“Two quick ways to disaster are to take nobody’s advice and to take everyone’s advice.” Advice never seems to be in short supply whether it comes from the meter maid or the mailman. Such counsel is only as good as its source. Yes, there are wise meter maids and mailmen. Many of them know a lot about people.
Blessed. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1). According to the Word of God, a person who claims to be an atheist is a fool. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). If he’s honest, he would admit that he’s an agnostic who can’t be sure of God’s existence. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). “[Christians], let not many of you become teachers [advisers], knowing that we shall receive stricter judgment” (James 4:1). But godly teachers can also expect greater rewards and crowns for teaching the truth correctly as God intended for it to be taught (1 Peter 5:4; 3 John 1:4).
Misapplication. It is also possible for a Christian to be misled by “religious teachers” who twist the Scriptures (2 Peter 2:1ff; 3:16; Jude 1:4) to the detriment and premature death of many of their followers (1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 John 5:16). Are you wasting away your life by heeding the bad counsel from false teachers? Are you trying to live by the wrong set of rules (i.e. the “Mosaic Law” or “Kingdom Rules” – Sermon on the Mount)? Both rules were addressed to the Jews not to the church (1 Corinthians 10:32)? Are you a “Red Letter Christian“? They love to allegorize (i.e. change the normal meaning of words) and take only what appeals to them. Are you a defeated Christian who can’t seem to gain the victory over the devil, the world system, and your own sin nature? Would you like some help from the Scriptures?
Seven. Yes, there are seven distinct and different “Rules for Living” that are found in the Bible. No, they are not seven ways to be saved. There is only one very narrow way of salvation that offends many people who think that all paths and religions lead to God (Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12, 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). When a believer, who is rightly related to God the Holy Spirit, interprets the Bible normally, historically, and grammatically, he/she will discover the seven distinct sets of “Rules for Living.”
Discovered. After years of living the Christian life in vain and with a lot of frustration, God led me to an older godly man who showed me this precious truth that revolutionized my life (Romans 8:14; 12:1, 2). When God the Holy Spirit illuminated my mind to this truth the Bible came alive to me (1 John 2:20, 27). From that time till now it’s been a wonderful journey as I continue to discover new facets of truth that were designed for “Grace” believers. By the way, when Christians get to heaven they won’t know everything there is to know. We won’t be omniscient like God (Isaiah 46:10). We will keep on learning new aspects of truth in eternity future (Ephesians 2:7). Heaven will never get boring.
Sharing. Since then I have been trying to share the truth with other faithful men and women who long to be well pleasing to God (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Do you earnestly desire to know the truth that can set you free from the power of sin (John 8:32; Romans 6:11-23; 7:24, 25; 8:2)? Are you willing to set aside some “Devoted Time” each day to grow in the sphere of grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Do you want to make Him known to those around you (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 10:31)?
For Me? / To Me? Perhaps you’ve discovered this – All of the Bible is “for” us Christians, but not all of the Bible is addressed “to” us. Not every promise in the Bible is ours to claim. Most of the Bible was written for believers, not unbelievers. Most unbelievers rebel against God’s command to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Unbelief is the only unforgivable sin (John 16:8-11). Those who die physically in unbelief will be cast into the lake of fire to suffer forever (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 21:8). Please don’t be one of them.
Chart. If you’d like a special chart that we have compiled to help Christians see these seven distinctive ways of living, contact us for more information. Best of all, it’s FREE! Call us at 805-238-3549 or visit our web site for more information: www.kelseypeach.com.
Share. If this article has helped you, please invite others to read it too. Click “Follow” to receive these articles as they come out.
Kelseypeach's Blog 