Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Bible contains the moral compass for all citizens of planet earth. It tells us what is right from wrong and presents the only available remedy for our sin-sick souls, Jesus Christ. In our modern world there is a growing tendency for us to do what is right in our own sight, with no regard for what God's word stipulates, and this attitude is consequently drawing us closer and closer to the brink of moral extinction.
When the Bible is studied, it should be our attitude to surrender any preconceived ideas that are found to be out of harmony with what is written, and private, subjective interpretations of scripture should be avoided under all circumstances. When these fundamentals are followed the Bible then becomes plain and coherent to the honest seeker for truth, and God is then able to write His laws and principles in our hearts. The effects of studying God's word with the humble attitude of a learner, is vividly portrayed in the words of the Psalmist. Let's read:
Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
It is therefore important for us to know that what we do with the light of truth contained in God's word, has a direct bearing on whether we will be saved in God's kingdom, or whether we will be lost eternally. The Bible accurately predicted that a time will come when the truths of God's word will not resonate in the hearts and minds of the majority of earth's inhabitants anymore, and it is with sadness that we affirm that the time is here. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
When the word of truth is brought home to our hearts, there are only three responses that can be made. We can accept and surrender to it, we can outright reject it, or we can put it on the back burner for another day. This last response represents the most successful of satan's ploys, for the habit of procrastinating always leads to lesser conviction, in other words, the longer we put off the decision to follow the teachings of God's word, the less likely we are to ever do so. This is what caused Felix, a ruler under the Roman empire, to miss the golden opportunity to accept Christ and the truth, and to thus lose his passport to heaven. Let's read:
Acts 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
While the the Holy Ghost was fervently pleading with Felix to surrender his soul to God, and while the words of truth being spoken by Paul was making a deep impression on his mind, Felix did what many people often do, he put off his convictions for another day. His after history shows that he indeed never again came to the point of surrender, and thus the voice of conscience was stifled and became more and more faint, until it finally ceased to disturb him anymore, as is evidenced by his actions afterward. Let's read:
Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
The bible tells us that "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day". It's then up to us to avail ourselves of the light of truth, by not only studying God's word , but also by a daily surrender of our lives to The Lord Jesus Christ. We sincerely hope and pray that this will be the ongoing experience of every member of the human family, and so we end with a passage of scripture, reminding us that the word of God is still valid, and remains the moral compass for every living human being. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Let us then walk in the light, even as God is in the light, and the Day-star from on high, even The Lord Jesus Christ, will dawn in our hearts today. God bless!