By Joe Chesser
It really shouldn’t be surprising that the word of God is current to every culture and generation. Since God is timeless and cultureless, it shouldn’t surprise us that His word is also that way. Though it’s not surprising, it is none-the-less amazing!
It is true that the Bible is set in time and culture as the plan of God was slowly revealed through the centuries. The people in the Bible were real people who lived in various cultures at various times. But as God intertwined their backgrounds and futures, He let the world in on the plan He had before the world was created (Ephesians 1:4). He chose to develop through the Jewish people His plan for redeeming the entire world. When God became flesh and lived on earth (John 1:1, 14), He did so in Jewish society. Yet, when Jesus went to the cross, He broke down those cultural barriers and opened up for the entire world His gospel (Ephesians 2:12-16). Jesus wanted to be relevant to every generation and culture.
At this point you might be wondering where all this is going, so let me tell you. There are people every day who are searching for relevant help to deal with their personal problems of life. Many of these people go to church every week. Many of them pray often. Yet, they seem to wonder if God really understands their unique situation, and if so, does He have something significant to say to help them. These people live all around us, and perhaps, even in our own homes. But they also live in Nepal and Argentina and Scotland. No matter when or where people may live, no matter what their culture or customs may be, people are longing for, needing, a word from God. No one is exempt from needing to hear from God. And the Bible is just the place to look. It’s the only place to look.
Since God created us, He knows all of our needs. And since God transcends time and culture, He’s not locked in to only one way of doing so. He not only knows us inside out as individuals, He also knows what’s going on around us. But the really amazing thing is that whatever my needs may be, the Bible can help us. The word of God is living and active. It penetrates the soul and spirit, and can judge all of our thoughts and attitudes (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible may be thousands of years old, but it is amazingly relevant to every one of us.
There is no need to struggle through each day wondering if anyone cares, if anyone can help. God cares and He has given us His word to be our source of direction and comfort. Read it every day. Meditate on it. Study it. Learn it like never before. Then, when Satan tries to defeat you, like Jesus, you can draw from God’s word just the help you need (Matthew 4:1-11). You’ll be amazed at how relevant God’s word is!
It really shouldn’t be surprising that the word of God is current to every culture and generation. Since God is timeless and cultureless, it shouldn’t surprise us that His word is also that way. Though it’s not surprising, it is none-the-less amazing!
It is true that the Bible is set in time and culture as the plan of God was slowly revealed through the centuries. The people in the Bible were real people who lived in various cultures at various times. But as God intertwined their backgrounds and futures, He let the world in on the plan He had before the world was created (Ephesians 1:4). He chose to develop through the Jewish people His plan for redeeming the entire world. When God became flesh and lived on earth (John 1:1, 14), He did so in Jewish society. Yet, when Jesus went to the cross, He broke down those cultural barriers and opened up for the entire world His gospel (Ephesians 2:12-16). Jesus wanted to be relevant to every generation and culture.
At this point you might be wondering where all this is going, so let me tell you. There are people every day who are searching for relevant help to deal with their personal problems of life. Many of these people go to church every week. Many of them pray often. Yet, they seem to wonder if God really understands their unique situation, and if so, does He have something significant to say to help them. These people live all around us, and perhaps, even in our own homes. But they also live in Nepal and Argentina and Scotland. No matter when or where people may live, no matter what their culture or customs may be, people are longing for, needing, a word from God. No one is exempt from needing to hear from God. And the Bible is just the place to look. It’s the only place to look.
Since God created us, He knows all of our needs. And since God transcends time and culture, He’s not locked in to only one way of doing so. He not only knows us inside out as individuals, He also knows what’s going on around us. But the really amazing thing is that whatever my needs may be, the Bible can help us. The word of God is living and active. It penetrates the soul and spirit, and can judge all of our thoughts and attitudes (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible may be thousands of years old, but it is amazingly relevant to every one of us.
There is no need to struggle through each day wondering if anyone cares, if anyone can help. God cares and He has given us His word to be our source of direction and comfort. Read it every day. Meditate on it. Study it. Learn it like never before. Then, when Satan tries to defeat you, like Jesus, you can draw from God’s word just the help you need (Matthew 4:1-11). You’ll be amazed at how relevant God’s word is!
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ,
Fruitland, MO. He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com
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