A Reference point
The ancient sailors used the
stars as their reference point to guide them on their journeys. Our journey of
life has a reference point. It directs how we live, why we do things, what
gives fulfilment in life and determines
the final destination of our life’s journey. It also gives us identity.
“What is your reference point?”
A lost reference point can
frequently be seen in history, summed up by this saying –“Every man did that
which was right in his own eyes”
Does that sound familiar in our
world today?
Some have referenced life on
Darwin’s theory of evolution – survival of the fittest – and thus in the 1940’s,
thousands of disabled people were exterminated. Yet others used communism as
the reference point and millions of academics and religious people were eliminated.
All governments have a reference point – some in Islam, some in Marxism, some
in Christianity, some in monarchy, some in capitalism etc.
The modern reference point of the
western world is, “ if it feels good do
it” and thus the selfish, self focused
mind, works, votes, acquires, defends only short term self interest.
Is there a better way?
Yes - having a reference point outside of our
self, from the hand of our creator. God has revealed the “user’s manual” – the Bible.
Are we prepared to let God
speak? Or do we pick and choose the
Bible verses that make us “feel good”?
Do we let the Bible rebuke us, correct us, lead us, encourage us? Do we
accept it as God by His Spirit speaking to us or is it too inconvenient for the
Bible to be our reference point?
The Lord Jesus said of some
religious people
“ You have not the word of God
abiding in you!” They were LOST.
Some object that the Bible is not
relevant and out of date. Is God the creator without understanding of what is
BEST for His creatures? No – It speaks very clearly about our condition before
God, about marriage, about loving our neighbours, about teaching young people,
about greed, about life after death, about the real meaning of life, about social responsibilities etc etc.
If God and His word (the Bible),
are refused as the ultimate reference point, then we are lost, wandering in the
quagmire of self destruction.
Today is our day of opportunity
to return to the Lord (as individuals and communities and nations). God has spoken, and through His Son Jesus
Christ, righteousness can prevail for the good of all. The promise is to all
who have ears to hear:
“Whoever will call upon the Lord
will be saved” Romans 10:13
Let us today pause to consider
the reference point that controls our thinking, directs our decisions, shapes
our attitudes, determines our eternal destiny!
How privileged we are to be able
to read the Bible in our own language.
If you do not have one and would like to read it, send a request for one
today.
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