Is my life Scripture-driven? More specifically, is the thought, action or word which I am contemplating Scripture-driven? Not belief-driven, not church creed-driven, and not even goal or purpose-driven. Is it Scripture-driven? I'm simply letting you see how God has been directing my thoughts in recent days. It is absolutely astounding how many things can fall through scriptural cracks, merely by what I will call "Christian rote". There was a day when I thought of sin as anything apart from God and His Word. Well, I still believe that today, but the distinctions have changed dramatically. Formerly, sin seemed to me to be more in the category of those things obvious and external. As God chisels my heart to love Him more and more, those things still remain sin, however, the less obvious and internal ones have moved to the top of the 'list', because they require such constant awareness for their presence. It grieves me deeply to think of my former outer rebellion as an unbeliever, but it grieves me even more when I recognize the ugly horns of rebellion and self-will in my life as a blood-bought, redeemed child of God.
- What other reason than rebellion would account for my refusing to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, which is so clearly taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5?
- What, other than selfishness would cause me to order my steps by emotion or circumstance rather than according to God's Holy Word, seen in Psalm 119:133?
- How, other than a flagrant lack of submission to my Sovereign Savior, would I ever personally anticipate or expect the glory that belongs to God, alone, described in Matthew 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:31?
These all drive me to repentance, but the subsequent matter of restructure is also critical to victory. Ephesians 4:22-24 helps me to understand that following regeneration, the transposition of old ways to new ways comes only through the power of the Spirit as my mind is renewed by the Word of God. Scripture must DRIVE me and be the determining factor in every aspect of my life if it is to glorify God!
Psalm 119:11 assures me that as I hide God's Word in my heart, I have God's grace to keep me from sinning. Some possible examples:
1. Special music is sung, and the old nature thought starts to come that I wish I could sing like that, but God brings 2 Corinthians 10:18 to my mind, reminding me that He has set me in the body as it pleases Him.
Suddenly, I thank God for the beauty of the song, and the singer for allowing God to glorify Himself.
2. I am treated unkindly, and the old nature thought of verbal retaliation starts to come, but God brings Proverbs 15:1 to my mind, reminding me that a soft answer turns away wrath, and 1 Peter 2:20-24, reminding me of the model of Jesus Christ in difficult situations. Therefore, I extend the kindness and grace to them that God has given to me.
3. I am unsuccessfully seeking a parking place during evening rush hour traffic. I'm very tired, and start to feel frustrated, when I see a car backing out right in front of me, and God lovingly reminds me from
1 Corinthians 10:13 that He has promised to make a way of escape that I might be able to bear every trial. So, as I pull into the spot provided by God, I thank Him for the fulfillment of His promise.
These just barely scratch the surface, but as I think through multiple other aspects of life, I am committed to being Scripture - driven! I hope you are, too.
(C) 2014 N.A.Collins Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
- What other reason than rebellion would account for my refusing to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, which is so clearly taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5?
- What, other than selfishness would cause me to order my steps by emotion or circumstance rather than according to God's Holy Word, seen in Psalm 119:133?
- How, other than a flagrant lack of submission to my Sovereign Savior, would I ever personally anticipate or expect the glory that belongs to God, alone, described in Matthew 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:31?
These all drive me to repentance, but the subsequent matter of restructure is also critical to victory. Ephesians 4:22-24 helps me to understand that following regeneration, the transposition of old ways to new ways comes only through the power of the Spirit as my mind is renewed by the Word of God. Scripture must DRIVE me and be the determining factor in every aspect of my life if it is to glorify God!
Psalm 119:11 assures me that as I hide God's Word in my heart, I have God's grace to keep me from sinning. Some possible examples:
1. Special music is sung, and the old nature thought starts to come that I wish I could sing like that, but God brings 2 Corinthians 10:18 to my mind, reminding me that He has set me in the body as it pleases Him.
Suddenly, I thank God for the beauty of the song, and the singer for allowing God to glorify Himself.
2. I am treated unkindly, and the old nature thought of verbal retaliation starts to come, but God brings Proverbs 15:1 to my mind, reminding me that a soft answer turns away wrath, and 1 Peter 2:20-24, reminding me of the model of Jesus Christ in difficult situations. Therefore, I extend the kindness and grace to them that God has given to me.
3. I am unsuccessfully seeking a parking place during evening rush hour traffic. I'm very tired, and start to feel frustrated, when I see a car backing out right in front of me, and God lovingly reminds me from
1 Corinthians 10:13 that He has promised to make a way of escape that I might be able to bear every trial. So, as I pull into the spot provided by God, I thank Him for the fulfillment of His promise.
These just barely scratch the surface, but as I think through multiple other aspects of life, I am committed to being Scripture - driven! I hope you are, too.
(C) 2014 N.A.Collins Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
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