What Does the Bible Say about Your Life?

You Were Made as Part of God’s Plan

The first words of the Bible are “in the beginning God made the heavens and the earth.”  A little later it says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Modern scientific theories attempt to tell us how the world was made. The Bible’s intention is to tell us that the world and all people owe their existence to God. We are, says the Psalmist, “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

And, the Bible says, God created the world and us with a plan in mind. The goodness of life is to be enjoyed. Some religions and philosophies have disparaged bodily existence. But, God said, “It is good.” Even more, God made us “in his image” that we might live in communication and harmony with God.

The Bible describes the divine plan for human life in various ways. For example, there are the Ten Commandments. And, later, Jesus would summarize the teachings of the Scripture in this way: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Another teaching of Jesus, “Do to others what you would have them do to you,”  has often been called the “golden rule.”  The Bible variously instructs God’s people “to be holy,” “to be imitators of God,” and “to live as children of light.”

You Have Become Separated from God and His Plan for Your Life

While the Bible describes God’s plan for humanity, it also tells how we have turned from it.  God has given human beings a power of choice, but we often choose badly.  Said the prophet Isaiah, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we turned everyone to his own way.” The story of Adam and Eve represents the loss that human beings suffer when they alienate themselves from God and his provision for their lives.

The Bible calls our willful separation from God “sin.”  When self-centered human beings without God’s light become their own standard of righteousness and justice, darkness spreads over their hearts and minds and socieities.  Sheep gone astray bring injury upon themselves as well as others. 

You Have a God Who Wants You Back

But the prophet Ezekiel hears the Lord say, “I myself will search for my sheep... I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.  I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.”  Following this same imagery, Jesus says that if there were ninety-nine sheep in the pen, God would still be interested in that hundredth sheep that was lost.  Furthermore, Jesus called himself “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus came bearing the message that “God so loved the world that He was not willing that any should perish.”

The message of love and forgiveness that Jesus brought was truly broad in scope.  Notorious sinners were met by the forgiveness of God in Jesus.  But, there were also people who thought themselves too good for this unmerited acceptance that Jesus offered.  History’s greatest irony is that some of these men came to hate Jesus and plotted his death.

You Have a Choice to Make

Jesus reached out to persons before they were the persons that God  wanted them to be.  But He also called them to change.   Though God’s forgiveness is far-reaching, it also demands “repentance” -- a turning from ourselves and sin and a return to God.   How?  Jesus said to would-be disciples, “Come and follow me.” Jesus spoke in the voice of God:  “I am the way, the truth and the life;” and “I have come that you might have life to the full.”

The Spirit of the God who is love helps us to answer this invitation of Jesus to new, spiritual life lived in relationship with God.  To fail to heed this invitation is to remain in the deadness that is life separated from God.  The Bible says much is at stake.  The response is ours to make, but as we do respond God is ready to assist us each step of our journey with Him.  For us to be “good” or “spiritual” as God intends requires God’s help.

You Have a New Life to Live

What is this new spiritual life like?  The Bible has much to say about having “peace with God” and being “new creatures in Christ” and “walking in the light.” “Old things have passed away and the new has come.”  On the other hand, Christians still live in the world and still have trials and temptations.  The difference is that they no longer face these things alone.  They can turn to the God who gives them new strength.  They have learned through Jesus that God is their Heavenly Father.  He knows our weaknesses; He is patient and merciful; and His purpose is to help.

God’s intentions toward you have always been, and remain to this day, intentions of love and mercy.  In the Book of Jeremiah it says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”

The Christian way is larger than any attempt at summary.  But, if you would like more information, you are invited to contact Pastor Oliver at droliver@optonline.net. You might also like to read the full Articles of Faith of the Church of the Nazarene at www.nazarene.org.

Home | About Us | Beliefs | General Info | Community | Devotions | Prayer | What’s New

© 2001 Yorktown Church of the Nazarene. For information contact droliver@optonline.net