TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 1:1-25
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people. - Psalm 100:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his Confessions, the early church father Augustine wrote, ''What is the object of my love?' I asked the earth and it said: 'It is not I.' I asked all that is in it; they made the same confession....I asked the sea, the deeps, the living creatures that creep, and they responded: 'We are not your God, look beyond us....' And I said to all these things in my external environment: 'Tell me of my God who you are not, tell me something about him.' And with a great voice they cried out: 'He made us.' '

The issue this great theologian was addressing is as up-to-date as the modern environmental movement. Is this earth, and everything in it, the creation of a personal God to whom we are accountable? Or is the physical universe the product of evolution, making bats and other creatures as valuable as babies?

If you know about the tactics of radical environmentalists who reject any idea of a Creator, you know that the answer to this question is all-important. As Augustine suggests, if the God of Scripture is not acknowledged as Creator, we might as well look within creation itself for something to worship.

It's not that we Christians can afford to mistreat our world. We should be the most caring people on earth, because God has charged us with the stewardship of His creation (Gen. 1:28).

But there is a world of difference between enjoying and caring for the created world as God's stewards, and bowing before 'Mother Earth' as some sort of nurturing goddess. This brand of pagan spirituality has been around since the earliest days of known history. Here is another case in which our theology makes a great deal of difference.

How refreshing it is to turn away from the emptiness of unbelief and read again the account of God's creation. The Bible's opening chapter is one of those passages we tend not to read very often. But a fresh look reminds us how complete God's work was, and how pleased He was by what He made.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It would take a mighty act of unbelief to look at God's creation and then deny His existence.

According to Romans 1:18-25, this is exactly what the unbelieving world does. This passage states that those who refuse to acknowledge God deny Him of at least four things He so richly deserves from us: gratitude (v. 21), glory (v. 23), worship (v. 25), and service (v. 25).

It's our privilege to offer these to God in the year ahead. Use the list above as you go before God today and renew your commitment to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7, 15-25
God created man in his own image...male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
Here's a one-question Bible quiz for you to think about on this first Sunday of the new year. In what way was the creation of Adam and Eve distinct from all the rest of God's creative work?

The answer is in Genesis 1:26-27, the first verses of the Bible that mention human beings. God made Adam and Eve 'in His image.' Unlike any other part of creation, we possess a spirit that reflects God's essence as spirit. He has put within us a mind, will, and emotions that are an image of these perfections in His nature.

This may sound like we're reviewing our theological ABC's, and in a sense we are. But one reason it's important to keep touching base with the basics is that the basics of Christian truth are being challenged and discarded all around us. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bible's teaching about the origin of human life.

The Scripture is clear. We are the product of God's creative hand, not simply the highest order on the evolutionary ladder. What's more, the text says God gave humankind a charge to 'subdue' and 'rule' over the rest of creation, which was given to us for our management and enjoyment (vv. 28-30).

This truth also answers the charge of those who say it is arrogant and wrong for us to assume that human life has any more innate value than, say, the birds or the whales (vv. 28-31).

So our convictions about human origins are critical to our view of life. This also applies to our view of human sexuality, another explosive topic today. Bible-believing Christians aren't the only people intensely interested in theology on this subject. Many of those who try to deny the Bible's teaching on sexuality and marriage go to great lengths to argue that Scripture makes allowance for homosexual unions. Genesis 1:18-25 clearly demonstrates that God designed marriage to be a union between a man and a woman.

The social and political pressure to accept such distorted ideas as simply another 'alternative' is tremendous and we're far from seeing the end of this debate.

Once again, it is refreshing to open God's Word and read about His wonderful creative power and purpose that result in blessing to those who believe and obey Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It has been said that God created humankind in His image...and humankind has been trying to return the favor ever since.

It's true that many people want to create a god in their image an easy-going, anything-goes deity who doesn't really require anything of us. But as believers, our calling is to bow before the God of Scripture. Today, let's praise God for His holy character, His great love for us, and His Word, which tells us the truth about ourselves and our world.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 3:1-15
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. - Romans 16:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
With his usual clarity Oswald Chambers said, 'Sin is not weakness, it is a disease; it is red-handed rebellion against God and the magnitude of that rebellion is ex-pressed by Calvary's cross.'

