Peace, security

Peace in the Middle East is all the rage topically right now.

Thanks be to God for the return and resolution He has delivered for some recently.

Politicians are talking about how there is more security in the world now.

And many people in our personal spheres are talking about all the news, adding observation and opinion.

Why not step right into the middle of it all and talk about true peace, everlasting security?

Both only come from God through Jesus.

Striving for peace in this world is honorable, but people should be looking to gain peace with God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV) – “18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) – “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

And, as history has shown, there is no real security in this world, at least none that lasts any longer than peace negotiated between nations.

True security comes only from God, His salvation through the sacrifice of His Son to secure our eternity with Him.

Our security, for all eternity, lies in God’s hands.

John 10:27-29 (KJV) – “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”

Now, disciple, how much more appealing is this peace and security compared to the world in your daily conversation?

3 Questions for now

Be ready to step into it quickly with conversations regarding peace and security this week.

There’s plenty of news and opinion about happenings in the world today.

That should make it simpler to talk about alternatives to what this world considers peace and security.

Have a few questions ready, and see what happens when you ask:

• How do you think peace in the Middle East will help us here?

• Do you believe the people there really have security?

• What would you consider lasting peace?

Current events are topics I doubt anyone is oblivious to at this point. So, ask away.

Be kind. Love others. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Deviations: wandering down rabbit holes can kill faith

Recently there have been topics of conversation arise in my sphere that ultimately lead to doubting the validity of the Bible, at least from the perspective of is it accurately presented, and questions of whether all the books of Scripture are contained in the Bible as we know it.

I know we all have a need to study and understand the Bible based on questions or concerns that may arise in our individual worlds. Part of maturing in Christ is wrestling with some of the difficult, often mysterious aspects of the Scripture.

We may not understand some of these topics for years. Maybe never in our earthly lives.

Two creations of men supposedly, giants in the land, the flood and ark, parting the Red Sea, water into wine, lepers healed. All these are topics that require faith in what God has provided in His Word to show us the way to Him.

Ultimately, must we understand any of such topics to find our way to God? Simply put, no.

Everything in Scripture – whether we believe it or doubt it – leads to Christ as our salvation.

There is no other way.

Jesus and the apostles warned of trying to manipulate the truth of Scripture.

Religious men of Jesus’ day were rebuked by Him for trying to run down rabbit holes, extrapolating unending possibilities about marriage and remarriage.

Matthew 22:29 (KJV) – “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

Peter sternly defended Paul against people trying to degrade Paul’s instruction and send people down a rabbit hole.

2 Peter 3:16-17 (KJV) – “16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

The Bible is the authority we should turn to and trust. Scripture carries us forth on the path of Christ in our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV) – “16 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

God has provided us with Scripture we need, nothing more and nothing less. Any deviation is dangerous.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, to which all Scripture points, is simple enough even for a child.

The truths we must know are that we are sinners, Jesus died for our sins, and if we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and have faith in Him to save us then we will have salvation.

John 5:24 (KJV) – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Banter about topics we don’t understand and trying to “prove” something (and bring others along that wayward path) is dangerous and potentially eternally deadly.

Beware the rabbit holes promoted by doubters.

Now, disciple, how is your Scripture study going?