Word@Work Eph46 - Ephesians 4:20-21
Published: Fri, 11/28/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
Ephesians 4:20-21 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. (NIV)
Jesus is simply so different! He is the complete opposite of the corruption and sleaze of the world, the broken promises and sharp trading. He is righteous and pure, faithful and true. That is why it is not possible to get to know Jesus through the wisdom of the world which, at best, is a pale reflection of Christian ethics, but without the power to keep on doing what is right. Yesterday's reading (Ephesians 4:17-19) showed the world's way to be in darkness, ignorance, hard-heartedness, with an overdose of misdirected sensuality. The Jesus' way is light, truth, tender-heartedness and self control.
This radical change is experienced by those who come to know the real Jesus. But not to the mystics (who imagine who Jesus might be), nor to the philosophers (who construct a Jesus out of what they would like him to be); but the Jesus of the Bible. It was this straightforward teaching that the Apostle Paul specialised in as he showed how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Christ, in a way that was completely consistent with His life (and death and resurrection) story. True Christian belief is founded only on what the Bible says about Jesus. Despite the vivid imagination of highly paid modern authors, there is no other reliable evidence except in the Bible.
That is why so many religious discussions go round in circles, if Bible truth is not central. Innumerable testimony stories loose their cutting edge when separated from an unveiling of the real Jesus in Scripture. The Christian challenge to the world is not to admire or reduplicate a believer's experience, but to find out the character of Jesus from the Bible. Workplace Christian groups will do well to encourage their presently-unbelieving colleagues to discuss what the Bible actually says. Explaining the truth about Jesus is the key to salvation, wisdom, discipleship, a holy lifestyle and peace with God. It all starts with a decision to do it when the Lord opens the opportunity.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I need Your help to explain, from the Bible, who Jesus Christ is. Help me to read the Bible each day with a view to sharing what it says during the day. And please give me the confidence to believe that You will help me, and when I don't know the answers to questions to admit ignorance and show a willingness to find out. In Jesus Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Jesus is simply so different! He is the complete opposite of the corruption and sleaze of the world, the broken promises and sharp trading. He is righteous and pure, faithful and true. That is why it is not possible to get to know Jesus through the wisdom of the world which, at best, is a pale reflection of Christian ethics, but without the power to keep on doing what is right. Yesterday's reading (Ephesians 4:17-19) showed the world's way to be in darkness, ignorance, hard-heartedness, with an overdose of misdirected sensuality. The Jesus' way is light, truth, tender-heartedness and self control.
This radical change is experienced by those who come to know the real Jesus. But not to the mystics (who imagine who Jesus might be), nor to the philosophers (who construct a Jesus out of what they would like him to be); but the Jesus of the Bible. It was this straightforward teaching that the Apostle Paul specialised in as he showed how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Christ, in a way that was completely consistent with His life (and death and resurrection) story. True Christian belief is founded only on what the Bible says about Jesus. Despite the vivid imagination of highly paid modern authors, there is no other reliable evidence except in the Bible.
That is why so many religious discussions go round in circles, if Bible truth is not central. Innumerable testimony stories loose their cutting edge when separated from an unveiling of the real Jesus in Scripture. The Christian challenge to the world is not to admire or reduplicate a believer's experience, but to find out the character of Jesus from the Bible. Workplace Christian groups will do well to encourage their presently-unbelieving colleagues to discuss what the Bible actually says. Explaining the truth about Jesus is the key to salvation, wisdom, discipleship, a holy lifestyle and peace with God. It all starts with a decision to do it when the Lord opens the opportunity.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I need Your help to explain, from the Bible, who Jesus Christ is. Help me to read the Bible each day with a view to sharing what it says during the day. And please give me the confidence to believe that You will help me, and when I don't know the answers to questions to admit ignorance and show a willingness to find out. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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