What words come to mind when you hear the term theology? Dry…Dreary…Doubtful…DULL? You’re not alone.
Too often we don’t realize that theology—thinking about God—is an intimate part of our everyday lives, rather than something that takes place in ivory towers crowded with bearded men crouched over dusty books. We each engage in theology because we each have a set of beliefs about God. But rather than being content with our ideas about God as they now stand, we should each have a desire to know God better than we do today. If you’ve got that desire, then you’re ready to do theology!
Let these resources point the way to a faith more deeply connected with who God actually says He is.
What about our mentoring, counselling, and discipleship? If we believe Scripture is powerful, we ought to make it central to any solution we offer. Is our confidence in methods, systems, theories, and philosophies, or is our confidence in God’s Word?
The word translated “inspired” in 2 Timothy 3:16 literally means “God-breathed” and expresses the concept of exhalation by God. The Scriptures are the product of God having breathed them out.
Before you write this off as applying to anyone but yourself, take a long, hard look at your own life. The goal of superstition is bondage. Remember that. If anything in your Christianity has you in bondage, it is probable that superstition is the breeding ground.
According to the Bible, God is there, and He has not been silent. He has made Himself known to us. That act and process is called “revelation,” a word meaning to unveil or uncover what was previously hidden, and making known what had been secret.
Sometimes the “light at the end of the tunnel” is seen when we choose to examine what Scripture reveals about life rather than how quickly we can remove our pain. The New Testament book of James is a great place to begin.
Every Christian must leap over two hurdles on the path of spiritual growth. First, Christians must take God at His Word that they are fully forgiven of their sins. Second, Christians must unburden themselves from the scruples of legalistic Christians.
Jesus said a number of things that, at face value, lead us to believe that with faith we can do anything. That all sounds great but there seems to be another side to this that suggests even with faith, we can’t do everything.
Take this simple true of false quiz. If you answered “true” to any of these questions, you've been deceived by the ancient heresy of Gnosticism.
Several principles are worth remembering. First, no one person has all the truth. Second, no single church owns exclusive rights to your mind. Third, no specific interpretation is correct just because a gifted teacher says so.
God sees and knows our shortcomings. And that is why we daily need His undeserved favour—grace. In spite of us, His infinite love is unconditional. Our relationship to God is not based on our perfection, but on Christ’s.
Sign up to receive Chuck Swindoll’s Daily Devotional in your inbox seven days per week.
Insight for Living is committed to excellence in communicating the truths of Scripture and the Person of Jesus Christ in an accurate, clear, and practical manner so that people will come to an understanding of God’s plan for their lives, as well as their significant role as authentic Christians in a needy, hostile, and desperate world.
1-30445 Progressive Way • Abbotsford, BC • V2T 6W3
info@insightforliving.ca
1.800.663.7639