The Source for Living Lightly
Over the past several weeks we have pondered the question of how to live life. In our effort to find a wise and effective path, there are many options. Many belief systems claim to offer light and guidance, but every day we see a world that is engulfed in chaos, hatred, and violence. Every day we observe that wise choices are not being made. Our “politically correct” guides say that despite what we see around us, things will get better. As a matter of fact, these blind guides seem determined to encourage us to follow anything but the Bible. Are these prophets of “new truth” correct?
To calculate the success of today’s anti-god philosophy one simply needs to look at the death, misery, and destruction which surrounds us. To be fair, this carnage is not entirely the fault of today’s misguided philosophers and thinkers. Through the ages, Satan has planted his lies and deceptions in the hearts of mankind. Today’s misguided values and attacks on God’s truth are nothing new. There have always been those who chafed at the idea of submitting to God’s guidance. There have always been those who think they know more than the One who created the universe. In rejecting God’s truth people have exchanged “light” for “darkness.” The result of living in “darkness” is that we fall and hurt ourselves.
God, the maker and sustainer of our universe, claims that He knows what is best for us. Pause for a moment and ponder the implications of that statement. If God made this universe, then does it not make sense that He would have a purpose for our existence? If God has a purpose for our existence, then would He not have some guidelines on how to live life best? Would there not be a “blueprint” for how society and civilization should be established? Consider this, if we were tasked with assembling a complicated project, would we not ask for directions? If we found a storeroom full of amazing and complicated objects, would we not seek to find the designer’s outline and instructions? This is exactly what God has given us in the Bible.
Consider the following truths of Scripture: Psalm 119:104-105>>"I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV) God clearly tells us that His word, the Bible, is what we must base our lives upon. As we choose which “path” we will follow, we would be wise to choose God’s path. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV) Here we learn that God has “breathed out” the words of life. God’s ways are the ways that lead to lasting life and satisfaction.
Before I close, let me anticipate an objection. There are those who are critical of the Bible. They point to inconsistent actions by Christians. They rightly criticize the hypocritical lives of those who claim to follow Jesus. The problem is in living out God’s wise instructions, not the instructions themselves. God’s word is always true. The Bible is always light in the darkness. When we fall short of living according to God’s truth, we must turn to Jesus. The Scriptures are not simply a guidebook for right living, they are a discussion of the fact that mankind has a problem. We are broken, and we need someone to save us. This is why the Bible is a spotlight that points to Jesus. Let us keep looking up and seeking Jesus!