God’s Truth
God’s Truth
isn’t meant to be
restricted
to academic theologians
experienced pastors
and seminary presidents.
It was given to us
by God
for sweet little girls
mischievous little boys
teenagers finding their way
busy housewives
plumbers
salesman
clerks and
baristas
lonely grandmas
successful executives
homeless wanderers
university students
the fearful
the discouraged
the anxious,
every person
searching for what only God
can give.
God’s Truth
is meant for
the hallways
bedrooms
family rooms
board rooms
university rooms
apartment rooms
supermarkets
backyards
garages
and vans
of everyday life.
God’s Truth
is meant to be
personal
relational
applicational
connected to
everyone
everywhere
in everyday life.
Theology in the hands
of God
is meant to
rescue
convict
reconcile
transform
empower
deliver
and
shape you into the
image of the
Son.
There is no doctrine
that is meant only for the
spiritual elite
the biblical intellectual
the professional Christian.
Every truth,
no matter how
full
deep
expansive and
mind-bending,
is meant to be a
tool of grace
in the life of everyone
who has been
infected
by the pandemic of
sin.
God has no favorites
doesn’t talk in
secrets.
He speaks in
human language
gifts us with the
Spirit
to illumine
his truth
so willing hearts can
see
hear
meditate and
understand.
When the Savior speaks
life happens,
life we could never
earn or
deserve
but is only ever
a gift of grace.
His truth is his
medicine
comfort
light
guardrails
oasis
sword.
His instruction is like
diamonds
warnings like
gold
comforts like
rubies
promises like
jewels.
The spiritually poor
who listen
become rich,
the spiritually lost
who follow
find their way.
The doctrines of his
Word
are one of his richest
gifts of grace,
freely given to anyone
who will come near
and listen,
meditate and
believe.
God’s Truth
is always accompanied by
God’s Grace,
and for all of us,
that means there is
hope.
God isn’t just after your mind; he’s after your heart. The doctrines of the word of God are not intended just to lay claim to your brain but to radically alter the way you live. The primary purpose of theology is not information but transformation.
God’s Truth is meant to turn you inside out and your world upside down. Doctrine is much more than an outline you give confessional assent to. Biblical theology is something you live in, even the smallest and most mundane moments of your life.
God’s plan is that when the rain of God’s Truth falls on us, it will change us—not that we will become better renditions of ourselves, but that we will become spiritually different than we were before.
God’s Truth is meant to transform your identity, alter your relationships, and reshape your finances. It’s intended to change the way you think and talk, how you approach your job, how you conduct yourself in time of leisure, how you act in your marriage, and the things you do as a parent. It’s meant to change the way you think about your past, interpret the present, and view the future.
As the rain of God’s Truth pours down, angry people become peacemakers, greedy people become givers, demanding people become servants, lustful people become pure, faithless people become believers, proud people become humble, rebels become obedient people, and idolaters become worshipers of God.
The truths found within the Word of God are a beautiful gift to us from a God of amazing grace. They are not burdensome, life-constricting beliefs. No, they impart new life and new freedom. They quiet your soul and give courage to your heart. They make you wiser than you had the natural potential to be, and they replace your complaining heart with one that worships with joy.
God unfolds the mysteries of his truth to you because he loves you. He is the giver of life, and every page in his word plants seeds of life in your heart. As those seeds take root and grow, you, too, will grow and change.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11)
A Prayer for Today: God, help me to hunger for your Truth. May my study of your Word never be limited to just an intellectual or academic exercise but a daily pursuit of heart and life transformation. Shine the light of your Word on the areas where the darkness of sin still remains. Send your Spirit to give me the humility to accept where change is needed. Comfort me with the truth that I am accepted and justified in Christ and remind me that there is nothing that could be exposed about me that hasn’t already been covered entirely by the blood of Jesus. And may my joy and love for you and your Word overflow as I share what I have learned with others. Amen.
Discussion Prompt for Children
• What is your favorite book to read (or that I read to you?) What do you love about that book?
• Did you know that God wrote a Book, too, and that he wrote it because he loves you? How does the Bible show that God loves us?
• Reading the Bible should be one of the most exciting activities in our lives, but it’s not always. Why should it excite us? What are some other things in life that should be less important but sometimes appear more exciting?
Reflection Questions
1. Do you ever feel unqualified or underqualified to study the Word? In what ways might this be an attack from the enemy to prevent you from reading the Bible?
2. What are some ways that you can become a better student of Scripture? Are you taking the time to invest in these resources or are you distracted and consumed by lesser things?
3. What has God recently revealed to you in the Bible that requires confession and repentance? Are you coming up with excuses or justification for your sin?
4. How has Scripture created transformation in you over time? Reflect on how you have grown and matured in Christ because of the ministry of the Word. Praise God for his faithfulness in changing you!