I recently read an article over at Bible Gateway.com that asked what it means to be "Bible Minded." They asked is the definition is one of these...?
…thinks about the Bible a lot?
…believes that the Bible is God’s Word?
…believes that the Bible is scientifically and/or historically accurate?
…obeys Biblical laws and instructions?
…is a Christian?
…belongs to a specific Christian denomination, a particular political party, or other group?
…reads the Bible obsessively?
…tries to base their actions and lifestyle on certain principles found in the Bible?
…some, all, or none of the above?
They seem to agree that these, and other definitions, could describe a "Bible Minded" person. They quote these Scriptures...
{Jeremiah 31:33}
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."{Proverbs 7:1-3}
"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart."{2 Timothy 3:16-17}
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."They wrap up the article with this.. They ask, DO you...
…open your mind to the truths it teaches you?
…allow it to convict you, when necessary, of sin in your life?
…respond to that conviction with prayer, repentance, and other Bible-based action?
…earnestly try to put into practice the teachings and values taught in the Bible, with a goal of pursuing righteousness (as the Bible defines “righteousness”)?
It really was a good article. However, I have one question for ya. Do you read the Bible at all? That really is the question. People hear the good news. They hear the Gospel. They hear....
{John 3:16}
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."They hear what we just talked about not too long ago....
{John 11:25-26}
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."They believe. They accept. They say the Prayer.....
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
They hear the Truth, that It really is, just that simple. They go off and tell people, well, some, what they have just done. They get on fire for God, and go to Church, pardon the expression, Religiously, every week. They sing songs and they hear the Word spoken by the Pastor, Preacher, or Leader of the Church. Then someone comes up to them and asks them things like...
"What about all those contradictions in the Bible?" "What about the fact you eat Pork, Bible says not to?" "You walk more than 3637 feet on Sunday, yet you call out others for not following your narrow and hypocritical view of the Bible?" "After all, the Bible even tells you that, and I quote, 'There is no God.' So what is your deal anyway? I like the old you. You know, before all this Bible stuff."
Can you answer all of these? I am not even getting into some of the more "feeling" arguments. Like telling someone that they are correct in saying that their long lost loved one is NOT in Heaven if they denounced Jesus. Let's just go with these.. Can you answer them? Chances are, if you did not hear this on Sunday Morning, you have no clue..
First of all, there is not one Contradiction in the Bible. No. Not one. There are misinterpretations. There are differences in focus on the same subject by different Witnesses. There are intentional twisting to fit agendas or ideas. There are simple misunderstands. But not one Contradiction. If you go into the Bible, with the Spirit to understand, you will receive Eyes to See, Ears to Hear, and a Heart to understand. God can and WILL speak to you CLEARLY in His Word. This is why it is so important to make time to do so.
One Angel or two? Jesus talks with one of two Blind Men, ETC. Different versions of the same event, by different witnesses, either based on different points, or different points of view. A guy robs a Bank, 10 Witnesses give 6 or 7 different descriptions of the same event, ETC. When you know the Truth, these are insignificant to the ACTUAL Lesson it is trying to teach you.
Eating Pork? Or anything the Bible says you should not? Remember Peter's Dream? Acts 10:9-16. Remember what the Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, or in 1 Timothy 4:4? This is not the Truth. However, it would not be a good idea for you to eat a pound of bacon for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. It is not healthy for ya. But you are not going to Hell for eating a BLT.
AS far as walking 3637 feet on Sunday? First, do you even know that this means? It means they are accusing you of "Working on the Sabbath." 3637 feet is a Jewish measurement of a Sabbath Days Journey. If you walk past that, you are considered "working." However, this is NOT God Commanded. Second, Jesus asked us,,,
{Luke 6:9}
"I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?"Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was made for Man, NOT Man for the Sabbath. It is a Day of Rest. Oh, and by the way, the Sabbath, is Saturday..
"There is no God"? Yup. Bible says it twice. However, what it actually says is....
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." {Psalms 14: 1} {Psalm 53:1}So what they told you is true. They Bible does say, "There is no God." However, they did not tell you the whole truth. If you did not know? You could fall for the lie.
As for complaining that you are Judging someone based on your Biblical views? Just because we have declared things OK. Or even deemed them a Human "Right" or whatever, doesn't mean that they are all of a sudden Right. Just because WE have changed Good to Sin and Sin to Good, does mean that it is so. Unless you KNOW the Word, you may accept things as they are, instead of knowing the Truth, they are Sin. Against God. Against Nature. You may fall for what sounds Compassionate and Right, without knowing, what you are being told, is Sin and Wrong.
Understand this Child of God, The Word of God, The Bible, is absolute. It is not filled with Contradictions. There is not one. It is Absolute. It is Perfect."All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." So yes, as a Child of God, you SHOULD,,,,…open your mind to the truths it teaches you, allow it to convict you, when necessary, of sin in your life, respond to that conviction with prayer, repentance, and other Bible-based action. and earnestly try to put into practice the teachings and values taught in the Bible, with a goal of pursuing righteousness (as the Bible defines “righteousness”).
How do you do this? READ IT... Eat it. Absorb it. Take it all in and make it a part of you. Not just go to Church an Hour or two, every other week, if you feel like it. But everyday, enter into the Word with the Hope that it WILL feed your Spirit, and make you a Bible Minded Person..
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..
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