The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Teach

  • He Lives

    “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said …”

    Matthew 28:6

    Jesus taught his disciples many things as He walked this earth. However, the most important thing He wanted them to grasp, they did not understand. “31. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.32. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him” (Mark 9:31-32). He repeatedly warned them of what was coming, yet they did not comprehend what He said. When the time came for Jesus to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, the disciples were afraid and fled. “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56).

    On the third day after Jesus was crucified and placed into the tomb, the women went to anoint the body of Jesus. When they arrived, the stone had been removed from the tomb, and it was empty. “4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). They had not understood the saying of Jesus either. They did not understand that Jesus was alive. The two men explained: “6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8. And they remembered his words” (Luke 24:6-8).

    That same day, two were walking discussing all of the things that had happened, when Jesus began to walk with them – but they did not know it was Him (see Luke 24:13-16). As they explained the events according to their understanding, Jesus began to teach them. “26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:26-27). Jesus had done what He came to do. He paid the penalty of sin for mankind (see Romans 6:23).

    So the Gospel Message is simple. Paul summed it up for us as it was given to him.“3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The most important aspect of Christianity is that we serve a living Saviour, and He is in the world today! Just as He physically walked with His disciples while He lived on this earth, Jesus still walks with any Christian who will read His Word and walk with Him. The words of the following song explain this amazingly well:

    He Lives

    by Alfred H. Ackley

    Verse 1:

    “I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;

    I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

    I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

    And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

    Refrain:

    He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

    He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way,

    He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

    You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

      Verse 2:

      In all the world around me I see His loving care,

      And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair.

      I know that He is leading, thro’ all the stormy blast,

      The day of His appearing will come at last.

      Refrain:

      He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

      He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way,

      He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

      You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

      Verse 3:

      Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

      Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

      The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

      None other is so loving, so good and kind.

      Refrain:

      He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

      He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way,

      He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

      You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”

      Christians serve a living Saviour. Remember what the angel told the women as they looked in the empty tomb for the dead body of Jesus Christ: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said …” (Matthew 28:6).

      Do you serve a living Saviour, who walks with you and talks with you along life’s narrow way?

      Does Jesus live within your heart?

      How to have Jesus in your heart.

    1. Is Church Important?

      “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

      Hebrews 10:25

      Jesus’ earthly parents took Him to the Temple when He was a child, and He continued to go as an adult. He not only went to the Temple, but also the synagogue. The synagogues had become common places of Bible teaching and worship. They were started during the Babylonian captivity. Because the people had no Temple in which to worship God, they began to meet in smaller groups for worship and biblical instruction. According to Jesus’ actions, He not only went to the synagogue regularly, but He taught there often as well.

      Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple the first time shortly after He was born (see Luke 2:27). They took Jesus to the Temple when he was twelve years old (see Luke 2:46). When Jesus was an adult, He still went to the Temple and the synagogue often. “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke 4:16). It was His custom. There are dozens of verses in the Gospels declaring Jesus went to the synagogue and the Temple.

      Do you remember what often happened when Jesus went to the synagogues? Or even the Temple? When he went to the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth where He read a portion out of Isaiah, see what the people did. “28. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4:28-29). Not only were they angry with Jesus, they wanted to throw Him off of a cliff to kill Him. “But he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:30). Nevertheless, Jesus did not quit going to the synagogue or the Temple. When He went, He often taught the people. When Jesus taught, He made known the need for repentance of sin. The people would then be given the choice – to accept Him or reject Him.

      See a few of the following examples:

      • A ruler of the synagogue believed in Jesus to heal his daughter (see Mark 5:22-24, 35-43).
      • The people did not believe in Jesus (see Mark 6:2-6).
      • The people of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth rejected Him, wanting to kill Him (see Luke 4:16-30).
      • Jesus taught in the Temple, and many did believe on Him (see John 7:28-31).

      Because Jesus went to the Temple and synagogues often, many of the religious leaders heard and believed in Jesus. “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42).

      Today, we do not go to the Temple, for it has been replaced for Christians with the church building. The church building is the place that Christians go to meet in smaller groups for worship and biblical instruction. (Did you notice that was the same function as the synagogue?) Because Jesus found it important to go to the synagogue often, many recognized who Jesus was during the gathering of people in those locations. It was there that God’s Word was taught. Today, Christians are to attend church often. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Not only are we to attend church to learn more about the Bible, helping us to become better Christians, but for much the same reason that Jesus often visited the Temple and the synagogues – to encourage and teach others about Jesus.

