LEARNING TO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG

Back in the days of the Judges of Israel it was said that “everyone did what was right in their own eyes,”(a) and the obvious implication is -“that wasn’t a good thing.” That is pretty much what most people in today’s society do - they live by their own rules. Our all-wise Creator God foresaw that problem and made provision to prepare and equip His people to do every good work through His inspired Word.

When today’s promise says, “All Scripture is inspired by God,” it is referring to both the Old and the New Testaments. “Inspired” literally means “God breathed.” The Holy Spirit of God breathed His Word into the minds and hearts of prophets and apostles, who wrote it down over a period of many years. Those Holy Scriptures embody everything believers need - to know God and live a God honoring life.

The Bible is useful to teach us what is true.(b) It teaches us that God is absolutely without any sin, and must bring judgment on sin, which results in eternal death for everything sinful. It teaches that we are under God’s judgment because we were born with a sinful nature, and so naturally we sin. But God in His love sent His sinless Son Jesus to become one of us – to die on the cross and rise again so we can have eternal life instead of eternal death – which means separation from God. I knew this truth from childhood, but at age 21 I acknowledged that I was a sinner and personally accepted Jesus as my Savior, and by God’s grace, like most of you, I have eternal life instead of eternal death!!

Scripture also makes us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.(c) Several weeks ago I had decided to do something, which in and of itself was a good deed. However, when the topic of right motives was discussed in Pastor Jared’s Sunday School Class, God’s Word convicted me. I clearly could see that my motive was a selfish one. I decided then and there I would do the “good deed” in a way that would not draw attention to myself. God’s Word pointed out my error and set me straight. It’s not up to us to decide what we want to call right or wrong. Our sinful heart doesn’t have the ability or authority to make such decisions. So God in His love and wisdom has given us His Word to clearly teach us what is right and wrong.

God uses His Word to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.(d) Though issues come up in today’s world, which are not specifically addressed in the Scriptures – basic principles in God’s Word cover every possible issue. Whether it is family - church – life – death – money – service – neighbors – government, etc., etc. Guiding principles to prepare and equip us for every good work are in His Word! That’s why we need to know it and live by it!!


Let’s Pray-
Oh Father, we are so grateful for your Holy Word. It indeed is bread and life to us. Thank you for revealing yourself and your ways through your written and living Word. Help us to feed on it daily and follow its guiding light.
Amen


Footnotes:
(a) Judges 17:6, (b) 2 Timothy 3:16a NLT - (c) 3:16b – (d) 3:17



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