22/12/13

Thy Word is True

Psalms 119:160 - Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.


The greatest hurdle that stops people from understanding the Bible is the Bible being split into 2 parts i.e. Old Testament and New Testament. Many Christians rarely touch or study the Old Testament; they think it is not valid or relevant after Jesus came. The reason given is that Jesus came with a New Covenant, a Better Covenant, a Covenant of Grace etc... Yes Jesus did bring in a better Covenant, a Covenant of grace, but understand it still sits on the previous Covenant and only changes the consequence of the Covenant.

We need to understand Covenants were made with seven persons - Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Moses and lastly Jesus. The promise given to Noah still stands and was fulfilled through Jesus, same with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Moses. What we can say is the Covenant was perfected, not that the problem was with the Covenant but the problem lied with man who is party to the Covenant, since man could not keep the Covenant God bettered the Covenant so that man could abide by it and receive its promises.

If one really studies the books of the Bible one will understand it is impossible to know Christ without the Old Testament. To prove He was the Messiah we have to quote scriptures from the Old Testament (about 300+ of them are there). To know what Jesus achieved for us by His sacrifice we have to go to the Old Testament and without it, it is impossible to do so. Peter wrote by His wounds we are healed only be understanding the scriptures from the book of Moses, so also Paul wrote that our curses are broken by Jesus' hanging on the cross by understanding scriptures from the books of Moses.

Jesus quoted scriptures from the Old Testament to teach and also to confirm His mission. Paul taught the people from the Old Testament and what He taught was all about Jesus Christ. Paul proved Jesus was Christ through the Old Testament that is why the Jews believed Him.

What causes people to hesitate to abide by the Old Testament is the violence done by the Israelites who were called people of God, on the other hand Jesus shows an opposite picture.

We need to understand the Israelites (Jews) never understood or truly abided by God's instructions. God was rarely happy with them and most of the time they experienced the wrath of God. We see this clearly is words of people like Stephen, Paul and also Jesus. They would take the name of Jehovah / Yahweh but would worship some other god/gods. This is seen even today with the Jews. Israel as a country has a national flag that has a star (in blue) on it and the Jews are ignorant of what / Who it symbolizes. Even though they have this symbol lifted up yet what they lift up is something else.

Today's message tells us the Word of God is true. It does not say part of the Word is true and the other part isn't, it says the whole Word is true. It also says everything that God did is justified and right and an example for ever.



[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You and your Word never changes. It was before what it is today and Jesus Christ showed us how to understand your Word the right way through His teachings as documented in the Gospels. Lord, You have given us your Spirit of Truth and your Spirit reveals the Word for the Spirit reveals You unto us. Lord, we pray your people forsake the teachings of man and listen to your Spirit...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
John 6:54 - Whoso eateth my flesh [Message], and drinketh my blood [Sacrifice], hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 5:39 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Romans 16:26 - But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

1 Corinthians 15:3 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Mark 12:24 - And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Mark 14:49 - I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

Luke 24:45 - Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures

Acts 17:2 - And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 18:28 - For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Romans 1:2 - (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Matthew 5:18 - For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)