      Admittedly, today’s churches are sometimes difficult places to attend regularly. There are obviously problems in some churches. It may even be difficult to find a true Bible believing and teaching church. However, each Christian is encouraged to go more and more often, for time is short. The synagogues Jesus attended were fraught with religiosity. The leaders taught a religious system and tradition more than God’s Word. Jesus was often challenged, met with confrontation, rejected, and at times even attended at the peril of His life. Yet He continued to frequent them regularly. However, while He was there, He taught the truth. Sometimes He said, “as it is written”, and often He referred to what they had heard and told them, “I say unto you” to correct what they had heard.

      Today, we have the complete written Word of God, and it is important that each Christian knows what the Bible teaches. When a Christian goes to church, one can be pretty confident that there is no fear of death. However, there may be challenges, confrontations, or even rejection. But that is no reason to quit attending church (maybe find a new one!). Jesus attended while He lived here on earth. Christians should be just as faithful, praying God will provide a Bible teaching church to attend. Paul encouraged the men he left in charge at the church in Ephesus. Remember what he taught them: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church was purchased with the blood of Christ. It is very important to Him.

      Have you found a Bible teaching church in which to attend faithfully?

    2. Women Teachers

      “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

      Acts 17:11

      There seems to be a genuine question: can women teach in the church?

      Consider the following thoughts, and do what Paul challenged the Bereans to do: “11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:11-12).

      The book of 1 Corinthians was written to a church Paul had established in a very pagan city. The people who lived in Corinth were immoral and worshiped a pagan goddess. Paul wrote to the church to teach the new Christians that they needed to forsake their former lifestyles and understand how to function orderly within the church. The natural man does not operate the same way as the spiritual man. Paul taught them of the order in the homes and the order in the church. There are many spiritual gifts, and the members of a church have different gifts. Christians are to function together using those gifts as the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12). One of the gifts that was obviously used improperly was the gift of tongues. It was causing much confusion in the church, so Paul dealt with it. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul encouraged them to use their spiritual gifts properly. None of the gifts were to bring attention to that individual, but all attention is to be given to the Lord. “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret” (1 Corinthians 14:27). When someone spoke in a unknown tongue (tongue means “by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired)”), there was to be an interpreter present “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (1 Corinthians 14:28). Let him keep silence means “to keep silent; hold peace.” The overall point was to eliminate the confusion of unintelligent utterances and too many speaking at once. Instead it was to be one by one (see 1 Corinthians 14:29-32). “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Knowing that the position of the elder (pastor), deacons and leaders in the churches are to be men helps in the understanding of the following verse: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law” (1 Corinthians 14:34). This is quite a favorite verse for some people! However, consider a couple of things. First, the reference is to the confusion that had entered the church in the form of tongues (which included the men being told to keep silent as well! See verse 27-28). Second, no one addresses the second part of that verse: “but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law” (1 Corinthians 14:34b). If you go back and read 1 Corinthians 11:1-17, you can understand that Paul was correcting the error for the way men and women had been praying or prophesying. Prophesying and prophesieth means “to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit whether by prediction or not.” The men and women in 1 Corinthians were declaring truths, however they were not doing it under obedience to the way God wanted it done in the churches (women were to be submissive and under the authority of their husbands). So, when you put these verses all together, you find that men and women are both able to teach (or prophecy: “to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit”), however if it is not done correctly, both are told to keep silent. Because of the order of the family and the church that Paul taught (especially in Corinth), we can understand that when a wife does not understand what is happening or taught in a church service, she is to ask her husband at home – not publicly address the issue in church. Addressing them in a public forum at church will most likely cause more problems. This is what Paul was addressing: the confusion in the church. Note the following: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) was writing that this is not anyone’s opinion. This is the commandments of the Lord. If someone does not like this? “ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:38). Man here means “someone, anyone, a certain one.” Ignorant means “to know clearly, it means to be mistaken, misunderstood” translated as unknown in other verses.