Chambers had the right diagnosis for sin and it matters a great deal that we understand and believe what the Bible teaches about sin. It is impossible to make sense of what's happening around us unless our theology of sin is straight.

Have you noticed how desperately the world tries to ignore, suppress, and erase the concept of sin? People are willing to admit they made a mistake, used poor judgment, or gave in to a weakness. Some people will even go to a therapist and pay to get a name for their disorder in an attempt to legitimize what they are doing.

But to confess, 'I have sinned,' is just about the hardest thing for people to say. Some people never get around to facing their sin.

We come by our denial and self-deception naturally. The entrance of sin into the human race was accompanied by deception, denial, and finger-pointing, and apart from Jesus Christ those are still human-kind's preferred methods for trying to deal with sin (vv. 1-5).

There is no question that Eve was deceived. She knew God's command concerning the forbidden tree, even though she was not present when God delivered it to Adam (Gen. 2:16-17). The serpent didn't try to talk her out of what she knew. He took the direct approach of denying that God had Eve's welfare at heart when He issued His prohibition.

The devil bluntly accused God of holding out on His creatures and Eve bought the lie. Adam ate with full knowledge that he was disobeying God, and as the head of the race he was the one God sought out first (v. 9).

That's when the blame game started. Adam indicted Eve, and Eve passed the guilt along to the serpent. But each was guilty, and each came under God's judgment. Over the next week we will see what the Bible says about the disease of sin and its cure.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Genesis 3:15 is the gospel in its earliest form.

This great verse gave the sinners in Eden the assurance that one day Satan and his scheme of sin would be crushed by a woman's 'offspring.' We just celebrated the fulfillment of that promise in the birth of Jesus Christ. Is He your Savior today? If not, you can come to Him in faith right now and receive forgiveness from the guilt and penalty of sin. And if you know Christ, why not pray today for any Today in the Word readers who may be unsure about their relationship with Christ?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 3:9-20
No one will be declared righteous in [God's] sight by observing the law. - Romans 3:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the book Devotions for Kindred Spirits, John Witmer tells of a husband who was helping his wife rearrange furniture. As the man picked up a very expensive crystal vase, his wife warned him to be careful. He got all the way across the room with the treasure, but just as he reached out to set it on the table, it slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor. The man started to remind his angry wife that he had carried the vase safely across the room, but decided that wouldn't help much!

This scene, says Dr. Witmer, is a picture of our attempts to please God by our own works of righteousness. Unlike the game of horseshoes, close doesn't count. Even if we make it almost all the way, James says if we stumble at just one point in trying to keep God's law, we are guilty of the whole thing (James 2:10).

The Bible doesn't leave us in doubt. There isn't a person on earth who can avoid or deny God's sin indictment. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about the best or the worst of people. We are 'all under sin' (v. 9).

In Romans 3 Paul was arguing that despite the tremendous advantages the Jews had as recipients of God's law, they also like the Gentiles had failed to obey God. Rather than claiming the law as their justification, the Jews found the law to be their accuser.

Paul's indictment of the human race (vv. 10-18) proves at least two points of theology that are critical for us to know. First, the fact that these verses are a compilation of Old Testament quotations shows that God had woven the truth of people's sin throughout His Word. This was not some new doctrine Paul had concocted. The apostle could say, just like Jesus said to the devil in His temptation, 'It is written' (v. 10; cf. Matt 4:4). This was God's message, not Paul's.

Second, these verses reveal the painful truth that at heart, human beings are not pretty nice people who fall just a little bit short of God's expectations. We are sinners by birth (Rom. 5:12) and by choice (Rom. 3: 9, 12). Despite his religious background, Paul confessed, 'I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature' (Rom. 7:18). Without Christ, this is true for every one of us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In case you're wondering why we didn't go on to the good news at the end of Romans 3, we'll study that on Friday.

