If you recall, I had mentioned that my one New Year’s resolution for 2016 was to focus on one verse this year to see if I could live by it. Again, the verse I chose is Philippians 4:8 –– “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
For the month of January, I have been focusing on “Whatever is true.” I bring this up because I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues the other day about the Bible. We discussed heaven and hell, Jesus’s claim to be the Messiah, and what is considered sin. My colleague’s response was a response I have heard many people make: “Well, I don’t believe the Bible, so none of that applies to me.” Coming from a very logical person, this seemed like a very illogical comment. I know I have used this analogy before, but I think it appropriate here. It is kind of like saying, “I don’t believe in the California Vehicle Code, so those rules don’t apply to me.”
I don’t think it works that way. If the Vehicle Code is indeed the law of the land, and if the State of California does indeed have the authority to mete out justice based on it, then it really doesn’t matter if a person believes it or in the authority of the State of California. If he breaks those laws, he will still suffer the consequences.
The question, then, is not do you believe in the Bible or not, or if there is a God or not, but is the Bible true and is God in authority. If both of those answers are yes, then regardless of what a person believes, he or she will still be held accountable. Therefore, everyone, believers and non believers alike, need to make and then take the time to determine the truth of the Bible. This is exactly what Peter said in I Peter 3:15 when he said, “. . . always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
For the month of January, I have been focusing on “Whatever is true.” I bring this up because I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues the other day about the Bible. We discussed heaven and hell, Jesus’s claim to be the Messiah, and what is considered sin. My colleague’s response was a response I have heard many people make: “Well, I don’t believe the Bible, so none of that applies to me.” Coming from a very logical person, this seemed like a very illogical comment. I know I have used this analogy before, but I think it appropriate here. It is kind of like saying, “I don’t believe in the California Vehicle Code, so those rules don’t apply to me.”
I don’t think it works that way. If the Vehicle Code is indeed the law of the land, and if the State of California does indeed have the authority to mete out justice based on it, then it really doesn’t matter if a person believes it or in the authority of the State of California. If he breaks those laws, he will still suffer the consequences.
The question, then, is not do you believe in the Bible or not, or if there is a God or not, but is the Bible true and is God in authority. If both of those answers are yes, then regardless of what a person believes, he or she will still be held accountable. Therefore, everyone, believers and non believers alike, need to make and then take the time to determine the truth of the Bible. This is exactly what Peter said in I Peter 3:15 when he said, “. . . always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
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