My God is a God of strength, of courage, of incredible might and righteous anger. He does not sit by lightly and reconsider, re-evaluate, change His mind, or become inconsistent.
Malachi chapter three verse six says, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
The Bible is there, spoken by God into the hearts of men, to be applied to one’s life, not to be interpreted. This is so important to understand as a Christian.
It is true everyone receives different messages, words and understandings from God’s Word, but those aspects to which we individually receive are the messaging of what God wants to teach us in that moment. And you can tell if that is what God is trying to tell you if it aligns with what the Bible says, not what you are hopeful for.
Most often, the things I pray for end up with a different outcome because God had different intentions for my situations or for my prayer requests. Then again, some things I have prayed for have come to be. I give all glory to God for everything He does, whether I like it or not, because I know He ultimately knows me best.
Keep each other accountable
A lot of Christians feel ‘triggered’ or ‘judged’ when another Christian points out their need to read the Bible more or to reconsider how they read the Bible.
Matthew chapter 18 verses 15 to 17 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
If you feel ‘triggered’ or ‘offended’, there is something within the heart that needs to change, otherwise their comment should not worry you because you know your God and you know the Bible.
Proverbs chapter 27 verse 17 says, ‘Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.’
The Word is used for purpose
The Bible is a God-breathed manual for life and for eternity. Here are some verses from the Bible that illustrate the purpose for the Word:
James chapter one verse 22 says, ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’
His Word is not to be altered or influenced to suit an agenda, a thought, a position or a feeling. The Word of God is steadfast and is to be read as God intended it, not for us to change the way we’d like or what suits us and our situation.
Two Timothy chapter three verses 16 and 17: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’Revelation chapter one verse eight: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Do not make light of the Word of God. Do not put God in a small, humanised box where He is contained to fit your agenda, ideals, thoughts and wants.
Knowing God and God’s Word
John chapter one verse one says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’
This verse illustrates that in order to know God you have to know His Word; however, they are all one in the same.
To know the character of God and the true intention for His Word happens by praying, talking to Him daily, listening to His small whispers and obeying what the Bible says.
To understand how to read the Bible truthfully and as intended, it is necessary to constantly re-evaluate everything you do. Is what I am doing/saying/believing/following a reflection of what God would want me to do? Is this in line with the Bible and what God says?
Fear of the Lord
In C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series, the way we should view God is perfectly illustrated when Lucy is confronted by the idea of Aslan the lion (a picture of God).
Lucy asks, “Is He safe?”
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
Mr. Tumnus also says, "He's wild, you know. Not a tame lion."
This perfectly described perception of what God is like is exactly how we should view Him. He is gentle, loving and kind–yes, but He is “not a tame lion” meaning that He is to be feared, He is to be respected, He is to be honoured.
God is a mighty lion, not a wimpy dog who succumbs to the world and its flaky, half-hearted and self-seeking requests. May I remind you that you are not here for God. He created you for a purpose, but He also chose to create you. Remember who your God is and learn to fear Him again.
Ecclesiastes chapter 12 verse 13 says, ‘The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.’
If we do not fear God, then we have no accountability and there becomes no reason for us to do good, to remain pure and to follow God. The fear of God allows us to remain accountable to the Word, to uphold Biblical teachings, and to follow God to the ends of eternity.
This is our duty, our responsibility here on earth to be a righteous representation of God so that others can come to learn about God and understand who He is. We cannot afford to waver our belief or try to fit our ‘idea’ of God into a box. Read the Bible in its entirety and you will begin to understand who God really is.
You are here to love God and fear Him, not the other way around. Bring honour to God by placing Him in the throne of heaven again. He is almighty, all-powerful, fierce and all-loving. He is to be feared in love.