I began with the story of the wise lady on the market stall. Let me end with the story of another wise lady – a lady in a Christian bookshop in Liverpool. I can’t remember exactly when I spoke to this lady – other than that I hadn’t been a Christian all that long.
I was browsing the massive variety of Christian books on the shelves when she said to me, very gently, something to the effect that, while it can be good to read Christian books, they should never become a substitute for reading the Bible.
Her words resonated with me – I had already experienced the problems that can be caused by Christian books written by people who have an unbalanced view of Christianity or a biased view of God. I’ve understood her caution more and more clearly in the years since then.
I remember – not long after hearing those wise words – kneeling down, Bible in hand, and praying “It’s you me and the Bible now, Lord. If you don’t teach me through your Word I’m lost.” I burned every Christian book I’d so avidly read – and for two years I read only the Bible “on my knees“.
That had been the beginning of my relying on God the Holy Spirit for the insight and understanding that comes from God alone, through the Word of God – the Bible. This knowledge is not just intellectual but a Spirit-imparted heart-knowledge. There is a critical distinction here.
Our modern culture is drowning in a sea of situational ethics, in which moral rules are not absolutely binding but may be modified in the light of specific situations. Knowledge is merely subjective and there is no external or objective truth – our own mental activity is the only unquestionable fact of our experience.
Morality is relative to the norms of one’s culture. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another. Truth and right and wrong can only be judged in relation to other things and nothing can be true or right in all situations. These concepts are not only widespread in our society – but they are often found in our churches.
Brainwashed
This can appear to be a good thing – a healthy antidote to indoctrination. And yet culture itself can be a form of indoctrination. Our perceptions are formed in the crucible of the societal norms with which we are raised. And those perceptions inform our opinions, beliefs and even our emotional reactions and behaviour. Without our recognising it, our minds can be brainwashed by newspapers, TV, social media and the opinions of others.
Without the security of a single standard for determining ethical attitudes and behaviour, many people carry the crushing burden of creating their own standard for right and wrong. Rather than allowing the world’s value system to ‘squeeze you into its own mould” the power of God going along with His Word imparts truth deep in your spirit which in turn shapes your thoughts and your values.
Prayer is the key that unlocks the door to truth – prayer for insight, wisdom and understanding. Lifelong, prayerful reading of the Bible is life-enhancing, life-changing and, the means of knowing God.
Ancient Words – Michael Smith
(with lyrics so you can sing along):-
“Holy words long preservedFor our walk in this world.They resound with God’s own heartOh let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever trueChanging me, and changing you.”
“The great saints of the past have all had yearning hearts. Their longing after God all but consumed them; it propelled them onward and upward to heights toward which less ardent Christians look with languid eye and entertain no hope of reaching. May we offer this word of exhortation: pray on, fight on, sing on! Press on into the deep things of God. Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will!” (AW Tozer)
Press on
Press on into the deep things of God – always remembering that, when we come to God – not looking for what He can do for us – but just desiring to be in His presence – just wanting to give love to Him – then we have at last grasped what we were created for. Here lies the ultimate fulfilment – of this life – and for all eternity.
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Summary
equinox 