Bible Study February 27, 2025
“It’s As Clear As You Make it …”
As I woke up this morning there was a thought that entered my mind as I contemplated getting up or going back to bed. We have been doing a series on “Heaven” at church and this thought entered my mind. Who is going to be there because our eternal home is decided by how we live on earth.
I looked at several different translations as I often do concerning the scriptures as I did with 1 Corinthians 6:9. Here is how the New English Translation puts it “ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals.”
Our society today is willing in many cases if not all to accept anything and everything into it beliefs. Let’s face it we live in a “If it feels good society it is okay. “Paul, along with others like John writing in Revelation outlines who will enter the gates of heaven. It is not up to us to interpret the scriptures to say what we want them to say.
I know alcoholics who have recovered and live a life free of alcohol, I know addicts who have beat the drug scene and live free from the demons that possessed them. I know addicts who were addicted to pain killing drugs who have been delivered. But many seem to okay with accepting sexual sin as acceptable while condemning others Just yesterday I read an article where 7.6 percent of people believe they are transgender.
I recently had a friend ask me if there was a degree of sin, in other words was certain sins worse than others. My response was that all sin is wrong they are on equal grounds. But some sin affects more than one person. Jesus said all sin is wrong. My example to my friend was this. The sin of lust affects the one who has lust in his heart or the desire. The actual consummation of the lust affects another person. The same is true of murder you may conceive it your heart but to carry it affects others deeply.
Why do we accept certain sin as acceptable and others that are not. Most likely it is because we are committing what we feel is acceptable. I am not saying by any means I am perfect but when my spirit is checked by the Holy Spirit I make it right. Then we ask ourselves what is sin? A simple explanation is “it is a willful transgression against a known law of God.” If we sin and repent (turn 180 degrees) and commit to doing it no linger then we are free from the bondage. But if we continue to commit the same actions (sins) over and over there is no repentance.
Remember Jesus came to save the world not condemn it. “17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (Legacy Standard Bible).
Do not loosely interpret the scripture your life is being held in the balance. It is as clear as you make it.
God Bless.
After completing thsi I read this by Allen Jackson today and wanted to include it. “2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV®)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I am dismayed by how so many people have stepped away from the authority of God’s Word. They see it as a collection of stories that are ancient and irrelevant. Or they flip through it, trying to find something they agree with. Their attitude is, “Oh, I don’t like that part. That goes against my preferences and my lifestyle. But I like this part. It affirms the attitudes I already have. Do I believe the Bible? Sure, some parts of it.” What do you suppose would happen if we really took God’s Word personally and seriously? What would happen if, instead of searching for the parts we agree with, we treated all of it as God intended: to teach us, to correct us, to rebuke us when necessary, and to train us in righteousness? Paul knew if we really want to be equipped by God to do His work in the world, we must take Scripture seriously—all of it.
THINK ABOUT IT
Dedicated and consistent time with God’s Word brings new life, wisdom, peace, and humility.
Asbury Chapel 