      In Titus, Paul not only wrote about the duties of pastors, in chapter two he began with what must be taught to Christians in general. “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Sound means “of doctrine, meaning sound doctrine; true, pure, uncorrupted.” Doctrine means “the thing taught, instruction, precept, as coming from God meaning divine teaching.” The integrity of the Gospel message and the Christian lifestyle must be kept true. Paul also taught the basics of Christian behaviors, beginning with the“aged men” (see Titus 2:2):(note some definitions to help understand in [ ] after some words):

      • “That the aged men be sober, [Sober means “to be temperate; self-controlled; sober-minded; watchful; circumspect.”]
      • grave, [Grave means “to worship; venerable; reverend; reputable; dignified. That which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one, which is the possession of all believers: a majestic and awe-inspiring quality which does not repel but rather invites and attracts.”]
      • temperate, [Temperate means “discreet; sober; of a sound mind; self-disciplined in one’s freedom; self-restrained in all passions and desires.”]
      • sound in faith, [Sound in faith means “of persons meaning firm, pure in respect to Christian doctrine and life.”]
      • in charity, [Charity means “love; affectionate regard; goodwill; benevolence.”]
      • in patience.” [Patience means “the patience God bestows as in the patience as a quality of mind; the bearing of evils, and suffering with tranquil mind.”]

      It is important to understand how the aged men were to behave, for these things are also required behavior of the “aged women” (see Titus 2:3). Notice that the following list is a continuation of the listing for the aged men (as indicated by the word “likewise”: (note some definitions to help understand in [ ] after some words):

      • “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, [As becometh holiness means “such as becomes sacred persons; venerable; meaning to act like a sacred person.”]
      • not false accusers, [False accusers means “one who falsely accuses and divides people with any reason; an accuser; a slanderer.”]
      • not given to much wine, [Given to much wine means “it implies not a dependence upon, or becoming bondage to fermented drink. The drinking of wine, though not forbidden by Scripture (although drunkenness is), it is to be avoided in the presence of weaker brothers who might be influenced to partake against their consciences (see Romans 14:21).”]
      • teachers of good things;” [teachers of good things means “a teacher of the right.”]

      Notice that the aged women not only have the duty to perform the things listed for the aged men, and also the things in Titus 2:3, but they are obligated to live these things out in their lives enabling them to do the following. The aged woman (not necessarily an age in years, but in wisdom according to God’s Word) must not only know the doctrines of the faith, but the instructions found within the Word of God. These are the good and right things that must be taught to the younger women, enabling them to fulfill their proper duties as Christians, wives, and mothers. If one has not learned the doctrines of the faith and the instructions in the Bible, they will be ill-equipped to live an enabled life to be good wives and mothers (which are addressed in (Titus 2:4-6). Especially note how Titus 2:4 begins: “4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, [Teach the young women to be sober means “to teach young women to be sober-minded; to discipline, train, to think and act soberly, discreetly, and in moderation; to correct and teach; the young women are to be taught to ‘voluntarily place limitations upon their own freedoms’.”] Christian women need to be taught that they are just as important to God as anyone else (see Galatians 3:28), but God has a specific job for them (just as any other Christian: see Ephesians 2:10). Nowhere does this exclude teaching other women or encouraging them in the Lord.

      Titus 2:5-6 continues to reference the behavior with one’s own husband and children. When Paul speaks of submissiveness by a woman, it is always on the part of a wife to her own husband: as in 1 Timothy 2: “11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Silence means “stillness, that is, desistance from bustle or language: – quietness, silence.” The man means “a man (properly as an individual male): husband.” Once again, this is in reference to a woman, in quietness, learning from her husband as she is under his authority (per the curse in Genesis 3:16-17). Probably the most difficult thing for a woman is to recognize that God expects them to “voluntarily place limitations upon their own freedoms”. If women would do this one thing that God requires, the feminist movement would die overnight.

      Christians are encouraged to do the following: “16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17).

      Now, as to what the Bible warns to anyone who desires to be a teacher of the Word of God: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Masters means “a teacher; an instructor.” Take note that teachers will receive the greater condemnation. Condemnation means “the result of a decision; the execution or judgment, punishment.” Each teacher of God’s Word will be held more accountable for what they teach. However, God has enabled and even called some people to teach the Word of God. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). One must live their faith “with meekness of wisdom” before one considers doing anything else.

      Have you chosen to receive the word with all readiness of mind, and search the Scriptures daily finding the will of God for your life?

    3. Study and Know God

      “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

      John 14:21

      One of the most important things a Christian can do is to faithfully read God’s Word. In that reading, one should begin placing those Words within that heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”(Psalm 119:11). With God’s Word in one’s heart, that one will begin to recognize what God expects (and does not want) within that Christian life.

