The Whole Thing!

On the front page of The Peninsula Daily News (Jefferson County, WA edition, December 31, 2010) was an article titled "Whole Constitution To Be Read Aloud In Congress." House Republicans have put this in place; something never done in the 221 year history of Congress. The article stated, "They then will require that every bill contain a statement by the author citing the constitutional authority to enact the proposed law." Based on the outcry of many voters prior to our last election, this is an effort to get back to what the founding principles of the constitution laid out. Why should that seem like a novel idea? As I read the article I thought it was a "no brainer." Of course every decision of our elected officials should be based on the basic principles contained in the U.S. Constitution. However, there seems to be a degree of either ignorance or misunderstanding of what those principles are.

When it comes to making life decisions, the same focus should be considered to even a greater degree when it comes to the PRINCIPLES of Scripture. Not only do those PRINCIPLES relate to life now, but also to life eternal. Every "church" and every "Christian" ought to read THE WHOLE BIBLE seeking to know THE FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS on which our life is to be built up. However, the direction many are going seems to imply either a misunderstanding, misinterpretation, ignorance of, or a blatant refusal to accept the SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY for what is done in the name of Christianity.

The struggle has been around for a very long time. Even the nation of Israel struggled with a lack of understanding of the Mosaic Law under which they were to live. At the time of King Josiah, the book of the Law had actually been lost. ( 2 Chronicles 34:14-21) Upon its discovery Josiah repentantly led the nation back to a focus on God and His Will. ( 2 Chronicles 34:29-33)

If we are truly seeking to please God and be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we must base our life and activity in the church not on our own desires, but on the AUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD! His commands and principles are not to be set aside or forgotten. They are to remain the foundation for all we do. That is why every year I read through the WHOLE BOOK and encourage others to do the same.

One of the psalmists declared. . .
"YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH." ( Psalm 119:105 ESV)

And Paul exhorted Timothy. . .
"(15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH." ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

We need the daily guidance God's Word can provide. If we do not rightly handle it our life will not be handled rightly either. Though we presently live under Christ and not the Mosaic Law, the WHOLE BOOK is still worth reading. Throughout the Scriptures we see the manner in which God has always sought for mankind to live so as to received the greatest blessings now and even more so in the eternity He has planned for us. As we have begun a new year, let us live with the resolve to base our decisions on the Will God has revealed through His Word. It is the only solid foundation for security through the storms of life. ( Matthew 7:24-25)

Have a great day BASING LIFE CHOICES ON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD!
Carl

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