Answer Book

Answer Book

               

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).

The fountain of divine truth is the Lord Jesus Christ,
the repository of divine truth is the Holy Scriptures,
the proper abode of divine truth is the sinner's heart,
and the sacred revealer of truth is the Holy Spirit.

The Bible contains all necessary truth--and nothing but truth. It was written expressly for sinners, it is freely given to them by God, that they may learn the things which make for their everlasting peace and salvation. It was never designed to gratify the critic's pride, or please the carnal imagination; but it was intended . . .
  to inform the mind,
  to sanctify the heart,
  and to direct the feet.
When we take it up, we should remember that it is a precious gift of God to poor sinners, designed to benefit them, and glorify His holy name.

This book sets before us our true state before God, as sinners:
  cursed,
  loathsome,
  vile,
  unworthy,
  base,
  Heaven-daring,
  wrath-provoking,
  mercy-despising,
  Hell-deserving sinners.

It shows us that . . .
we have come short of the glory of God;
our hearts are depraved beyond description, and vile beyond expression;
the nature of Satan is not actually worse than ours;
instead of having anything to boast of, or pride ourselves in--all that we have and are, is calculated to fill us with shame, confusion, and self-abhorrence.

This book shows us plainly that salvation must be of grace--or not at all. It informs us that by faith in Jesus, we can rise from our dreadful state, and escape our fearful doom. It sets before us . . .
  the provision of divine mercy,
  the contrivance of infinite wisdom,
  and the promises of eternal love.

It exhibits a perfect Savior, suited to our miseries and woes.

It presents to us a salvation . . .
   all of grace,
   to be enjoyed by faith, and
   manifested by good works.
A salvation that . . .
reaches to our present state,
delivers us from all that we have reason to fear,
introduces us to all that we can consistently desire, and
gives us a right to all that God has promised, and that Jesus has procured.

-Grace Gems

            This writer worked very hard for three degrees in science. In science, particularly the physical sciences, physics, chemistry, biology, you continue to refer to manuals, reference tables, of absolutes, formulas-laws-previous investigations. You learn early the real from the faults, that your credibility rests in the preciseness of your knowledge.

            So it is with your spiritual life, much more important than your physical life. Most unbelievers-agnostics-atheists have never spent 24 hours, one day of their lifespan in study so as to prove their REASON for unbelief. It has been the experience of this writer that most who wear with pride their disbelief are so afraid that yielding their life to God, through Christ, would cause them to have a less happy existence, that the cost would be too great. At least, vowed non Christians have the courage not to pretend something which they do not believe, as do many church members.

            Of course, when I was a child, it was difficult to find one who would actually profess his atheism. People were more accepted with a religious faith. A politician running for office, in his biographical information, would always put at the head of the line of his memberships, "church membership." In this day of professed neutrality, down right anti-Christian behavior, gay agenda, same sex marriage, the grandeur of secular-profane behavior, many wear unbelief as a badge of honor.

            Lee Strobel, lawyer, legal commentator, writer, like a former president of Harvard University, actually from his atheism-unbelief-condemnation of believers including his wife, spent much time proving and writing books about the authenticity of the Christian religion...leading to his salvation. When God wrote his book, he did not care whether mankind would like it or believe in it. The truth is the truth whether anyone believes it or not. After 13,000 years, history of mankind, the record is clear, his word his truth (John 5:24, John 17:17, John 14:6). The upward struggle, trials-temptations-tribulations is a constant and believers and unbelievers want no part of it. The downward slide into Hell is so easy.

            God's word answers every question, truly the answer book.

            In my lifetime, the grace-goodness of God has been turned into so much silliness by modern man, compromising everything, falling into that old snare-trap of Satan, that you can hold onto God with one hand, Satan with the other.

            We do what we do because we believe what we believe. The righteousness of Christ in us determines our walk, talk, and how much we love his word. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27), changes one's life. You are no longer a victim of decadence but a victor over the world, the flesh, the Devil. The very air you breathe becomes the joy of salvation.