Number 125: August 28, 2007

This weekend I taught our foundational class called “Introduction to the Bible” for the 44^th time. I am awestruck every time I get the privilege to present it. Even after this many times, it is still a treat. When you witness light bulbs of understanding going off in questing minds, you realize one of lives greatest goals: “eyes that open and minds that ask.” For once in their lives, people get answers about God and life and the Bible that make sense for a change. They fit with the goodness of God. The purpose of the “Introduction to the Bible” class can best be summed up by one verse:

Acts 26:18:

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

It was a class similar to this that answered so many questions for me almost 30 years ago. That class sent me on a mission to help as many people as possible learn the truth about God via His Word.

I Timothy 2:4:

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

This is God’s goal. He does not want anybody to go to Hell. He wants all to be saved, get born again of His Spirit in order to be able to talk directly to Him. Then, He wants them to come unto the knowledge of the truth. He wants His people to learn about Him, get to really know what He is like, so they can love Him with their whole heart, mind and soul.

Matthew 22:37-40:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

As we continue to acquire knowledge of God via His Word, as we saturate our hearts, lives, and actions with it, we can then love God with our entire being. When the rivers of knowledge of God’s Word flow together, we receive understanding of Him in our hearts. Then we will act accordingly. This is a continuous lifelong learning process because we will never know it all. However, this should never stop us from telling others about how to love God in this day and time and hour. It is our duty to do so.

II Corinthians 5:20:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.