Scrolling through Facebook can be uncomfortable, especially if you find yourself in a thread that you know isn’t for you, but you can’t help but read it through anyway. I’m always amazed at how people use social media to air their grievances with their “friends” and the rest of the world. I generally try to avoid anything that isn’t positive and uplifting. Sometimes I read threads that I don’t like the tone of in hopes it will help me understand a point of view that differs from mine. So there I was, scrolling and reading. Not really agreeing with much, but learning, right? And then it jumped out at me. Someone referred to the Bible as “That dirty old book…”
It really caught me off guard. I know there are a lot of people in this world that aren’t believers and there are a lot of others who are, but just don’t have or take the time to read, much less study, God’s word. I get that. Life is busy. But I was shocked that someone who presumably calls himself a Christian would completely disregard this very fundamental element of Christianity.
I guess it is a sign of the times, but I am troubled by the way we pick and choose what to believe based on what makes sense to us. I don’t believe that is how it works. I do feel strongly that there are all kinds of things in Scripture that are hard to understand, but for every confusing verse, there are hundreds that are good solid advice for life. Can I explain all of it? No. Can I accept it as truth? Absolutely! Are some of the truths contrary to what society accepts? Very much so and that is by the design of the deceiver. The fact that we don’t agree or don’t understand doesn’t mean that it isn’t true and it doesn’t mean that we can simply disregard those parts.
Am I perfect in living out the commandments in the Bible? Not even close. But I am unwilling to give up trying and I pray hard that the Holy Spirit will help me do better every day. I also pray that others will accept the Bible as a living, breathing document that speaks Truth. It is full of wonderful advice. In fact, most of the good we see and hear in the world is based on biblical teachings. I encourage you to read it and see for yourself the peace that comes from knowing God’s will for us. It is very much as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.
Yes, I guess you could say my Bible is, if not a dirty old book, a tattered and worn old book (yes, that is duct tape holding it together), but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. God’s blessings to you today and every day.
