The Holy Spirit superintended the writing of the Bible, beginning with Moses’ writing Genesis and closing it with Revelation, which was written by John the Apostle. The reason for the Scripture is to reveal the ‘higher ground,’ to see the world and our part in it from God’s point of view. Human beings, apart from God’s wisdom, have no answers for the confusion, corruption, violence, and immorality that permeate the cultures of the world.
The Bible says, “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles, foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” [1 Cor 1:20-24]
The key line in the above passage is, “God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” What is that “message” which is to be believed? The ‘higher ground’ in my thinking is God’s heaven. There is only one door to heaven and only one. ‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”’ [John 14:6]
It was Christ Jesus on the cross who paid for our sins, having been judged in our place. Let us recognize we are sinners and repent, believe that Jesus Christ saves and forgives us from our sins. “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” [Rom 10:9]
The Holy Spirit superintended the writing of the Bible, beginning with Moses’ writing Genesis and closing when John wrote Revelation. The purpose of God’s Word is to reveal the ‘higher ground,’ to see the world and our part in it from God’s point of view.
So, what about the war between Israel and her enemies, Ukraine and Russia, China and Taiwan, insurgents crossing the southern border, the advancement of gross immorality, and turning away from the Bible in our churches? The disciples of Jesus asked the question what would be the sign of Christ’s return to the earth and His coming Kingdom? ‘”You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”’ [Matt 24:6-7] Jesus said, “Those things must take place.”
I do not know when the Lord will return, but I know this: we are two thousand years closer than when He spoke these words. He is coming like a thief in the night!
The higher ground is to be with Christ in His heaven. There is only one door to heaven and only one. ‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”’ [John 14:6]
It was Christ Jesus on the cross who paid for our sins, having been judged in our place. Let us recognize we are sinners and repent, believe that Jesus Christ saves and forgives us from our sins. “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” [Rom 10:9]
Rodney Goertzen
Senior Pastor at Countryside Bible Church
904 SW Road, Hampton, NE