Until we are brought face-to-face with the disease of our sin, we are not ready for God's cure of salvation through Christ. And even as believers, we continue to struggle with sin. We must remember to confess and forsake sin (1 John 1:9) as soon as the Holy Spirit makes us aware of it. Ask Him to search your heart today, and be ready to bring things up to date.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 51:1-17
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. - Psalm 51:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
The father of a soldier, who was being court-martialed, appealed to president Abraham Lincoln to pardon his son. Lincoln then brought out a telegram he had received from one of his generals, who asked Lincoln not to interfere in the case. But when the man's face fell in despair, Lincoln wrote a note saying the soldier was not to be shot until further orders were given from the President.

'Why, I thought it was a pardon,' the father said.

'My old friend,' Lincoln replied, 'I see you are not very well acquainted with me. If your son never dies until orders come from me to shoot him, he will live to be a great deal older than Methuselah.'

Lincoln's dilemma is a good illustration of two aspects of sin that are two more reasons why theology matters. These are guilt and forgiveness, two biblical teachings that have been the victim of much unclear thinking in our culture.

Forgiveness was a hot topic of conversation this past year. But much of the rhetoric shows that once again, the world's idea of forgiveness falls short of the biblical standard. That's doubly true for the generally accepted notion of what it means to be guilty.

In David's prayer of confession, we are reminded that only God can forgive the guilt of sin (v 14). This is because sin is first and foremost an offense against God and His holy standards. David, a murderer and adulterer, said to God, 'Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight' (v. 4).

God is the offended party whom we must deal with when we sin. That's a radical departure from the idea that guilt is solely a legal concept to be decided in court, or an outmoded relic from our Puritan past that needs to be discarded. If all behavior was a person's private business, it would be virtually impossible to determine guilt.

It's not surprising that people who have a defective view of guilt also tend to devalue forgiveness. It's not just a matter of God patting us on the head and sending us on our way. David knew there was a cost to forgiveness, and his plea to God reflected his knowledge that sin required a blood sacrifice.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 130:3 makes the profound statement: 'If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?'

The answer, of course, is that none of us could stand before God. Praise the Lord that verse 4 continues, 'But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.' When we think of the guilt that sin brings, and what it cost God to forgive us, we can't do anything but praise Him for a priceless gift. We suggest that you put praise at the top of today's prayer list.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 5:12-21
Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. - 1 Peter 3:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
If you have shared the gospel with non-Christians, you know that one of the major contentions of many unbelievers is the idea that the human race stands guilty before God because of Adam's sin.

The objection usually goes something like this: 'Wait a minute. You mean God is going to hold me accountable for what Adam did?' That stops many people cold because it doesn't seem fair. Even Christians sometimes have a difficult time believing that all of us were somehow present 'in Adam' when he sinned.

But that's what we understand Paul to be teaching in Romans 5. Actually, fairness isn't the issue here. Paul doesn't say we will have to answer for Adam's sin. What the apostle says is that we share in the guilt and condemnation that Adam's sin brought upon the entire human race. People will answer for their own sins 'because all sinned' (v. 12).

But we can't avoid the fact that God passed the death sentence for Adam's sin onto his descendants. Paul's argument here is irrefutable. We know that God condemned all people to death for sin because everyone dies. Death reigned from Adam to Moses (v. 14), and it is still reigning over our fallen world today.

But the thrust of this passage is hope, not despair! A careful reading of these verses shows that Paul is building a powerful contrast between Adam's failure and Christ's obedience. In fact, Paul says Adam 'was a pattern of the one to come' (v. 14), who is Christ. That's why Paul called Christ 'the last Adam' (1 Cor. 15:45).

The contrast between Adam and Christ is one of ruin and restoration. All that Adam lost by his sin and disobedience, Christ regained by His obedience and death on the cross.

But Jesus did so much more than an even exchange. Although sin entered the human race through Adam, the grace of God that came through Christ overflowed the reach of sin to make eternal life available to all. This doesn't mean salvation is automatic or universal. People must still receive God's grace (v. 17). But for those who do, the results of Adam's sin are reversed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We hope your plans for the new year include a ministry of personal evangelism. The opportunities are all around us.

