The Path to Covenant Relationship with Jesus Christ

The question was asked what does the Bible mean to you?

There are many answers to that question. Some say it is just a book of history. Others say it’s not meant to be taken literal, the stories are just that… stories. Then there are those that believe some of it but not all. They say, especially in the New Testament, that the things written aren’t for us today. Miracles don’t happen anymore, nobody gets delivered from their vices and salvation really isn’t real! It was only for the people in the Bible days. 

But what do you say the Bible means to you? Is it a book you barely read? Is it sitting on your coffee table as a centerpiece never to be used? Is it on your mantle gathering dust? Or maybe it’s an unopened app on your phone. 

I can tell you what it means to me. When I open my Bible, it becomes alive to me. The words are like a sweet honeycomb to my lips and a warm ray of sunlight to my soul! It’s rich history lets me see a glimpse of how the worlds were formed and how God himself breathed into man. It shows me the very personality of God. What He likes and what He doesn’t like. The “stories” in the word of God have been proven true over and over again. 

As a matter of fact, believing a little portion of the word is very dangerous! Mark 16:16 …. He that believeth not shall be damned. John 6:47-48 He that  believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 1:1, 14 in the beginning was the Word… the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.! We must believe the Word without reservation! 

How can we pick and choose what we want to believe then denounce the parts that don’t make us feel good. God is love but He also said “Vengeance is mine” Romans 12:19. However, God is a complete gentleman. His word shows us the way but we have a choice if we want to obey or not. I recently heard my pastor say “God’s love language is obedience.” God did say obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22-23. We don’t have to choose His way and if we don’t, we risk not having a relationship with Him and without relationship with Him, we miss eternity in heaven. 

In the New Testament, the miracles happened and continue happening today. Jesus cast out devils and I can tell you it still happens today. I’ve seen it with my own eyes! i know people that had demons cast out! I know people that have been raised from the dead! I know people that couldn’t walk and after getting prayed for walked away. Miracles, signs and wonders still happen today! We must believe by faith. One of the most important scriptures in the Bible (Hebrews11:6) but without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. It goes on to say “by faith Moses”, “by faith Abraham” (read Hebrews 11) when we study these men of God we find they blindly left their lives, as they knew it, in search of a life led by the Word of God. How much more should we follow the Word! 

Salvation is more real today than ever before! The closer we get to the coming of the Lord it becomes more and more critical that we be sure we are in right standing with the Word ! If we don’t follow the plan of salvation we can’t be saved. Ephesians 4:4-6 The scriptures say there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. There is only one way. Read it! It is up to us to search the scriptures to see what the Word says about salvation. We can’t rely on anyone’s opinion on how to be saved we must see it in the scriptures for ourselves! 

There are 66 books in the Bible, it took more than 1000 years to write and not one time does it contradict itself! The Bible had many writers but only one author. 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Word was written as a road map to follow for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. However, in order to follow the road map we must resign in our hearts that we will follow without reservation. It has to be all or nothing! We can’t say I believe this part but leave the parts that are a little harder to accept. It doesn’t work that way. We have to dive in with everything we have. It has to be with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength! Mark 12:30. 

The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 if we break down this scripture we see that the Word isn’t always nice and fluffy. As humans, we like to search out the scriptures that make us feel good but tend to leave the ones that lead us to the painful cross behind. No one likes to be examined. Most aren’t willing to admit that there are problems in us that need to be addressed such as a bad attitude, maybe hatred in our heart or a little jealousy. It’s a painful removal process. The two edged sword of the Word cuts going in and cuts coming out. It divides our soul and spirit and the joints and the marrow. We have to acknowledge the process of taking the marrow out of bones… it’s not pretty! Yet it is critical to our relationship with Jesus Christ! We must be refined. It’s in the valley or in the lower, painful times in our lives that we lose the dross or the toxic traits in our spirit and we grow.

According to Google: The refining process, often depicted as a refiner’s fire, symbolizes God’s intentional use of trials and hardships to purify and strengthen His people. This process is meant to remove impurities and refine our faith, leading to spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. Zechariah 13:9.

We must allow the potter to work on us. He chooses us and places us on the wheel because He sees the potential in us. However, He can only do what we allow. What will you let Him do in your life? He wants to create a vessel of honor with you but how far will you go? If you believe the complete Bible and are obedient to that Word then what kind of vessel would you be. Don’t settle for half truths or even ninety nine percent truths but fight for 100% truth in God’s word!

So the question remains: Do you believe the whole truth in the Word? And are you willing to act upon that truth?

Pray diligently for truth in God’s word. Lord give me a revelation of complete truth! Nothing less! Let me have courage to see it and act upon that truth! It is a journey but so worth it!