Friday, 14 January 2011

• The Relevance of the Bible to Modern Culture (Part Five)

  So, to conclude, I’ve related the Bible as the antithesis of modern culture. The removal of truth from the forefront of society has removed the existence of sin and its negative consequences. Also I talked about solving the problem of sin, that is, through Jesus Christ.

  For all of his life the cripple would sit outside the temple at Solomon’s Portico begging for money all his life hoping to get enough money to survive another night. He lived off the generosity of the templegoers who gathered from all over Israel to praise God. He had been there all his life and maybe even Jesus passed by him in his ministry without healing him. The disciples came to the temple that day, they had nothing to give a lame cripple. The cripple didn’t ask to be healed from his infirmities; all he asked was for money.

  “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk””

  He was healed immediately. He was given the thing that matters most, and that one thing was the only thing that could fill him with wonder, wonder that lasts. So often we don't know what we needed till we have it. We might not be seeking God, but God has a way of calling back his elect though as far we may wander. Too often I find myself, looking to small things to define me, when the bigger reality gives perspective to our everyday lives.
  

  When we relate the Bible as relevant to our everyday (true) needs and our sins, we will find relevance. Applying the bible to petty and perishable things that moth can eat will only leave us wanting more. That is why I am so against a prosperity gospel in the church, applying the gospel that God will provide us with earthly is grossly understating the value of the gospel. Unless prosperity is indelibly coupled with the gift of eternal life given to us through Jesus Christ, having all the money in this life is meaningless. In fact, focusing on it too much counter-productive to our faith.

  What the prosperity gospel is what we experience everyday. We focus on what is not important and what is not relevant to eternity. The very thing that is of utmost obscurity, Jesus of Nazareth, as the Bible talks about is the cure and the medicine to our live, dead in transgressions. "You say “ I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize you are wretched pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3v.17)

  Through the performance of the miracle, the only action of the cripple was to leap in joy and contentment. Such is the same effect of God’s Word in our lives, if we are filled with the Living Word, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. He will fill us and we will never thirst again for anything again.

  “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me, hear me that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David." (Isaiah 55v.1-3)

  How have the scriptures been relevant in your life? In what ways is scripture timeless?

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