It is mankind’s lot to grapple with the complexities of life in a world broken by human sin.
We are inhabitants of a world, a “creation subjected to futility … (yet to be) delivered from the bondage of corruption” (Romans 8:20-21). Humans are part of the problem, being sinners (Romans 3:23) who are led astray by “all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) leading us to eternal death, or separation from God (Romans 6:23). How do we navigate safely through life in such a challenging environment to gain the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23)?
Christians believe that all of existence, including all life, have their origin in God’s act of creation. It is reasonable to believe that our Creator will provide a guidebook to help us in our journey of life. We would expect this of an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-loving Creator who is evidenced in His creation (Romans 1:19-20; Psalm 19:1-4). Indeed, He declares that He desires for humans to live and not die (Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:10-11). Our God has plans for the welfare and peace for those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Wanting to be aided by God’s guidance requires an attitude of humility and the ascertaining of the source of His divine guidance. With humility and the hindsight of mankind’s history, we have to accept that it is not within man to direct his own path (Jeremiah 10:23). The solutions he himself generates to solve his problems often leads to harm and even death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Often, there is neither time nor opportunity for a “trial and error” approach to problem-solving in the real world.
Faced with the ultimate reality of physical death and God’s judgment following death (Hebrews 9:27), it is man’s lot to seek God and be rewarded for so doing (Hebrews 11:6). In leaving all to follow God’s Son (Matthew 16:16), He will guide us through this earthly life and, thereafter, eternal life in the existence to come (Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30). No purely human guidance can be as complete, leading to the end and purpose of our faith,- the salvation of our soul (1 Peter 1:9).
The source of Divine guidance for every good work before God is the inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16-17),- His word which contains the truth that sets us free from the consequence of sinning and thereafter sanctifies us (John 8:32; 17:17). Properly searched (Acts 17:11) and handled (2 Timothy 2:15), the Father’s revealed scriptures, providentially preserved and translated for us, will guide the sinner to all he needs to believe and do in order to be saved (Acts 16:29-34) and to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
Our Maker’s thoughts and ways are unlike ours (Isaiah 55:8-9),- not until we decide to obey His commands and submit to His guidance as He has revealed them to us in His inspired wirds. The Bible is a treasure trove of instruction in many genres (i.e. forms of writing, e.g. history, poetry and prophecy), all guiding us to “good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) which bring God’s glory if we obey it (Matthew 5:16). Such instruction should be searched for, studied and applied to our life to mould our character (i.e. thinking and attitudes) and direct our behavior (i.e. actions and conduct).
There are in scripture cardinal commands that point us to our “north star”, such as the “greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:35-40) and the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20. There are narratives of actions and behavior of God’s spokesmen for us to imitate (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9) or avoid (1 Corinthians 10:6-11). There are collections of concise, pithy and wise words (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). As well, there are expressions of the heart addressed to our Father (Psalms, Lamentation) for the high and low points of human existence. There are direct commands to obey (e.g. Luke 13:1-5; Mark 16:15-16). Together, these make up a pattern of teaching (or “form of doctrine”, Romans 6:17) pertaining to all we need to lead us to “life and godliness”, cultivating “glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3) and making up the faith which we must acquire (Romans 10:17), live out in a life pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:1, 6) and contend for (Jude 3).
Brother Tim Burroughs will expound God’s word on this important topic in his lecture, “Trust In Motion: Navigating Life With God’s Guidance” at the Klang Valley Year-end Seminar 2024 to be held at the Klang church of Christ assembly premises, 1.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday, 16 November 2024. Do join us in this feast of God’s word!
Jude 3 3Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.