Imagine telling terminal cancer patients that the effects of the disease had been completely reversed, and their health had been not only restored but improved. That's the message we have for those around us who are spiritually terminal in sin. Let's ask God to help us be alert for opportunities today and this weekend to communicate Christ's message of hope and love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 3:21-26
[All] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
More than twenty-eight years after receiving a life sentence for heroine possession, a man in Texas was found and arrested last fall for fleeing from that sentence. He went to California in February 1970 while still free on bail, and began crafting a new identity. The defendant believes he has paid his debt to society by turning from a drug addict to a productive citizen, but others argue that the original sentence must still be fulfilled.

Cases such as this one can produce some knotty legal and moral issues. But God's case against a sinful human race has no such tangles. It is airtight. Earlier in Romans 3, Paul established the justice of God's case against us (see the January 5 study). 'There is no one righteous, not even one' (Rom. 3:10).

But God is merciful as well as just. Our sin produced what one Bible commentator calls the 'divine dilemma': how God could forgive guilty sinners without compromising His perfect justice against sin. The answer is the death of His perfect Son on the cross to satisfy God's judgment against sin.

This is how sinners can share in God's righteousness. The answer is not in trying to keep the law. The righteousness that saves us is 'apart from law' (v. 21), and is applied to our case 'freely' by the grace of God made available in Christ (v. 24).

This application of grace is God's act of justification, a legal term meaning that we have been 'declared righteous' in His sight. Justification does not mean 'just as if we'd never sinned,' which is the theological equivalent of saying, 'Just pretend it never happened.'

God can't do that not if His justice against sin is going to be satisfied. Twice Paul states that God required a payment for sin 'to demonstrate His justice' (vv. 25-26). The blow fell on Christ, who fulfilled God's requirement of perfect obedience to the law. Because of who Christ is, His death has saving power 'for all who believe' (v. 23).

It's obvious that God's justice was at stake here, because He had shown great 'forbearance,' or patience (v. 25), toward the sins committed prior to the cross. But God didn't overlook those sins, or pretend they never happened. He knew that payment would be made when His Son died.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's lesson brings us back to the truth that theology matters!

It matters in salvation because anyone who wants to spend eternity in heaven must come through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Yesterday we prayed for opportunities to witness. Today, why not make your prayer more specific by writing down the names of three people you want to bring to the Lord? Make them a top-priority prayer focus beginning today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 1:3-8
In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. - Ephesians 1:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
The author of the hymn 'Amazing Grace' knew what he was talking about when he called himself a 'wretch' who found God's grace. By the time he was twenty-three, John Newton had experienced more sin and degradation than most people know in a lifetime. The son of a British sea captain, Newton became the virtual slave of an evil slave trader in North Africa and would have starved to death had not the slaves tken pity on him and shared their food. Later, Newton became the captain of his own slave ship, and was so degenerate that his own crew members considered him little more than an animal.

But when Newton hit bottom, God reached down and saved him John Newton was released from the slavery of sin. That's the meaning behind the wonderful truth of redemption, another example that theology matters a great deal. People who don't really believe they are in slavery to sin won't be interested in finding freedom.

Redemption pictures a market in which slaves were auctioned off, a reality in Paul's world. A master could pay the price for a slave and then set that slave free, but it would be a costly act of love and grace. That is what the death of Christ enabled God to do for us.

Sin is so enslaving that Jesus said, 'Everyone who sins is a slave to sin' (John 8:34). That includes the whole human race, since the Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall under God's judgment.

There are no people more helpless to do something about their condition than slaves. We were hopeless and helpless slaves to sin, but Paul tells us that God took pity on us and moved in our behalf even before 'the creation of the world' (v. 4). God's sovereign, loving choice makes His grace even more amazing.

Jesus Christ's blood was the price necessary to buy us back from the slave market of sin, and He paid the price freely on the cross. The result of Christ's death is the forgiveness of our sins, the chains that held us in slavery.

The price of redemption was unbelievably costly. But God held nothing back, giving us everything we needed 'in accordance with the riches of [His] grace' (v. 7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
That last phrase simply means that God paid lavishly to redeem us. He owned the best, and He gave the best.

This fact raises a question. How are you doing in giving back to God the best of your time, resources, service, and abilities? This is an issue that deserves some thought, and we encourage you to do that this weekend. Try to find a time and place where you can be alone with God. Begin by thanking Him for His lavish grace, and examine your walk with Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 John 2:1-2
[God] loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - 1 John 4:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Earlier this month we referred to the kind of god that some people have created in their own imagination and pretend to worship: a non-judgmental, easy-going deity who isn't really upset with anybody and welcomes all who come, regardless of the path they take to reach him.

