MONDAY 12th DECEMBER 1983

GUIDANCE AND THE BIBLE

Reading:  2 Timothy 3: 16-17                  English - Monica Chinese - Raymond

16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 17 It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.

COMMENTARY        -   Viane

THE Bible is a living book, inspired by a living God, and written by real-life people. It was given as God's primary means of guiding us through life. Yet many Christians wonder just how it fulfills this function. They say, "But I can't find a verse that tells me whom I should marry, what vocation I should pursue, or where I should live." And they are right; the Bible is not an encyclopaedia of ready-made answers for many of life's decisions. How then does the Scripture serve as our guide?

In his book Knowing God, J. I. Packer says, "The basic form of divine guidance... is a presentation to us of positive ideals as guidelines for all living. 'Be the kind of person that Jesus was'; 'Seek this virtue, and this one, and this one, and practise them up to the limit'; 'Know your responsibilities-husbands, to your wives; wives, to your husbands; parents, to your children; all of you to all your fellow Christians and your fellowmen; know them and seek strength constantly to discharge them' —this is how God guides us through the Bible, as any student of the Psalms, the Proverbs, the prophets, the Sermon on the Mount, and the ethical parts of the epistles will soon discover."

It stands to reason, then, that a continual exposure to the Scriptures through reading, meditating, and studying will shape our lifestyle and enable us to "think God's thoughts after Him." Yes, the more we read the Bible and become the persons God wants us to be, the clearer will be the path He wants us to follow.                                                    — D.J.D.

NEWS

PRAYER (say together)
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a good companion and a wonderful guide, the Bible.  Help us to rely upon your Words to shape our lifestyle.  In Jesus' Name we pray  A-men