Back to the Bible

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.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/