The Critical Value of the Bible McMahon, T.A. Sep 1 2013 But [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. — Matthew:4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Those of us who have been Christians for a number of years can sometimes lose sight of the critical value of the Bible in our lives. I’m not referring to those whose walk with the Lord could be characterized as lukewarm at best. I’m thinking more of those who consider themselves to be Bible-believing Christians, who attend and participate in a Bible-based church, who enjoy fellowship with committed believers, and who generally see the fruit of the Spirit in themselves and in their families. As great as those things might be, however, they can also dull to some degree (call it a creeping complacency) one’s awareness of how miraculous and necessary the Scriptures are. What I have in mind for this article is to underscore some things about the Bible that perhaps we’ve heard before and some things of which we may not have even been aware. The goal is to refresh our thinking and our thankfulness for God’s supernatural communication to mankind. Here are some general thoughts about God’s Word that relate to all of mankind: without the Bible, humanity would be nearly clueless about God; without the Bible, people would be completely deluded about their moral condition; without the Bible, humanity would have no idea what its purpose might be; without the Bible, mankind is lost in a condition of hopelessness and worse. For Christians, however, if we are not serious about the Word of God, we may still be semi-clueless about God, about our moral condition, about our purpose in God’s plan (or clueless about the plan itself), and ill-equipped to deal with the problems of life. In fact, we may struggle as much as nonbelievers. So, what we think about the Bible and what we do about it are very important concerns. Without the Bible, as I said, mankind would be nearly clueless about God. I say “nearly” because creation does give us indications of God’s attributes—in particular His omnipotence and His omniscience. Although evolutionists rail against intelligent design, it is obvious to any reasonable mind that the Intelligence behind creation must be all powerful and all knowing. Both the vastness of the universe and the incredible complexity of cellular and molecular life would indicate that the Designer must be omnipresent as well. Regarding creation, Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: tells us (although in somewhat general terms) that mankind is without excuse, i.e., we are accountable to God, in terms of acknowledging and seeking after Him. God has not, however, left humanity without specific information regarding what He wants us to know. What information has he given us? We can read about His attributes, His personality, His purpose and plan for mankind, and His relationship with His created beings (or lack thereof). That’s what the Bible is about, and then some. Furthermore, through it we can learn about the nature of humans when they were first created, as well as the change in that nature due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience, which affected all creation. The Bible is a history book. From man’s creation, to God separating and preparing the Israelites as a chosen people to whom He would send the Savior of the world and to whom their Messiah will return. It is a prophetic book, declaring the significant events that will take place in the future, including the Lord’s return for His church, after which will fall a time of unprecedented devastation and tribulation upon the earth. Next those left in the world will experience the thousand-year earthly reign of Christ, followed by the end of this present world and the creation of a new heaven and earth (Revelation:21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.). The Bible is the Manufacturer’s Handbook, an instructional manual telling mankind what God wants us to know and do in order to live our lives righteously, fruitfully, and in a manner that is glorifying to Him. The Bible is the only objective source of information for developing a personal, intimate relationship with God, who is love. It is His personal letter to us containing His words of counsel, comfort, encouragement, blessings, correction, protection, forgiveness, judgments, mercy, and grace. The Bible reveals the true nature and heart of every human. It sets the record straight on what is morally and spiritually good…and evil. Without God’s Word, His direct communication to His rational creatures, we have only man’s opinions, speculations, and guesses about God, not to mention the lies introduced by God’s chief adversary, Satan. Regarding the latter, his strategy from his first dialogue with Eve had been to turn humanity away from God’s words: “Yea, hath God said…?” (Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?). But are the words of the Bible indeed God’s words? That’s what the Scriptures claim. From Genesis through Revelation, in addition to the more than 4,000 explicit phrases such as “Thus saith the Lord” and “The Word of the Lord came to me,” we find God personally speaking to various prophets and other individuals. For example, in Jeremiah 9:23-24 [23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. God discloses characteristics about Himself that are beyond man’s ability to discover without His revelation of them: “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” God the Father spoke to Jesus after His baptism and on the Mount of Transfiguration. After His ascension, God the Son spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus and He spoke to John on the island of Patmos. The Apostle Paul declares to Timothy that, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God .” He also thanks God for the believers in Thessalonica because when they received the teachings from Paul they “received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:; 1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.). Peter, referring to his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, declared, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21 [20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.). Although we have a host of biblical statements claiming God’s personal communication to mankind, the Bible nevertheless gives a prerequisite, something that must come first, before anyone can understand His communication and truly know God. We must be born again . Speaking to Nicodemus, one of the religious leaders of the Jews, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” ( John 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.). Paul explains why being born of the Spirit of God is the only way that God can be known: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.). Once we turn to God and by faith believe the gospel, the good news that Jesus, who is God, became a man to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, we are born of the Spirit. We become new creatures in Christ, in which the Holy Spirit dwells. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.). Unless I have the Spirit of God, I have only my fleshly mind to rely upon to know God—which is an impossibility. Jesus declared that “the flesh profiteth nothing.” Paul wrote, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.; Romans 8:5-6 [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.). Not only does the Bible claim that its words are God’s direct revelation to mankind, but it also claims that the words of God are absolutely true. Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. states, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” ( John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.). Not only does the Bible make numerous claims of being the truth of God, but it gives support of those claims in a verifiable way. That is called prophecy . In the Book of Isaiah, God establishes Himself as the God of Prophecy. He challenges the pagans to prove the reality of their gods by having them foretell future events, something only He can do: “Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together….And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isaiah 41:22-23; 44:7-8). [22] Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. [23] Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together; Nearly a third of the Bible contains detailed prophecies of future events, most of them related to Israel and the First and Second comings of the Messiah. Israel, the Lord declares, will be a witness to the world of God’s direct involvement with humanity: “Ye are my witnesses...and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” ( Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.). In other words, God will use them and their land to be “witnesses” both to themselves and to the world—not only that He exists but that He is actively involved in shaping the history of Israel as well as bringing about His purpose for all of mankind. Prophecy is compelling proof for the existence of God, and it is also evidence that the Bible is exactly what it claims to be—His Word! “What proof?” someone might ask. The answer is found in the fulfillment of what God prophesied. He announced to Abraham (Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will shew thee:), and then to Isaac ( Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;), and after that to Jacob ( Genesis 28:13And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;) that He would give them the land “from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” ( Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:), and that this Promised Land would be theirs. It’s a fact of history, as the book of Joshua records, that the Israelites took possession of the land that God promised. Although His promise was irrevocable, He nevertheless warned them that should they cease to obey Him He would cast them out of the land for a time: disobedient Israel “shall be plucked from off the land whither [they go] to possess it” (Deuteronomy:28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.). They were, and He did—resulting in the Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Babylonian captivity of the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Jeremiah prophesied that the captives would return from Babylon to Jerusalem “when 70 years [were] accomplished” ( Jeremiah 5:12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.). Even so, a still more devastating dispersion of the Jews was foretold: “And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other” (Deuteronomy 28:64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.). This, the last major diaspora, took place when the Roman army under Titus destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Not only have the Jews been widely dispersed, as the Bible predicted, but God’s Word also gives details as to how they would be treated: “And I will...deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them” ( Jeremiah 29:18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:). This treatment would be known as anti-Semitism, carried out by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, raised to a demonic level by Hitler, practiced from the 7th century onward, and continued today by Islam—yet it was first prophesied by Moses ( Deuteronomy:28:37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.) 