Pastor Lonnie Phillips
If I call myself a Jesus follower, what view do I have of His words and what constitutes His words?
Jesus speaks on a variety of subject matters such as: marriage and divorce, sexual immorality, salvation, forgiveness, husband/wife relationships and parent/children relationships. He speaks on holiness and joy. He speaks on the issues of Justice and Mercy and on Righteousness and Love. He tells us plainly what Grace and Truth are and even things pertaining to Heaven and even Hell. He even tells us about Himself!
However, do we confine Jesus' words to the Gospels only and to the red letters at that, or also to the epistles and even Old Testament Scriptures?
It is true that the Bible had over 40 different authors that spanned over a 1500 year span and has 66 books in it. However, who was it that led and inspired these 40 different authors to write what they did? Is the Bible full of teachings that come from people and thus we can pick and choose the teachings that we like and reject the ones we don't? Or has God spoke through these authors whereby then they are greater than opinions and ideas and are words that correct, encourage and give life to our soul?(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If we are following Jesus and know Him to be the Son of God, who came into the world to save us from our sins and that He is the Word made flesh, then every word that we read from Genesis to Revelation are His words to us.(John 1:1-14)
I have to admit that I ask the Lord questions of His word as I read. There are times where I haven't fully understood and even haven't liked what I read because He is calling me to change the way I may believe about myself, a situation or even Him.
There was a time when some of those who were following Jesus didn't like what He was saying and chose to walk away from Him. Jesus turns to His twelve and asks the question, "Do you want to go away as well?"
Peter's response, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:60-71)
If I call myself a Jesus follower, what view do I have of His words and what constitutes His words?
Jesus speaks on a variety of subject matters such as: marriage and divorce, sexual immorality, salvation, forgiveness, husband/wife relationships and parent/children relationships. He speaks on holiness and joy. He speaks on the issues of Justice and Mercy and on Righteousness and Love. He tells us plainly what Grace and Truth are and even things pertaining to Heaven and even Hell. He even tells us about Himself!
However, do we confine Jesus' words to the Gospels only and to the red letters at that, or also to the epistles and even Old Testament Scriptures?
It is true that the Bible had over 40 different authors that spanned over a 1500 year span and has 66 books in it. However, who was it that led and inspired these 40 different authors to write what they did? Is the Bible full of teachings that come from people and thus we can pick and choose the teachings that we like and reject the ones we don't? Or has God spoke through these authors whereby then they are greater than opinions and ideas and are words that correct, encourage and give life to our soul?(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If we are following Jesus and know Him to be the Son of God, who came into the world to save us from our sins and that He is the Word made flesh, then every word that we read from Genesis to Revelation are His words to us.(John 1:1-14)
I have to admit that I ask the Lord questions of His word as I read. There are times where I haven't fully understood and even haven't liked what I read because He is calling me to change the way I may believe about myself, a situation or even Him.
There was a time when some of those who were following Jesus didn't like what He was saying and chose to walk away from Him. Jesus turns to His twelve and asks the question, "Do you want to go away as well?"
Peter's response, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:60-71)
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