"MAKING THE SIMPLE WISE
Several years ago, one of the guys in our congregation told me of an incident involving [his] little daughter. On the way to church, she was asked if she knew her Bible verse. She said 'Yes. It's "Love God and love people."' (Obviously paraphrased.) When asked, 'What's the reference?' her confident reply was, 'It's found in God 13:13.' She was pretty safe! It is in God's Word.
God is always looking for people who will follow His Word in a simple fashion. 'Simple' in the sense of freedom from the extras or artificial; remaining like children, only wisely perceptive.
We live in a world that, for the most part, has no absolute standards for its behavior. So, basically, we live in a system that you might call morality by majority vote. Our universe is built on fixed flaws. By aligning with these laws of nature, we can send shuttles and robots into space, and, after decades of travel, predict their behavior almost to the second. While we can't violate those laws without suffering consequences, neither can we violate spiritual and moral laws, such as sowing and reaping, and be exempt from their results. God's standards for life and joy are found in this Book.
It's a book of God's working in people... and that's what the living church is. II Timothy 3:16 & 17 says that all scripture is profitable for (1) Doctrine, in which God tells us what to do; (2) Reproof, in which He tells us what not to do; (3) Correction, where we are told what to do when we don't do what we're told to do; and (4) Instruction in righteouness.
'Why search the Scriptures anyway?' someone asks. God's Word is sure, meaning it is trustworthy, reliable, and absolutely true, and that it can transform the whole person. For example, Psalm 19 says God's Word: (1) Converts the soul - verse 7; (2) Makes the simple wise - verse 7; (3) Brings joy to the heart - Verse 8; (4) Enlightens the eye - verse 8; (5) Will be around forever - verse 9; (6) Is righteous altogether - verse 9.
The Word of God is the basis on which the Spirit acts. While we contend for the miraculous and life in the Spirit, we are committed to the powerful foundation of God's Word that settles the soul and builds the heart. Live in the Word and walk in the Spirit.
Loving God and His Word,
Ron Mehl"