Inspiration
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Tim. 3:16
Many people, even Christian believers, find it difficult to accept the truth of this verse, that the entire Bible is inspired by God. One thing is certain, God’s word has to be taken in faith, we can never work it out with our own natural thinking, because on the surface there would seem to be contradictions.
In my early Christian days I was teaching Bible in schools in New Zealand and this was something that I had to deal with as I came to teach the story of the flood. I wrestled with God on this. I knew that I needed to teach truth, and that I needed to teach it with conviction, yet I could not understand how the whole world could be flooded. At some point during that process I felt that the Lord revealed to me that if I began to decide which parts of the Bible I would believe and which parts I would deny as being truth (because of my own lack of understanding), then I had a problem. If I decided only some was true then how could I believe any of it. For me, it had to be all or nothing. I would take this verse in 2 Timothy to be truth for me, that all scripture was inspired by God.
I would rather err on the side of faith than unbelief. Jesus said that in order to inherit the Kingdom of God we have to become like little children (Mark 10:14-15). Little children take things at face value. They are accepting and trusting and that is the kind of faith God wants for us. I know that some people would call that naiveté but I believe that we need to please God, not people.
As I read John 11 today I was fascinated to see how God can put inspired, prophetic words into the mouth of a hard-hearted Jewish priest who was out to kill the son of God. There was an argument among the religious leaders after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. These men were worried that Jesus was becoming too popular and they were going to lose their followers and their control. (John 11: 45 – 53). During the discussion Caiaphas who was the high priest that year said some prophetic words – “Let this one man die for the people.” The following verses show us that he did not think of those words himself, but God had inspired him to say it.
This may seem unimportant but in the way things work it was quite important. God is a God of order and I believe it was important for these words to be spoken by the appointed high priest even though the man’s heart was murderous. God respected the position that Caiaphas held at that time and made sure that the prophetic words came through ‘the proper channel’ if you like. All through scripture there are similar examples. We just have to look below the surface with an open heart and a mind that is teachable, then the Holy Spirit will show us what is true (John 15:26).
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Tim. 3:16
Many people, even Christian believers, find it difficult to accept the truth of this verse, that the entire Bible is inspired by God. One thing is certain, God’s word has to be taken in faith, we can never work it out with our own natural thinking, because on the surface there would seem to be contradictions.
In my early Christian days I was teaching Bible in schools in New Zealand and this was something that I had to deal with as I came to teach the story of the flood. I wrestled with God on this. I knew that I needed to teach truth, and that I needed to teach it with conviction, yet I could not understand how the whole world could be flooded. At some point during that process I felt that the Lord revealed to me that if I began to decide which parts of the Bible I would believe and which parts I would deny as being truth (because of my own lack of understanding), then I had a problem. If I decided only some was true then how could I believe any of it. For me, it had to be all or nothing. I would take this verse in 2 Timothy to be truth for me, that all scripture was inspired by God.
I would rather err on the side of faith than unbelief. Jesus said that in order to inherit the Kingdom of God we have to become like little children (Mark 10:14-15). Little children take things at face value. They are accepting and trusting and that is the kind of faith God wants for us. I know that some people would call that naiveté but I believe that we need to please God, not people.
As I read John 11 today I was fascinated to see how God can put inspired, prophetic words into the mouth of a hard-hearted Jewish priest who was out to kill the son of God. There was an argument among the religious leaders after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. These men were worried that Jesus was becoming too popular and they were going to lose their followers and their control. (John 11: 45 – 53). During the discussion Caiaphas who was the high priest that year said some prophetic words – “Let this one man die for the people.” The following verses show us that he did not think of those words himself, but God had inspired him to say it.
This may seem unimportant but in the way things work it was quite important. God is a God of order and I believe it was important for these words to be spoken by the appointed high priest even though the man’s heart was murderous. God respected the position that Caiaphas held at that time and made sure that the prophetic words came through ‘the proper channel’ if you like. All through scripture there are similar examples. We just have to look below the surface with an open heart and a mind that is teachable, then the Holy Spirit will show us what is true (John 15:26).
Prayer: Dear God, help me to have childlike faith that will please you and a heart that is teachable so that I can know your truth. Amen
posted by Daydrops For You at
2:04 AM
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