Beech Tree News Network

We have 66 books in the Bible (39 Old Testament books, 27 New Testament books) to provide us with God’s guidance and establish and strengthen our faith (Rom. 10:17; Jude 3). Sadly, after 2000 years, some call the Bible “outdated,” “unrealistic,” and the like. Some folks wonder how we can make applications to our lives when using the Bible. Yet, as we study, it is clear that we can apply Scriptures to ourselves. We are in the Bible!

What do I mean? God, in His providence, inspired men to write things that apply to today (II Pet. 1:20-21). Please read Galatians 3:26-29, and we will see that while yes, this book is addressed to Galatian Christians (Gal. 1:2), this book is still written for us! When one becomes a Christian (v. 26), it is because this person has been baptized into Christ (v. 27). In becoming Christ’s, we also are “Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (v. 29).

What promise is this? It is the promise God made to Abraham (Gal. 3:16)! When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a “seed of Abraham” and therefore fulfills God’s promise to Abraham where God said Abraham’s seed would be “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore…” (Gen. 22:17).

Just think, whenever one becomes a Christian, he continues to fulfill a promise God made so long ago. If you are a Christian (Acts 2:38, 11:26), you are a part of this promise. You are in the Bible! 

Other passages applicable to us are found in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. Even though some folks have said that these passages apply only to those under the Law of Moses, Jesus applied it to people who were going to be living under the New Covenant when He said, “whosoever.” These verses apply to every person in every society since He spoke those words. Christ’s law for marriage is for us today.

You are in these verses if you are married or are contemplating marriage. Christ declares that once married, we stay married until death (Rom. 7:2-3). The only exception to this rule is a divorce can occur when a spouse has been unfaithful through sexual immorality (fornication, Matt. 5:32, 19:9). This command concerning marriage continues to this present day!

Two more verses where we find ourselves are Mark 16:16 and I Peter 3:21. So long as there is one person still in sin upon this earth, the Lord’s plan of salvation is in force. It demands that we believe in Christ and be baptized to be saved from our sins. If you are in sin, you are in these verses because they reveal what is necessary to be saved. If you are already saved from sin, you are in these verses, for this is the instruction you followed to receive the remission of sins in the first place. These are the passages you can use to show others how you were saved.

This is just a sampling of how God’s word applies to us today. The Bible is not outdated. Instead, it is a relevant, vibrant book (Heb. 4:12). Its principles are just as needed and as up-to-date as the day they were originally penned. Yes, you are in the Bible!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167