There are some that say the Bible is filled with contradictions or that its message is too confusing to make sense of it. Some lament the parts of the Bible that are hard to understand and wish that it could be a shorter, more concise book.
I’m not one of those people any more. The more I read this book, the more amazed I am at the profound consistency and simplicity of its message. The more I read this book, the more amazed I am that the message of the Old Testament so clearly lines up with the message of the New Testament. Here is an example from the book of Amos:
“I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:21-24 (NLT)
These words could very easily have come from the mouth of Jesus Himself. It was not uncommon for Him to simplify His message down to one specific point: “If you love me, obey me”, or maybe “Love God and love others”. Stop with all the pretense and show! Stop coming to church and thinking that you’ve checked off the spiritual box for the week! Stop honoring Me with your lips and dishonoring Me with the rest of your lives! Stop saying you love Me without acting like it!
Instead, let your lives be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and then they will reflect your faith. Then your lives will be a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
Amen! Father, thank You for giving me the Word to read today! Jesus, thank You for making it possible to follow You! Holy Spirit, help me to want to live for You and give me the ability to do it!
2 comments
carol says:
February 9, 2010 at 9:15 am (UTC -5 )
Amen to that Tom!God never stops amazing me!How He could still love me in all my stubborness, selfishness, pridefulness,,,,,,,He spoke to me so clearly and simply this morning from book of John..His “New Command” to Love one another as He loves us.I’ve heard this more than once this past week- funny how God has a way of repeating His message to us!!!But He also encouraged me this morning as I’ve been feeling a little “down” latley.John 17:23-26 Jesus “Rallies”for us!Praise Him!
Tom Houser says:
February 9, 2010 at 9:33 am (UTC -5 )
Amen to that Carol!