives us a couple of suggestions in helping us live the good life. His advice is based on having the right character qualities. One whose character is free from slander, speaking falsely, participating in shady things, or causing trouble goes a long way in having a good life. David writes, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Ps. 34:12-14 NIV)

We think we are not that bad saying, ‘I don’t tell any white lies or make up stories to hurt someone, and I certainly don’t gossip!’ We also say, ‘I am not an evil person’ and that may be true in comparison with others, but God looks at all sin as evil. And when we say we should all live in peace and love one another, are we truly pursing it as we pursue trying to live our lives to the fullest?

None of us is able to live life to the fullest on our own. God has given us His Word to show us how to live a fulfilled life by obeying it. And more importantly, God sent His Son to save us and reconcile us to God. Therefore it is impossible to live a totally fulfilled life without Christ. Jesus says, “….. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Jn. 10:10b NIV)