Being told by a dear one a few years ago, that she didn't need a book to tell her how to live a good life, I can't stop thinking that contained in the Bible is rich and perfect guidance that no human could come up with alone. There are parables to answer any situation's dilemma and a clear-cut rule of how to conduct ourselves on a daily basis. Yes, one can be good from life's experiences, knowing what outcomes to avoid and when to duck from trouble or danger; but the wisdom behind these lessons gives depth and encouragement.
The first reading from the Old Testament Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 calls out to us to be humble and seek the Lord, to seek justice, humility and hope to be sheltered from the Lord's anger. That God will leave a
people humble, trustworthy to care for us. Psalm 146 concretes how the Lord cares for His people. The Old Testament readings are calling out to us the Lord loves us and will care for us.
The New Testament answers the Old Testament in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 that WE are those humble and common people chosen, not by our brains, wisdom, money, or place in society, to care for our brothers and sisters; and that we need to give all the glory to God. For it is not by us or any human effort that chose us, no merit of ours brought us here, just God. For the pure reason that no one is better over another, all gifts are from God alone!
To further this, Jesus teaches how we are to live, how we will be rewarded by our lives, what is expected of us. The Beatitudes are our go-to rules of the road and fearlessly we can tread along with this book under our arm and faith in our hearts that God has provided for us.
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven."
4 comments:
People ignore the Bible at their own peril.
I agree with kkollwitz. To say one does not need the Bible is to say that one does not need the 10 Commandments, the Two Great Commandments or the Beatitudes. How else would we know how God wants us to live except for the Bible? I think the attitude behind the statement is, "I'll do whatever I want and nobody can tell me otherwise." Not good for a happy life.
Thanks to you both for your comments. Possibly we can get things to turn around.
Blessings!
"Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Prov. 1:7
If we don't start at the beginning, how will the end find us?
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