Does The Bible Guide You Through Chaotic Times? February 5, 2011 Does The Bible Guide You Through Chaotic Times? February 5, 2011

How do you interpret the reality of what is going on around the world with what you believe the Bible teaches?

I am re-reading, Harold Bullock’s book, Sharper Strokes. In it, he writes, “Americans tend to have a peculiar view of reality. They tend to sort “facts” and “ideas” into three categories: TRUE, REAL & FALSE.” I am re-reading, Harold Bullock’s book, Sharper Strokes. In it, he writes, “Americans tend to have a peculiar view of reality. They tend to sort “facts” and “ideas” into three categories: TRUE, REAL & FALSE.”

“Ideas that we feel are true, but which do not have any real practical impact or consequence for our lives, we affirm to be “true.”

For example, the fact the world is 25,000 miles around is true, but has no real impact on our daily lives. We don’t use that fact to make daily decisions. For example, the fact the world is 25,000 miles around is true, but has no real impact on our daily lives. We don’t use that fact to make daily decisions.

Bullock says, “Ideas that we feel are not only true but also have real practical consequences in our daily lives, we affirm as “real.”

What we consider to be real in our lives guides us and has an impact on our decision-making processes. For example: Gravity is real, therefore: “I’m not going up there, I might fall.” What we consider to be real in our lives guides us and has an impact on our decision-making processes. For example: Gravity is real, therefore: “I’m not going up there, I might fall.”

Bullock goes on to say, “Most Americans, including ‘born- again Christians’, tend to put God and God’s word in the ‘true but not real’ category.” Bullock goes on to say, “Most Americans, including ‘born- again Christians’, tend to put God and God’s word in the ‘true but not real’ category.”

“Christians may affirm the truth of scripture or even argue vehemently about its truth, but they really don’t bother with specific obedience to God’s word in most situations of daily life.”

Because scripture is in the “true” but not “real” category for many Christians, its teachings have little impact on their daily decision- making processes.

This is the very reason that the lives of many church-going Christians are not much better than the lives of people in the general culture. When the Bible is true, but it doesn’t guide your decisions, it has no more impact on you than the fact that the world is 25,000 miles around. This is the very reason that the lives of many church-going Christians are not much better than the lives of people in the general culture. When the Bible is true, but it doesn’t guide your decisions, it has no more impact on you than the fact that the world is 25,000 miles around.

God calls us not just to believe the Bible is true, but to believe that what it teaches is real and should be used to guide our daily decisions.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJ) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJ)

If we really believe that the Bible is God’s Word to us and its purpose is to instruct us in the best way to live, why do we not read it? Why doesn’t it impact our decision-making processes?

If we really believe God is infinitely aware, good, holy, and absolutely in charge of the world, then you think we would be smart enough to put God and His Word in the same category as the law of gravity.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJ) “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJ)

Is that promise from God as real to you as the law of gravity?

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJ) “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJ)

Do you really search for God’s heart and direction on the issues you face each day?

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have LIFE, and have it to the FULLEST! John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that you might have LIFE, and have it to the FULLEST! John 10:10

Do you believe that statement by Jesus to be true? Is that statement real in your life? If it is real, why aren’t we doing everything in our power to seek God and live life to the fullest? Is that statement real in your life? If it is real, why aren’t we doing everything in our power to seek God and live life to the fullest?

“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:17 (NKJ) “I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:17 (NKJ)

There are some other statements in the Bible that are true, but until they become real to you, you will only experience a marginal Christian life.

As A Christian, My Life Is Without CONDEMNATION Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 As A Christian, My Life Is Without CONDEMNATION Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

FACT: God does not condemn me. When this TRUTH becomes REAL in your life, you will understand that when you blow it, God does not reject you. Your sins have already been paid for by His death on the cross. FACT: God does not condemn me. When this TRUTH becomes REAL in your life, you will understand that when you blow it, God does not reject you. Your sins have already been paid for by His death on the cross.

When it becomes REAL, I stop walking around in self- condemnation, beating myself up for past mistakes. I am able to forgive myself as I accept God’s forgiveness into my life.