3,500 years ago! It would seem that this dispersion, along with accompanying persecutions and attempts at annihilating the Jews, would have placed God in an untenable position. After all, He promised unconditionally to Abram (Abraham) that the Promised Land “which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” ( Genesis 13:15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.). The Lord declared also that while Israel would not go unpunished, He would “not make a full end of thee” but would “save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob [Israel] shall return” ( Jeremiah 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.; 46:27). That a scattered and persecuted minority could live for 2,000 years or more among other races without being absorbed into them (especially when doing so could have avoided endless repression) and yet remain a uniquely identifiable ethnic group, is inconceivable—it is certainly beyond chance and without precedence in world history. Add to this astonishing fact that they would then be gathered from around the world and brought back to the land that God had promised to them more than three thousand years ago. Yet as the world knows, this took place “officially” in 1948 when Israel was recognized as a sovereign nation. God’s Word is indeed just that: the very words of God. Fulfilled biblical prophecy is the undeniable proof that mankind has direct access to the God of all creation. That fact should make the Bible the most exciting book in the world, which it is. Believers who have lost that excitement need only to get back into it on a daily basis. The entire Bible is prophecy, with God both telling forth and foretelling . God’s telling forth through His prophets includes all that He wants mankind to know and do, including His attributes, His commandments, His instructions, His corrections, His blessings, and so forth. Beyond the aspect of proving that God exists and that His Word is His direct communication to mankind (as we noted last month), foretelling is a way that God informs and in some cases warns His people of things to come. Two examples among hundreds that could be given from the Old Testament are in Genesis 15, in which God tells an aging Abraham that he will have a son and that his descendants (some 400 years later) will take the land that God promised to him, and Jeremiah 25, which contains God’s prophecy of the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites that would last 70 years. The New Testament contains hundreds more prophecies, many of which have come to pass, with some yet to be fulfilled. They all underscore the critical value of the Bible for the upcoming generation. How so? Well, it’s pretty simple. If a believer reads the Bible consistently and diligently (meaning seriously, and not in a “here a verse there a verse, whenever the mood strikes” manner) and is not being spoonfed but is feeding himself on the Word of truth, he will be acutely aware of prophetic events when they take place in his lifetime or as they begin to make their appearance. Without such an awareness, a believer becomes vulnerable to seduction by unbiblical movements, teachings, practices, and agendas that may appear to be good but are, as we are told in Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. , “…a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Death in Scripture doesn’t always mean physical death, but it does always involve separation. In physical death, the soul and spirit are separated from the body. In the proverb just quoted, it means a separation from the truth. As a consequence, deception runs rampant because without the knowledge of what the Bible clearly says, a believer won’t recognize the unbiblical agendas mankind is promoting. For example, the world is into different forms of preserving and restoring the planet, from warnings of so-called global warming to the promotion of population control to worries regarding a dwindling food and potable water supply. These issues are high on the world’s agendas because the earth’s survival is their only hope. That’s all that the world has with regard to the future. Biblical Christians should also have concerns about the stewardship of the land that God has blessed us with, but within the context of what the Bible teaches will take place. Then why do most professing Christians support or conform to various restoration agendas that are at odds with what the Bible teaches? For example, amillennialists, those Christians who reject the literal thousand-year reign of Christ on this planet, see the earth and the Kingdom in the process of being restored before Christ physically returns. The claim is that Satan has been bound and that things are getting better and better. Amillennialism is the most common eschatological belief among professing Christians. It is the doctrinal view of Roman Catholics, Greek & Russian Orthodox, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Church of Christ, some Independent Baptists, and most Calvinists (with some notable exceptions). Kingdom/dominionists, most of whom are charismatics and Pentecostals, believe that Christ cannot return until His Kingdom is restored through an army of new apostles and prophets. They declare that those positions are being filled by the young people of the upcoming generation. Then there are those Christians who are into other forms of restorationism such as Rick Warren’s Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan, the social gospel of World Vision, and the Religious Left’s socialism (aka Progressive Christianity). The goal is to solve the world’s problems of poverty, social injustice, environmental abuse, and political corruption through religious ecumenism and political activism. As the church seeks to correct the so-called social injustice in the world, there has been an increase in the support of “Christian Palestinianism” by young people. Some very influential evangelical leaders are accusing Israel of being an illegitimate government in the land that belongs to the Palestinians. This is the slippery slope that fosters anti-Semitism. In the words of arch heretic, former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “We want to see an end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the oppression of its people.” The Scriptures are completely barren of support for any of those agendas. What all of these movements have in common is a shared view of the Bible in one or more of the following ways: 1) ignorance of its teaching, or 2) distortion of the Word to accommodate their agendas, and/or 3) rejection of its teachings as God’s words. If a believer is unaware of the eschatology of the Bible (the teachings of the end times, which are hardly complex or esoteric), he or she could find themselves in the position of actually contributing to a program or agenda that is contrary to what the Bible says will take place. For example, the biblical timetable tells