Let the message of Christ dwell among you …
Summary: Reading the Bible is fun. Even the simplest little thing seems to open the door to endless insights about our God and his Word.
Each of these meditations is an invitation to join in our journey of exploration. We embrace God’s written Word at face value. We believe that God is real and that if he could make the world and everything in it, he could get a book published, too.
Coming at the Bible this way, we seek to avoid arguments about what people believe about the Bible, and instead, we look to understand and enjoy the message of Christ as it has been handed down over the centuries.
I realize that this is not as fun as making up your own theology and then trying to badger people into accepting what you teach. Church teachings, called “doctrines,” would have more credibility if there were fewer arguments about them.
Instead, people make up reasons to argue.
It is sad, really, and such a waste of time.
The message of Christ is the Word of God combined with the power of the Holy Spirit. When we open our minds to God’s Word and open our hearts to his Holy Spirit, amazing things happen.
Imagine a world (or a church) where we don’t put up roadblocks to the message of Christ!
Imagine letting the message of Christ dwell among us.
And what is that message?
Honestly, it is a bit confusing.
God has a long history of trying to get his point across to people.
Adam and Eve didn’t get it.
Abel got it, but Cain didn’t.
Noah got it, but his son, Ham, missed the point.
Job had a good relationship with God, but he struggled to understand the connection between God’s blessings and his testing.
Moses got it … most of the time. God gave Moses the law, and Moses gave the law to the Israelites. (John 1:17)
The Israelites were the people of God, and even they didn’t really understand it.
Jesus came, and people argued about whether he was the Christ or not.
The Pharisees totally missed the boat and arranged for Jesus to be killed.
Pilate got it. At least he knew something was up with Jesus.
Even the disciples who spent three years with Jesus didn’t understand …
… until Jesus sent the Holy Spirit.
Then, the message of Christ came alive and dwelled among us.
Application: Listen to the Holy Spirit.
Food for Thought: Are we saved by what we know or who we know? Explain your answer.
Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.
We are saved through Christ. His sinless sacrifice. Our salvation is not dependent on ourselves, or anyone that we know. What we know, or even think we know, or who we think we know, does not save us. When we stand before God on the Day of Judgement, it will be Christ that advocates on our behalf. It will be Christ that says “I have paid the debt.”
What we know is the means by which we find belief, and by belief, we are given faith. I know that I had knowledge of Christ for many years, but never acted on that knowledge. It wasn’t until I placed my faith in Christ that I felt God’s presence in my life. In placing our faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family. Faith is active and placing our faith in Christ is active. We become new creations in Christ, and grow in His Spirit. I know when I was younger, I used to think being saved meant being saved from damnation. Whereas that is also true, being saved means being saved from sin. That I am no longer a slave to sin. That through His power, I am able to turn from sin and live in His Spirit.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
If I memorized the entire Bible, it would not save me. If I traveled back in time and followed Paul around it would not save me. If I make Christ Lord of my life, He is the One who will save me. My works in His name will not save me, but they will serve to bring me to greater obedience to Him, bringing me closer to Him. Others will see Christ living in me.
James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Thank you, Chris!
I like your examples!! Especially — “If I traveled back in time and followed Paul around …”
What a thought!
And I agree … that would not save us. Only Jesus does that!
Thanks CH. Great comments and verses.
To me, I think the answer is both. God did give us His revealed and inspired word and it is useful (2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17). It is through the gospel message that we hear, respond and are saved (Romans 1: 16 – 17; Romans 10: 17; Ephesians 1: 13 – 14).
But knowing the gospel is not the same as trusting God and entering into a relationship with Him based on faith. So we do have His revealed word that contains the gospel and has power for salvation. But we need to respond by entering into a saving relationship with Christ. Our desire should be to know Him and not just about Him (Philippians 3: 7 – 14).
As it has been said, it is great to know the book, but even better to know the Author.
Another way to look at this is a missionary who goes to tell people about Christ wants people to be saved by knowing Christ and trusting in Him. But the missionaries tool is the written word of Scripture and will often spend years translating that word. It is like a mountain climber who wants to climb a mountain. That is the goal. But there are tools such as rope and appropriate shoes that help him get there.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes — “But knowing the gospel is not the same as trusting God …”
So true!
Very well said Chris and Rich!
Are we saved by what we know or who we know? Explain your answer.
In the wilderness, as the return of Moses was delayed by God, the children of Israel made the choice to build an image of god according to their imaginations and resources of gold which they melted down and with their hands formed a golden calf, which they declared to be their Gods who had delivered them from the Egyptians. The following morning, they rose early, sacrificed burnt offerings, and indulged in revelry. Exodus 32:1-6
God blotted the names of all who worshipped the image they had created, out of His book. Exodus 32:33
Jesus tells us: On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:22-23
By the power revelation/conviction of the Holy Spirit, the salvation of believers is secured, the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. John 16:1-11
Our salvation is the process of turning from a life directed by our will, as we turn to true life in growing submission to Gods will and His power as HE ministers through us, to this world around us. All believers have chosen to receive and live life according to the revelations of God which He has placed in our hearts.
Ephesians 2:8-9, FOR IT IS BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, THROUGH FAITH AND THIS IS NOT FROM YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD NOT BY WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST.
John 14:6, JESUS ANSWERED, I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.
Amen, Ron!
Thank God for Jesus! 🙂 Through him is the path to life.