Sunday, October 9, 2011

What We Know

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And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (John 1:32 KJV)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13 KJV)

I’ve heard non-believers say that we act as if Christians know something no one else does.  We don’t – but He does and He shows us what we need to know.  Much of that comes through prayer and Bible reading.
Reading the Bible with prayer reminds me of eating meals.  We do it more than once a day, every day.  Some of the ingredients are the same time after time. We take some pasta, some meat, some sauce – and turn it into different things for different meals. When we say “Salad,” do we mean lettuce and etc., fruit, macaroni, peas and cheese?

The scriptures for us are quite similar.  We’ve been told, and Christians believe, that whether the reference is Deuteronomy 8:3 or Matthew 4:4, we are dependent upon every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

It was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days. The reason is also given in Matthew 4 – to be tempted by Satan.  Each of the temptations began with “If”. Twice it was “if you are the Son of God you will …”  The third actually acknowledges that Satan knew He came for this world, and Satan offered it to Him, conditionally:

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:9 KJV)

Mankind doesn’t have to go that far.  All we have to do is ignore Christ, and so many have done so. We’ve ignored His words as He explained what is necessary to reach His Father:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

One way, not many.  One Father, who commanded us:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV)

One Lord, not many. One faith:

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV)

Jesus told us about the way, what it is like:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

The strait and narrow way is laid out for us in God’s word.  Everyone can find it.

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Thank you for taking time to read and comment on the blog. Comments should take into consideration this verse: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)