As A Christian, My Life Should Not Be DOMINATED By Sin. “Through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 As A Christian, My Life Should Not Be DOMINATED By Sin. “Through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

FACT: I don’t have to be controlled by anything any more. I am set free. When Christians say, “My life is out of control. I just can’t get a handle on my life. I want to do right, but I don’t.” FACT: I don’t have to be controlled by anything any more. I am set free. When Christians say, “My life is out of control. I just can’t get a handle on my life. I want to do right, but I don’t.”

What are they really saying? “I’m pretty sure God’s word is true, but it is not really real in my life.”

To have your mind controlled by human nature results in death; to have your mind controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. Romans 8:5 (GN) To have your mind controlled by human nature results in death; to have your mind controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. Romans 8:5 (GN)

When those scriptures become real in a Christian’s life, he wants to let God control every detail of his life. Then they begin to experience life to the fullest. When those scriptures become real in a Christian’s life, he wants to let God control every detail of his life. Then they begin to experience life to the fullest.

As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Of HOPE …our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Of HOPE …our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

God has not promised a stress free, problem free life. Life is not easy, it is often tough. It can be overwhelming and discouraging.

FACT: I know at the end of the story, I will eventually win. I have a hope to hold on to, even in my problems, even when things go wrong, even when things fall apart. Jesus will never leave me or forsake me. FACT: I know at the end of the story, I will eventually win. I have a hope to hold on to, even in my problems, even when things go wrong, even when things fall apart. Jesus will never leave me or forsake me.

“For He Himself has said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJ) “For He Himself has said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJ)

As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without FAILURE And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without FAILURE And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

God never makes a mistake. He even takes the mistakes you make and weaves them into His plan for you. Nothing comes into your life by accident.

FACT: God has a purpose behind my problems. Notice that it doesn’t say everything is good. Nor does it say everything will have a happy ending this side of eternity. FACT: God has a purpose behind my problems. Notice that it doesn’t say everything is good. Nor does it say everything will have a happy ending this side of eternity.

When this fact is true in your life, you will understand that you don’t have to be perfect to be in God’s plan. You just have to be called according to His purpose.

But when it becomes real, I know that everything works together for my good and God’s plan.

As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Of CONFIDENCE. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Of CONFIDENCE. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

FACT: God not only knows me, He is FOR me. When this fact is true in your life, you understand that He is not trying to set you up, trip you up, or mess you up. He wants you to succeed. FACT: God not only knows me, He is FOR me. When this fact is true in your life, you understand that He is not trying to set you up, trip you up, or mess you up. He wants you to succeed.

But when it becomes real, I live without fear. I live with confidence that God is with me.

So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ Hebrews 13:6 So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ Hebrews 13:6

As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without LIMITATION “Since He did not spare even His own Son for us, but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also surely give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 (LB) As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without LIMITATION “Since He did not spare even His own Son for us, but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also surely give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 (LB)

FACT: God will meet all my needs. When this is true in your life, you understand that God meets your emotional, social, financial, spiritual, and physical needs. FACT: God will meet all my needs. When this is true in your life, you understand that God meets your emotional, social, financial, spiritual, and physical needs.

But when it becomes real, I am not afraid to push myself to try new things. I am not afraid to be generous with the things He gives me because He will always meet my needs. But when it becomes real, I am not afraid to push myself to try new things. I am not afraid to be generous with the things He gives me because He will always meet my needs.

As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without Fear Of SEPARATION from God. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ. Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. No, in all these As A Christian, My Life Is A Life Without Fear Of SEPARATION from God. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ. Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. No, in all these

things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:1 things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:1

FACT: Nothing can destroy my relationship with God. When this is true in your life, you understand that when you make a commitment to Christ, He assumes responsibility for you. FACT: Nothing can destroy my relationship with God. When this is true in your life, you understand that when you make a commitment to Christ, He assumes responsibility for you.

“For I am convinced that neither death or life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither heights nor depths, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-36 “For I am convinced that neither death or life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither heights nor depths, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-36

When this fact becomes real, I can be absolutely secure that no matter what mistakes I make, God will never let me go.

Live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these. Ephesians 4:1 Live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these. Ephesians 4:1

Why would any Christian believe the Bible to be true and then live their lives as though it were not real? We rob ourselves of so many of God’s blessings in this life. Why would any Christian believe the Bible to be true and then live their lives as though it were not real? We rob ourselves of so many of God’s blessings in this life.

Prayer Time