#2194 1018 15P

            The greatest responsibility facing every human being on earth, is the responsibility of accepting God’s Word; believing His plan for this life, and following that Word exactly as He has given it.  This is because God’s Word means exactly the same today, as the day it was spoken by Christ, or by any Spirit-inspired person in the Bible.

            God’s Word is a living Word that follows us through life to this very moment.  His Word means as much to us, as it would if God stood before us and told us in person.  This applies, however, to believing Christians who have repented of their sins, surrendered their life to God, put faith in His Word, and are letting Him prepare them for eternal life.

            The entire objective and activity of the Christian life, is to be under the teaching, guidance, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that we understand what the Word is saying, believe what is written, and then to actually live it out in our life.  We are to follow its directives exactly as given.

            God’s Word is not arbitrary [random] but orderly and rational concerning obedience; and it is not difficult to understand.  It contains full directions, sound advice, and a clear explanation of what to do regarding every circumstance of life.

            Since God loves us as He loves His only Son, and because He is eager to manifest His love, mercy, and power in our behalf, it stands to reason that He would give us the best advice regarding this life, and leading us to eternal life.  Because God is limitless in love, wisdom, and power, it could not be any other way.

            The beautiful part about this Word is, that to follow its directions; to do what it says; to put faith in it and meet every circumstance that arises according to the Word, enables us to receive the full benefits of the Atonement of Christ—which includes God’s protection; His peace; divine power; and all the spiritual wisdom we need to conduct our life according to the Word.

            The Word includes the plan for a deliverance out of any trouble we could be in.  There is no problem too difficult; no obligation too great; and no situation too complex that God’s Word does not explain how to get through it.  It is a wonderful privilege to have access to such advice from the God of love, mercy, and power.

            The only other plan and power concerning the problems of this life, is advice from the devil.  There are only two ways of living in the world—the Lord’s way and the devil’s way.  Everyone on earth is either under the control of one or the other—there is no neutral or middle position—either God or Satan is controlling our life.

            Satan’s advice comes through thoughts he places in our mind; and through people or false religions he uses as agents.  The devil’s advice is that we turn away from God and try to obtain what we would like to have in this life, by our own plans, power, procedures, or policies.  It is self’s way and Satan’s way of living—leaving God out of our life.

            God’s plan and advice is for us to depend on Him and His power, and to follow the instructions of His Word to have what is needed in life—it is the only plan that leads to Paradise.  When we accept God’s plan, it must be accepted as it is given in the Word—with no thought of going back to the ways of the world.  When God’s plan is followed, all the benefits of the Atonement Blood of Christ, can be ours to receive and enjoy.

            It is just as necessary to follow the directions of God’s Word, as it was for Jesus to give His life on the Cross.  That sacrifice enabled God to be with us.  Jesus would not have to die, if we do not have to put faith in His Word.  The Word is the only way to receive the benefit of God’s presence and power.

            God’s plan in His Word is a total plan for right living.  It covers every detail of our life.  Every word in the Bible has been inspired by God to be written for a specific purpose—so we could learn of His will and be prepared for His kingdom.  2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

            We are to accept this word as our guide of life; to be willing to take one step at a time—and be ready to learn lessons of trust on God, that will prove to be of far more value, and of far more spiritual benefit than anything else on earth.

            The Holy Spirit is a gift to believers—it is He who leads us into the full plan God has for this life—guiding us through the most minor to the most major issues we face.  He gives us the power; the understanding; and the strength to do what we have to do.  As we hold firm to our trust on God, and as we meet the various battles in a scriptural way, God will see that we are prepared for Heaven.

            Satan tries in every way possible to have us do something different from what the Word says to do; to put faith in some other plan.  He wants us to add something, or take away some principle of trust on God—anything that would ruin the divine plan God has for us.

            God was four thousand years preparing the New Testament—and His infinite wisdom would prepare it perfectly.  God’s wisdom and power is so far greater than any human mind or plan, that no one should ever think they could add something to His divine plan that would make it better—or that they could remove something to improve it.

            Some people in the Bible thought they knew more than God did, and that their plan was better than His plan.  The eventual result, however, was a fatal demise here, and the Lake of Fire forever.  There is an example of someone who paid no attention to God nor put any faith in His Word.  When the man passed away, he went to the Lake of Fire.

            He can see Abraham in Paradise—and the man was able to speak with Abraham, so the story could be given to us.  He called Luke 16:24 “‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’”

            Abraham could only say Luke 16:25 “‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.’”  The man had had his opportunity during life on earth, to escape the terrors of that horrible place, but he neglected the plan and put no faith in the Word.

            The unfortunate man makes a plea for his family—asking Abraham to send Lazarus Luke 16:28 “‘for I have five brothers.  Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment,’” but that also was denied.

            His brothers paid no attention to God’s Word, and they refused to take advantage of the opportunities God was giving them to learn lessons of faith and trust.  Abraham had to reply Luke 16:29, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them [Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to].”

            Those brothers and everyone on earth has the Word of God—the writings of Moses and the prophets—words like Jeremiah 29:13 “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”  God told Jeremiah 30:2, “Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.”  Jeremiah 30:17 “I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.”

            That is wonderful teaching and sound advice.  The Word of God can do all that—just by listening to what it says, believing the God who wrote it, and following the advice given therein.  If we will do that, we would be saved from the horrors of the flames.  If that was true in the Old Testament, it would certainly be in the New.

            The greatest responsibility facing everyone on earth, is the responsibility of accepting God’s Word; believing His plan for this life; putting faith in the Word, and following it verbatim—just as He had it written.  God does not ask anyone to understand anything about His Word with their own intellect; and He does not ask us to obey in our own strength—He supplies both!  The only thing He asks of us, is to be willing and to be final in our decision.

            These two things are vital, because God’s power cannot work, until our decisions are absolute.  Satan’s power works when our decisions are not final.  Whether God’s power controls our life; or Satan’s power controls it—the pivot point is right here—deciding to trust God in faith; or to follow the world in unbelief.

            Until our decision to put faith in God’s Word is without compromise, the devil will be able to work—and he will work.  Only God can open our eyes to see the Truth of His Word, because of ourselves we cannot hear, see, nor speak God’s Truth.  Nothing in this world can be allowed to turn us away from our trust on God—no thing or no one.

            The devil does not care two cents what we do or not do, just so long as we trust some human plan or power to do it.  God’s Word does not allow a pinhead of human power for us to depend on.  We are directed to trust God and God alone for everything, just like Israel had to in a desert.

            The whole teaching of the Bible is contained in single verse.  It is amazing how much truth God can put in one verse.  We are not to be upset or worried about anything—once we have placed the matter into God’s hands.  Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

            We are to tell God all about the problem, and not listen to the lies of the devil.  Everything that would make us upset, worried, and unhappy—past, present, or future—is directly from the devil.  When we give our attention to the devil’s thoughts, we are turning our back on the living God.  It is taking advice from our worst enemy, but not listening to the advice of our best Friend.

            The immediate result of placing our faith in God’s Word, obeying it, and doing what it says, is an inner peace and rest that the world cannot understand, nor enjoy.  Philippians 4:7 “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”