2022-05-16
2 Timoteus 3:16 NLV
Een van die maniere hoe God ons verander, is deur sy Woord. ‘Die hele Skrif is deur God geïnspireer en is nuttig om ons te leer wat waar is en om ons te laat besef wat verkeerd is in ons lewe. Dit ruk ons reg en kweek ‘n regte leefstyl. Dit is God se manier om ons voor te berei, ten volle toegerus vir elke goeie ding wat Hy wil hê ons moet doen’ (verse 16-17 NLV).
Daar is ‘n verhaal van ‘n bekeerde kannibaal in die Suidsee eilande. Hy het by ‘n groot pot gesit en sy Bybel lees toe ‘n antropoloog hom nader en vra: ‘Wat doen jy?’ Die boorling het geantwoord: ‘Ek lees die Bybel.’ Die antropoloog het gespot en gesê: ‘Weet jy nie dat moderne, beskaafde mense daardie boek verwerp het nie? Dis niks anders as ‘n klomp leuens nie. Jy moenie jou tyd mors om dit te lees nie.’ Die kannibaal het hom op en af gekyk en stadig gesê: ‘Meneer, as dit nie vir hierdie boek was nie – was jy nou in daardie pot!’ Die Woord van God het sy lewe – en sy aptyt – verander.
As jy ernstig daaroor is om jou lewe te verander, moet jy gereeld jou Bybel lees, bestudeer en memoriseer. As jy dit nie doen nie, hoe kan jy verwag om in geloof te groei? Die Bybel sê: ‘Die geloof volg uit die aanhoor van die boodskap. En die aanhoor van die boodskap volg uit die prediking van die Goeie Nuus wat handel oor Christus’ (Romeine 10:17 NLV). Die Gees van God gebruik die Woord van God om ons meer soos die Seun van God te maak.
Sielskos: Num 27-29; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 62; Spr 11:15
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
One of the ways God changes us is through His Word. ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work’ (v.16-17 NLT).
If we’re serious about bringing change in our lives and growing into a more Christ-like character, we have to get into the Bible. We need to read it, study it, memorise it, meditate on it, speak it, and apply it. Regularly reading God’s Word, studying it, and thinking deeply about it can bring strength to a weak faith, comfort to a broken heart, and joy to an anxious mind. And when we put what we’ve read into action, the Word of God can completely turn things around by encouraging change and helping us to grow our faith.
There’s a constant struggle going on between our spirits, which are God’s and our sinful human flesh. ‘Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just what you please’ (Galatians 5:17 NCV). If we let our flesh win each time, we’ll never be able to change. But every time we surrender to God’s Spirit within us, He’ll help us take another step towards a more Christ-like character. The Bible says, ‘Faith comes by hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ’ (Romans 10:17 NLT). The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us more like the Son of God.
Num 27-29; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 62; Pro 11:15
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
One of the ways God changes us is through His Word. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (vv. 16-17 NLT).
The story is told of a converted cannibal in the South Sea islands. He was sitting by a large pot reading his Bible when an anthropologist approached him and asked, “What are you doing?” The native replied, “I’m reading the Bible.” The anthropologist scoffed and said, “Don’t you know that modern, civilized man has rejected that book? It’s nothing but a pack of lies. You shouldn’t waste your time reading it.” The cannibal looked him over from head to toe and slowly replied, “Sir, if it weren’t for this book – you’d be in that pot!” The Word of God had changed his life – and his appetite.
If you’re serious about changing your life, you have to get into the Bible. You need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, speak it, and apply it. “But my faith is weak,” you say. Are you reading your Bible regularly? Are you studying it? Are you memorizing it? No? Then how do you expect your faith to grow? The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 NKJV).
Bottom line: The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us more like the Son of God.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 62; Pro 11:15
2022-05-15
Philippians 2:12-13 NLT
The Bible says, ‘Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.’ It seems a bit confusing – if God’s already at work within us, why do we need to put so much effort in? The Bible doesn’t say, ‘Work for your salvation.’ To work for something means to earn it, deserve it, and merit it, but the Bible teaches us that salvation isn’t something we have to earn or work for. It’s a free gift from God, given by His grace (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
When Paul wrote, ‘Work hard to show the results of your salvation,’ he’s talking about something like a spiritual ‘workout’. When we exercise, we develop and tone the muscles God has already created us to have. To ‘work hard to show the results’ here means to grow and make the most of what we’ve been given. What Paul’s saying is this: develop your spiritual life.
God has a part in our spiritual growth, and we also have a part. First, He gives us the eagerness to please Him; our part is to recognise that feeling and choose to act on it. Then He provides the power; our part is to access that power, flip the switch, and let it flow through our lives to fulfil His will for us. And we can do that by spending time praying and reading God’s Word each day, sharpening and strengthening each other through fellowship, and exercising the gifts God has given us. The truth is, He’s already done His part; now it’s up to us to do ours.
Gen 2:7-25; 1 Cor 15:39-55
Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV
The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation… for it is God who works in you… to will and to do… His good pleasure.” This Scripture almost sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? But instead, it is a paradox. And G.K. Chesterton described a paradox as “truth standing on its head to get attention.”
The key to understanding this particular paradox lies in the little word out. Notice that the Bible doesn’t say, “Work for your salvation.” To work for something means to earn it, deserve it, merit it. And the Bible plainly teaches that salvation isn’t something we have to work for or earn. It’s a free gift of God’s grace (See Ephesians 2:8-9). When Paul says, “Work out your salvation,” he is talking about a “spiritual workout.”
What do you do during a physical workout? You develop and tone the muscles God has already provided you. To “work out” means to grow and make the most of what you have been given. What Paul is saying here is this: Develop your spiritual life! God has a part in our spiritual growth, and we, too, have a part. He provides the power, but we must access it, flip the switch, and let it flow through our lives to fulfill His will for us.
Practically speaking, how do we do that? By spending time praying and reading God’s Word each day. By sharpening and strengthening one another through fellowship. By exercising the gifts God has given us. The fact is, He has already done His part; now it’s up to you to do yours.
Soul food: Gen 2:7-25; 1 Cor 15:39-55
