The B.I.B.L.E. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

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Indeed, everything the Bible teaches, whether theological or practical, and everywhere it teaches, whether historical or poetical or applicational or prophetic, is meant to draw us closer to Christ, seeing him with more clarity and loving him with more of our affections. The Bible is about Jesus. The Primary Message of the Bible Is That the Work Is Already Done If the Bible is our Basic instructions before leaving earth, providing a framework/foundation for daily living, what serves as the filling/body of that basic framework/foundation? If we have not one, we have not any. It is this fruit of the Holy Spirit that is living proof of our transformation and the substance in between the B.I.B.L.E that we should read and study each day. Perhaps we need to see how versatile and resilient the gospel is, how much deeper and more powerful than the dos and don'ts this message is. Maybe we need to see that the gospel does more than the law could ever do. It goes further than the law could ever go. If the instructions come with glory, Paul says, "will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory" (v. 8). Be strategic about studying our Bible. Don’t just read it. Make every effort to truly know and understand it. Remember, we need the basic instructions.

They would visit schools and hand out small Bibles that comprised the New Testament including Psalms and Proverbs. The good news of the gospel is so much better than the instructions! It is better because the news actually saves us. The gospel is the ministry of righteousness because it announces not just the blank slate of sins wiped out but the full credit of Christ's perfect obedience credited to us! The Power of SalvationAs I have established, the Bible provides the basis and framework and the Holy Spirit the filling/body. What is our role in all of this? One night on the way home from small group, I listened to the guy on the local Christian radio station give a ten-minute presentation of what he had learned in church the previous day. It all boiled down to an appeal to make Jesus, in his words, our "role model." It was all very nice and inspirational. The Bible is incredibly practical. We don't have to make it that way. It's already that way. There are lots of practical things in it, and we do need to teach them. But we must never teach the practical points as the main points. The practical stuff is always connected to the proclamational stuff. The "dos" can never be detached from the "done" of the finished work of Christ in the gospel, or else we run the risk of preaching the law. Do you take the last spoonful of mashed potatoes, knowing the 50 people still in line are left with stuffing and scalloped potatoes? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Jesus himself said so. In Luke 24, we see two of Jesus's disciples walking on the road to Emmaus and discussing the report they'd gotten of Christ's resurrection. Suddenly Jesus himself sidles up next to them. He asks them what they're talking about. They don't recognize him at first, so they explain that they are discussing the matter of Jesus, expressing their confusion about his having been given up to be crucified when all along they thought he was the one sent to redeem Israel. And they also weren't sure what to make of this astounding claim about his resurrection. Then Jesus does something very interesting: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans chapter 8 verse 26). You need to choose carefully because you’re only allowed one plate. Do you pile food on top of food? Be considerate of others? Not appear to be a pig or greedy? His constant presence is a gift in itself. As Jesus ascended, he promised us this comforter and it would be difficult to live a Christian life without the Holy Spirit. I still have that physical Bible, but I must admit that my reading of it is done mostly via the Bible app on my electronic devices these days. Despite whatever happens, I still love having a physical copy and I do believe that this is something every believer should have.The lines always seemed to move slow. After all, one must eye every dish and determine it’s tastiness. And of course, you have to decide whether that pot of greens beans looks better than the other two pots of green beans sitting there. One has floating pork bits; the other does not.

If the Bible is not essentially an instruction manual for practical application, then, what is it? If it's not mainly about what we need to do, what is it about? If it's not about us, who is it about? The Bible Is about Jesus When I need hope, I have learned to go to the Bible first. Whenever I need a reminder of who provides everything I need, I go to the Bible, the Word of God. Feeling down or anxious? I go to the Bible. Need encouragement to go another day in a challenging climate? Again, I go to the Bible.So, where does one look for insight into what is to come in the world we live in? Over the years, I have learned the Bible has the answers to what I can expect in the days to come. The Bible instructs me on what I need to do to prepare. I can never say I wasn’t told because the Bible has the answers.

As an adult, I may have been gifted a Bible or two, therefore growing up Christian, I was always in arms reach of the Good Book. In my own efforts to know God and understand my walk, I invested in a study Bible some years ago. The Bible is alive and active, as Scripture states above. You will find answers to many questions, and now more than ever, we need the truth to guide us through the weeks and months to come.

Years ago, I was standing in a long line at church, waiting for my turn. It was the annual Christmas dinner. If you have ever been to a Christmas dinner at church and stood in line, you are quite familiar with the occasion. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul tells us that all the biblical promises "find their Yes in him." The book of Hebrews is a great sustained example of this truth, showing us how all that led up to Christ was preaching Christ from the shadows, as it were, even reminding us that the mighty acts of the great heroes of the Old Testament were not about themselves but about acting "by faith" in the promise of the Christ to come. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him (1st John chapter 2 verse 27).