us that the next kingdom on earth will not be the Kingdom of Christ but the kingdom of the Antichrist , which will last for seven years. So, am I implying that some Christians, including true believers, may be supporting the development of the religion and kingdom of the Antichrist? No, I’m not implying such a thing; I’m saying it straight out—because that scenario is already taking place. And the fundamental reason that such Christians have been seduced into working for the Adversary is because they don’t know what the Bible says because they are not reading the Bible. Or they are not believing what they are reading and consequently they are not doing what it says. In our August newsletter, the feature article is a reprint from Dave Hunt’s book Countdown to the Second Coming . In it, Dave points out some characteristics of the Antichrist that most people don’t realize. The Antichrist won’t first appear as, in Dave’s words, “a sinister man who exudes evil from every pore.” He will be Satan’s human masterpiece transformed into an angel of light and a minister of righteousness, the ultimate false Christ. The Scriptures teach that true believers will be raptured before the Antichrist is revealed—so, no worries, right? Wrong. The preparation of the religion and the kingdom of the Antichrist, which precedes his being revealed, has been in the works since Satan’s deception and seduction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And it is increasing in our day at an exponential rate. This is what Jesus indicated would take place when His disciples asked Him about the last days just prior to His coming. He characterized those days with this warning: “Take heed that no man deceive you ” (Matthew 24:4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. ). In verse 24 He adds, “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect .” Jesus’ words in Luke 18:8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? give us further confirmation that the apostasy will be in full bloom at His coming: “ Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? ” The Apostle Paul gives us a major reason why the apostasy will develop at an astonishing rate: “ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables ” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ). They (meaning some and possibly most Christians) will not endure sound doctrine, that is, the teachings of Scripture. That being the case, they are going to buy into whatever feels right to their flesh. They’ve obviously drifted away from God’s Word ( Hebrews 2:1) Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip., often a consequence when one’s manner of living conflicts with the Bible’s admonitions. In any case, they have rejected the truth, or they may never have known it in the first place. Paul’s words of warning to the Ephesian elders... (Acts 20:27-31) couldn’t be more applicable for a time such as ours when biblical discernment is more necessary than ever. Let’s consider these verses line by line and pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to take them to heart and show each of us how we can apply them. 27: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God . All the counsel of God is found from Genesis through Revelation. If we’re not familiar with it, it won’t help us. 28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood . We may not be overseers of a fellowship, but we might be dads, granddads, moms, grandmas, big brothers, big sisters, aunts, uncles, those who have some responsibility or at least the opportunity of spiritually feeding their own flock. 29: For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock . The gravity of Paul’s concern here is underscored by his choice of words, inspired by the Holy Spirit: “grievous wolves…not sparing the flock.” 30: Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them . A mob of highly visible leaders who call themselves evangelicals but who are “speaking perverse things” (unbiblical teachings and practices) are working overtime to draw away disciples after themselves. Many of those who are being seduced are our brothers and sisters in Christ, young and old alike. 31: Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears . I used to think, Paul…what’s your problem? You don’t have to deal with TBN…Charisma Magazine and Publishing…The New Apostolic Reformation…Christianity Today (or more often, AntiChristianity Today)…so-called Christian Psychology…Replacement Theology…Charismania…Hyper-Calvinism…The Emerging Church…Latter Rain/Manifest Sons of God…Joel’s Army…The Contemplative Movement…The Message “Bible”…The Purpose-Driven Marketing Movement…The Christian Right…The Christian Left (Progressive Christianity, as mentioned) …and on and on and on…. Then it dawned on me what I had missed. It’s not primarily what Paul had to deal with, but it’s his heart in this for his brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s his love for his fellow believers who could be seduced and have their faith shipwrecked and their fruitfulness devastated. That should cause all of us to search our own hearts as the apostasy ensnares believers, particularly those in our upcoming generation. I hope and pray that we will search our hearts regarding Paul’s tearful plea. Knowing and doing what the Bible says is at the heart of its critical value. Yes, true faith is drying up all over the world, just as Jesus declared would take place prior to His return. On the other hand, the psalmist, in Psalm 1 gives us the prevention program that will keep us spiritually hydrated: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish . The Bible’s encouragement in this psalm or anywhere else throughout God’s Word is not altered by what the world or the Adversary is foisting upon believers. It is only conditional upon a believer’s obedience to diligently and faithfully read and do what the Scriptures instruct. And when that has been done, “...he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” The Berean Call
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 02:11:27 +0000
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