      While reading the Bible, it is important to ask God to teach you as you read. “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes” (Psalm 119:12). Statutes means “precepts and rules which must be strictly obeyed.” God wants us to obey His Word, the Bible. Some Christians find this a difficult thing. People do not want a bunch of rules to obey. What one must understand is the the Bible is not a book full of “do’s and don’ts”. That is the opinion of many. However, read what David wanted: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Wondrous means “the basic meaning is to be wonderful and to cause a wonderful thing to happen … it is used primarily with God as the subject. He does things which are beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations…” David wanted to read God’s Law to recognize and understand the wonderful things that God does. If you think about it, God’s Word that David read was mostly the five books of the Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Can you even imagine how David might have reacted if he had been able to read the complete Bible that we have available to us today?

      After asking God to “open thou mine eyes”, read what else David asked God to do for him. “33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight” (Psalm 119:33-35). Not only did he ask God to teach him, but to give him understanding. He then proceeded to ask God to “make me to go in the path of thy commandments”. Make me to go means “by implication to walk; to guide, lead (forth).” David wanted God to guide him and help him to walk in God’s ways. What did David do when he did not understand what to do? “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments” (Psalm 119:73). After acknowledging who God is, David asked for understanding to learn. This is just a small sampling of David’s reactions to God’s Word.

      If you remember, David was known as a man after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). But did you know that God knew this about David before He even chose him to be a king, while he was only a young shepherd boy? When King Saul refused to obey God’s commandments, Samuel gave him this message: “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:14). David was that man.

      Have you ever considered taking this approach as you read your Bible? Begin to hide God’s Word in your heart, keeping you from sin (see Psalm 119:11). Ask God to teach you from His Word (see Psalm 119:12, 18, 33-34). Petition God to guide you, lead you, and help you to walk in His ways (see Psalm 119:35). Remember that David not only acknowledged who God is, but also asked God to give him understanding to learn. David had limited amounts of God’s written word in his day. Today, we have the complete written Word of God, the Bible to study and know (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This should be our goal as Christians.

      A great preacher once said, “Bible study gives you knowledge about God. Obedience gives you knowledge of God. You can study the Bible and know about God, or you can obey the Bible and know God.” Make sure you not only read God’s word, but adhere to the teachings. Remember again what Jesus said. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). Manifest means “to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words): to appear, declare (plainly), inform.” When Christians keep Jesus’ commands, they not only show they love Him, but He will manifest Himself to them.

      Have you taken time study God’s Word, knowing about God?

      Or

      Have you learned to obey God’s Word, thereby knowing God?

    4. Love God

      “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

      Deuteronomy 6:5

      One shows love for God by obeying His commands. Moses had just reminded the Israelites of God’s Law as they were preparing to enter into the Promised Land. He instructed them to obey God’s Law. “That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged” (Deuteronomy 6:2). God was bringing them into the land that had been promised to Abraham, a land filled with many false gods. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). They had previously been warned again to not worship those false gods (see Deuteronomy 4:14-31). After remembering this, read what else they were to do. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). First, these words of God must be in the parents’ hearts. It would be then that they would be able to teach their children when they sit or when they walk. It is important to teach children the principles found in God’s Word in everyday life situations when they occur. In the morning when they wake, ready to start a new day, with questions in their hearts and minds. As they get ready for bed, and have had challenging circumstances from the day. The Bible says for parents to teach their children the things of God diligently! We can clearly read in these verses the importance of a parent teaching their child the ways of God – to “love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Take note that teaching children the ways of God is important!!

      Joshua led the people after Moses died. Joshua had learned much about the importance of loving the Lord and obeying His commands. At the end of his life, before he died, Joshua left a word that has been remembered throughout the ages: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). He understood the importance not only of knowing to love and obey the Lord himself, but to teach these things to his children. The whole family, together, would serve the Lord. By teaching this to children, they would know how to live a life pleasing to God in this world. If you read the book of Judges, the book that immediately follows this statement by Joshua, you learn what kind of a nation they became. All because the people forgot God and failed to teach God’s commandments to their children. This is to be a warning to us today!

      Remember also that King David shared things of God with his son, Solomon to prepare him to become king. King David understood the importance of teaching his son to walk in God’s ways and obey God’s commands (see 1 Kings 2:1-4).