But this 'feel good' deity of the '90s amounts to nothing when it comes to the nature of the true God as revealed in Scripture. God's love is infinite, without a doubt. But so is His holiness, an attribute of God that makes it impossible for Him to tolerate or compromise with sin.

As the psalmist wrote: 'God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day' (Ps. 7:11). Good theology is very important at this point, because it keeps us from charging God with displaying the kind of temperamental outbursts people often show when someone upsets them.

The anger of God suffers from no such defect. It is not an explosive rage that lashes out indiscriminately. Instead, as we said above, it is a fixed, righteous attribute of God's character that must be satisfied before sinful people can enjoy His forgiveness.

That's where the good news of today's reading comes in. Among all the benefits we enjoy as a result of Jesus' death on the cross is the fact that His sacrifice satisfied God's wrath against sin. The words 'atoning sacrifice' (1 John 2:2; 4:10) could be translated as 'satisfaction' or 'propitiation,' a word we don't hear much anymore. The phrase is a little different in Hebrews 2:17 ('make atonement for'), but it's the same term in the original Greek of the New Testament.

The picture here is tremendous. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, this part of Christ's work was foreshadowed by the 'atonement cover' (Exod. 25:17), the golden lid on the ark of the covenant. This was the place where the high priest sprinkled the blood of the sin offering on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:15), thus satisfying, or propitiating, God's anger against sin for another year.

But Christ accomplished this permanently. If you know Christ as your Savior, God's anger against your sin has been satisfied, for all eternity!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Given the work that Christ has done for sin, it's foolish for sinful people to try and satisfy a holy God by their own efforts.

In much the same way, it's foolish for Christians to feel like we have to constantly earn God's favor by our devotion. Here's another issue for our thoughtful consideration. Are you serving God to try to win His approval, or out of gratitude because He has already approved of the Savior to whom you belong? Your answer will make all the difference in your Christian life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 3:1-15
You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a letter to Benjamin Franklin, the great eighteenth-century preacher George Whitefield encouraged Franklin to pursue spiritual truth. Whitefield wrote, 'I would now humbly recommend to your diligent, unprejudiced pursuit and study, the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important, interesting study; and when mastered, will richly answer and repay you for all your pains. One, at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared, without it we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.'

Franklin's response to his friend's plea is not recorded. But Whitefield's statement about the necessity of the new birth is good theology. Jesus said the same thing in John 3:5. What people decide about this makes the difference between heaven and hell.

The clarity of the Lord's statements to Nicodemus has been obscured somewhat in today's 'sound bite' culture. Some in the media insist on using the term 'born-again' Christian as a synonym for religious fanatic.

Aside from the inaccuracy of this caricature, the unfortunate thing is that many people now consider born-again Christians to be a very small and narrow band on the spectrum of Christianity.

It is the new birth that gives spiritual life to a person who is dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-5). Nicodemus's question about physical birth reveals that he was struggling to understand what Jesus meant by being born again.

In verses 5-8, Jesus explained that the new birth is spiritual. We are given new life by the Holy Spirit who comes to live within us when we believe in Christ. Although Nicodemus still wasn't sure what Jesus was saying (v. 9), at least this Israelite leader was no longer thinking of a new physical birth.

The interesting thing about this passage is that Nicodemus's decision is not recorded. He later defended Jesus in the Jewish council (John 7:50) and helped Joseph at Jesus' burial (John 19:39), which may well indicate that Nicodemus became a follower of Christ. But the gospel account does not make this clear.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A letter like the one George Whitefield wrote is one way to show interest in another person's spiritual welfare.

Maybe a letter to a friend or family member would be a good way for you to express this concern. A letter is sometimes more easily received than a face-to-face visit, and it's a good way to speak with someone when a personal visit isn't possible. Think about the unsaved people you are concerned for, and consider whether a letter might be a good idea.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 5:6-8
When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. - Romans 5:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Throughout church history, theologians and clergy have come up with their own explanations for the death of Christ. Some of these so-called theories of the atonement are really denials of the Bible's teaching that Christ's death was a sacrificial offering for sin in which Jesus died in the place of condemned sinners.

