By Bill Brandstatter Our society is
heading in the direction that Paul describes in 2 Tim. 3:1-3. We have seen a
decrease in morals in our society. What is called “same sex marriage” is being
widely accepted. That which was once considered against the law, is now
legalized in some areas. Hopefully, this will be the year that many will get
back to the Bible. I hope you will be part of the effort to return to basic
Bible teachings and let the Bible speak in all things that pertain to life and
godliness. (2 Pet. 1:3) In this article and in next week's, let us get back to
the Bible in our understanding of who God is. God is not a panic
button. Some only call on Him to help in an emergency. Others believe God
exists to grant our every wish and desire. Some only know that God exists when
trouble happens in life. Then if God doesn’t deliver, they blame Him. God is a
very present help in trouble. (Ps. 46:1) We should live for Him every day, not
just use Him as a panic button. God is God and we
are not. This simple statement is found in Isa. 55:8, 9. God doesn’t think like
we do nor does He act and react like us. Paul asked the question: “For what man
knows the things of a man except the spirit of man which is in him? Even so no
one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:11) God does
things in His way, not in man’s way. Once this simple principle about God is
learned, much of the misunderstanding of the nature and role of God will be
more clearly seen. God is a spirit.
We are spirit beings; (1 Cor. 6:19, 20) therefore, we are subject to the Father
of spirits. (Heb. 12:9) We live in a physical body in a physical realm. God is
a spirit and He lives in a spiritual realm. To connect with God, we must think
spiritually. The Bible tells us that “to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6) God wants all men
to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) All truth
has already been revealed to us. (2 Pet. 1:3) The apostles were told by the
Lord that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. (John 16:13) We have
it all today. We don't need any more revelations from God. Such is forbidden by
the Bible. (Gal. 1:6-10) God has given us what we need to know to be saved. We
can all be saved the same way by doing as the Bible directs. Jesus stated, “He
who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) We can all believe
the right thing and be baptized the right way to receive the right salvation
that Jesus mentioned.
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