It's Alive...

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews IV:12

One of the things I like most about reading the Scripture is that it's alive. It speaks in ways that ring different to my soul, and convicts me like nothing else I've ever known. When I am left to my own self examination I am caught up in a wave of self pity and condemnation. Dismay is a word that would properly describe the thoughts that are often associated it with my depression. But the word of God is so the very opposite of my thinking. It corrects my thinking, it strips the errors of my mind and replenishes my head with God's thoughts. It is when I am not in the Scripture that I begin to think and feel and worry myself with what goes in the world about me. And even when I am shrinking away from God the Scripture speaks truth into my life and redirects me towards my Maker.

The Bible teaches that God in is holy wisdom, made man in his very image. A finite creature would become responsible for bearing the very image of the Living God and have a relationship with Him. Man chose rather to defy the authority of God and live his own life, in all the same way we often live our lives today. As a result God frustrated the hearts of man in regards to our relationships, with animals, each other and even God himself. The same holy God could not have anything to do with the things that are in contradiction to himself, ie that which is unholy. But as a loving God, He chose to not leave us in our depravity but in His master plan was going to provide a way for us to be reunited to the original purpose.

His plan, being Jesus himself, came to earth teaching some very frustrating things,

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,a and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell."

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew V:20-22; 27-28

This is frustrating because if moral perfection is the means by which we get to heaven, then all of us are guilty and worthy of Hell. Even if we could clean up our lives and turn from all sin and live a "moral" life... we could still do nothing to clear the guilt of our past, a past we are still very much responsible for. Matthew V:20-22; 27-28

Why would God frustrate us? To draw us closer to Himself. This life is not impossible with Jesus, only alone is living well, by His standards, a very impossible thing to do.

In my sin I seek to hide myself, sin always causes isolation, but the word of God brings the light of God into my heart and reveals the darkness therein. But this is never to my despair, the Light loving leads me to repentance.

Thank you Jesus for giving us Your word, for caring enough about your creation to not leave us in the dark as to your character and will, but choosing rather to reveal yourself to us through this book. I ask that You open eyes that are shut, ears that are deaf, and hearts that are stone cold and bring life back into the dead. I pray for myself in this as well, i know how much i need you, but i am so easily entertained by the world that i live in, draw close to me father, be my ever present help when I'm in trouble.

Amen.