      This was Old Testament. Does it apply to the New Testament as well?

      When Jesus was asked what the great commandment in the Law was, remember what Jesus said. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37). Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). If they loved God with all of their heart, soul and might, their obedience would reveal that love of God. The Pharisees and Sadducees were supposed to know and do this. Even the religious leaders could not refute this simple answer. Yet they did not understand. They did not believe Jesus.

       “1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:1-3).

      It is still important to obey God’s commands that are found in the Bible. When reading Romans chapter 7, one can understand the importance of obeying not necessarily the letter of “The Law” but the spirit of the Law. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Romans 7:7).

      Have you taken the time to teach your children to love God and to walk in His ways?

    5. Choose You This Day

      “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
      Joshua 24:15

      What would happen if you were faced with a generation of young people, most of which were never taught to love the Lord or obey His commands?

      In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gave God’s commands to the new generation who wandered in the wilderness to prepare them to enter into the land God promised them. God gave him specific directions for His people. One of the greatest is found in Deuteronomy chapter six. “1. Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them … 2. That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged” (Deuteronomy 6:1-2).

      The people were taught God’s commandments.

      The people were to obey God’s commandments.

      The people were to teach these commandments to their children and their children’s children.

      Those words are extremely important. The following words are just as important. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). If they loved God with all of their heart, soul and might, their obedience would reveal that love of God.

      We just read that God’s people were taught to obey God’s Words and preserve them by teaching them to their children. The following verses help us understand the best way these things can be taught. “6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). First, these words must be in the parents’ hearts. It would be then that they would be able to teach their children when they sit or when they walk. It is important to be able to teach children the principles found in God’s Word in everyday life situations when they arise. In the morning when they wake, ready to start a new day, with questions in their hearts and minds. As they get ready for bed, and have had challenging circumstances from the day. The Bible says for parents to teach their children the things of God diligently! We can clearly read in these verses the importance of a parent teaching their child of the ways of God, and to “love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Teaching children the commandments of God is important!

      Joshua led the people after Moses. He had learned much about the importance of loving the Lord and obeying His commands. At the end of Joshua’s life, before he died, he left a word that has been remembered throughout the ages: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). He understood the importance not only of knowing to love and obey the Lord himself, but to teach these things to his children. The whole family, together, would serve the Lord. By teaching it to his children, they would know how to live a life pleasing to God in this world. If you read the book of Judges, the book that immediately follows this statement by Joshua, you learn what kind of a nation they became. All because the people forgot God and failed to teach God’s commandments to their children. This is to be a warning to us today!

      Think about our world today. Does it sometimes appear that we live among a generation of young people, most of which were never taught to love the Lord, obeying His commands?

      Do you love and serve the Lord?

      Have you taught your children to love the Lord and obey His commands?

    6. Know God’s Way

      “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
      Psalm 25:4

      Have you ever wondered what God has for your life, or how to find out?

      What is most important thing a Christian can do?

      The most important thing a Christian can do is to know God’s Word. Many Christians think it is enough to have a general idea of what is in the Bible. However, the following verse declares we need to know more of it: “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths” (Psalm 25:4). What paths?

      The Bible is full of people who have chosen to know God’s ways, and follow in His paths. There are also many people recorded that chose to not follow in God’s paths. Each person is to read the Bible to find out what happens in a person’s life when they follow God’s paths, and what happens when people choose to make their own way in the world, disregarding God’s paths. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). The Bible was written for us to not only come to know Christ as our Saviour, but to follow the examples that are recorded within so we know how to live a life pleasing to God. Knowing what is in the Bible can keep us from much heartache in our lives. It can also bring us much comfort and encouragement. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

      Some people find the Bible too difficult to read. Others may think it takes too much time to read. There are many excuses as to why people do not know or understand the Bible. But what does the Bible tell us? “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). Understanding the Bible can really be very simple. The Biblical Path of Life (http://biblicalpath.com/) is a simple Bible study that basically just organizes a plan on how to know what the Bible is all about. It encourages each person to take the time to read their own Bible in an orderly fashion, so there will be no question as to what God expects from people. Reading, and knowing what the Bible has to say, is the only way anyone can have God show him or her His way. It is then one can know the path God has for their life.

      Do you want to know the path God has for your life?

      How to be Saved