Have you ever listened to a sermon or other message and thought it didn’t apply to you? I know I have. While there are sermons that might not apply directly to us, I find it difficult to believe the messages we hear weren’t meant for our ears. It’s like reading any of the letters in the Bible and knowing that they weren’t written to us, but the messages they contain could be for us.
What does Scripture tell us about God’s word?
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (emphasis added).
Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
When God’s word goes out, it does exactly what God wants it to do. In Luke, we are promised that “no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37 NIV). These verses from Isaiah and Luke assure us that the message we are hearing will do precisely what God wanted it to do. Although we might not see the application in our lives, it would be wise to remember that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Perhaps the message you are hearing has nothing to do with you. Is that so strange if you consider that life isn’t about us? That we are here to serve one another in love and give praise, glory, and honor to God in all we do?
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up (emphasis added).
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV)
As we mature in Christ, we learn more about God and his word. The more we study the Bible, the more we fill ourselves with God’s word. We enable ourselves to be vessels to be used by the Holy Spirit however he sees fit. Others may hear us quote Scripture and carefully and pointedly provide illumination into what it says. However, all wisdom comes from God, and everything we know, we have learned from God. Therefore, we may hear a message and believe it has nothing to do with us because we know the word of God, but taking such a position is arrogant and fool-hardy at best.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)
There’s a reason this verse comes after two of my favorite verses.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
We receive wisdom when we stop leaning on our understanding and include God in everything we do. However, if we’re not careful, we might forget where that wisdom came from. Hence, the warning to not be wise in our own eyes.
Let it never be said that we are like the wicked mentioned in Isaiah 47:10.
You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me’ (emphasis added).
Isaiah 47:10 (NIV)
Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.
Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Four-Calendar Café 