The Bible Tells You What…But not How
This is “What” you have to do. It’s very clear in the Bible what those things are…
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- Love God with all you got
- Love others like yourself
- Tell others about Jesus
- Love your Bride like Jesus did His
- Be Patient
- Be Kind
- And _________.
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These are the types of “What You Must Do” things in the Bible. These are non-negotiable, not up for debate (the clearly stated commands of Scripture). Then there are the “This is what must happen things” as well (Results for which we have must take the responsibility for).
- You must make followers of Jesus
- You must present your wife spotless
- You must raise your kids to fear God
OK. So, we have things that we “Must Do”, and a few things that “Must Happen.” The question is always…
How?
I want you to consider that the bible doesn’t answer that question for us. It tells us what we must do, and at times what must happen, but not “How” to do it. There is a reason for that. We are all different, and the bible was written to transcend time, age, education, culture and context.
Our “how” must come from God. We must pay the price to hear from God “how” we should carry out His commands. Like…Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church. That is “what we must do” but “how” are YOU supposed to do that?
“How” you love your spouse, is certainly not “how” I love mine! And, “how” I love her now is not the same as it was 30, 20, or even 1 year ago! The “how” must come from God, and there is a price for the “how” but it is certainly worth it!
I will finish this tomorrow! Part 2 Getting your… “Now-How”
Categories: Following God, Leadership
It is good to hear from you Artie. I like this because there are so many pastors who want “cookie cutter” followers. it is almost like they are the pied piper and as long as you do it this way then you are “the acceptable.” God does things differently in His creation. Why can’t we say He does things differently in working with His people? Looking forward to your follow-up.
Yeah, it must be a personal responsibility issue. It begins with “Me.” Me know what “what” God has called me to do, and then ask God “how.” The formula should look like this:
What+Me+How=Obedience
What & Obedience doesn’t change. But since the “value” of “Me” is never the same, the “how” must change.
Great Post! I think one of our challenges as ministers is to help with the HOWs. Not that we know everything on every subject, but we connect our people to information they need to address the HOW of the WHAT we preached on!
Tithing and stewardship >> Dave Ramsey, Crown Financial, etc.
Sharing faith >> F.A.I.T.H., Way of the Master, CWT, ACT111,etc.
The WHAT never changes, but the HOW surely does. Can you see 1st Century folks addressing our modern tithing issues and complexities?
Looking forward to the next one!
Thanks Buddy! Yeah, the How must change. If we can get individuals and the church to get that, it will change everything.
Great post.
Reminds me of Francis Schaeffer’s definition of True Spirituality – “a moment by moment reliance upon the Spirit of God”
Its that dependence that teaches us the how
So true, thanks Chris! How are things in S Africa?
Thanks for asking.
Ministry is great and things are growing rapidly. Lots of “newsletter headlines”. As life has it, some days the challenges and conflicts dominate over the headlines. Simultaneously loving it and choosing to put one foot in front of the other through the challenges.
Awesome. Just keep moving people.