One of these atonement theories is the Example Theory, which says that Jesus died not to atone for sin, but to show us how to die. This reduces the cross to a noble example of suffering that we can all admire.

The point is that the theology of Christ's atonement is a crucial matter. If Jesus died simply as an example of grace under suffering, or some other similar idea, then we can admire Him, but it wouldn't make a great difference in terms of our own spiritual condition or our eternal destination.

Praise God for the ringing truth of His Word! The verses we read today state the truth about the nature of Christ's death in a powerful, undeniable way. Jesus died 'for us' (v. , in our place. He took our sentence of eternal death upon Himself so that we might live.

Why was the cross necessary? Because we were 'powerless,' too feeble to do anything about our sin. And Paul doesn't leave us in any doubt about that condition. We were 'ungodly,' 'sinners,' when Christ gave Himself for us. There was nothing attractive about us that would cause a person to volunteer to die in our place.

That's the contrast between human love and God's love. There are differences of opinion about what Paul means by his unusual statement in verse 7. It may be that he isn't making any real distinction between a righteous and a good person. In that case, the second statement softens the first. Or, Paul may be contrasting a person who is merely upright or just with one who is loving and kind.

Either way, we were not righteous or good. Jesus died for us when we were His enemies. Nothing but God's love can explain this kind of sacrifice.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If Jesus could willingly sacrifice His life to save us, no sacrifice we could make for Him is too great.

It's possible that God has been speaking to you about a specific area in which He wants you to take a step of sacrifice. It could be in giving Him more of your time, your finances, or your devotion. Maybe it's an attitude or habit that He knows you would be better off leaving behind this year. If God has laid the need before you, don't hesitate to obey Him. And if the willingness is not there yet, ask God to give you that desire.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 9:1-7
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
The hymnwriter Fanny Crosby was blinded shortly after birth as a result of a doctor's mistake. But this remarkable woman overcame her disability to live a long and productive life. She provided the church with countless hymns, and gave a joyful testimony for Christ. Mrs. Crosby often said she was glad to be blind, since it meant the first thing she would see was the face of Jesus.

We could spend the rest of the month debating the theological questions raised by events like the accident that cost Fanny Crosby her sight. Some people would use this and other examples to doubt the goodness and justice of God. After all, a newborn baby has not committed any terrible sin that would deserve this kind of punishment.

Other people, like the disciples of Jesus, look at incidents like this and conclude that something must be wrong with the person in question. Accidents and tragedies seem to prove their theory that personal misfortune is a direct punishment for sin.

Obviously, it matters what you believe about the goodness of God and the way He deals with people. The story of the blind man whom Jesus healed helps us to see these questions in their proper setting. As much as human logic might make us think otherwise, God's goodness is not on trial for human suffering. Instead, the issue is the outworking of His purpose.

That's where Jesus put the emphasis when the disciples raised the obvious question concerning this man. Someone must have sinned, they reasoned, or the man would not have been born with this terrible disability.

Jesus' answer shows that their question was little more than idle speculation. The Lord was focused on compassion for the man, and the achievement of God's glory and purpose in his life. Jesus reminded His disciples that their calling, and His, was to do God's work while there was still time, not to sit around theorizing (v. 4).

That's a good word for us. The fact is that some questions are beyond human logic. Fanny Crosby did not question God's goodness, but was determined to seek His will and glory. So was Paul, in spite of his illness (2 Cor. 12:1-10). Our theology needs to move us in the same direction.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If it had been up to the disciples, they might have overlooked this man's need and walked on by while having their theological debate.

That doesn't mean it's wrong to ask questions, or wrestle with tough issues. But we can help people even when we don't have all the answers. Is there someone in need whom you may be overlooking, for whatever reason? Let's pray today that God will open our eyes and hearts to those around us whom He wants us to touch.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 16:19-31
The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment. - 2 Peter 2:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
It's never been popular to believe that the biblical doctrine of hell is more than a myth, and it's probably less popular than ever today. What else can we expect in a culture where nobody is responsible for their actions?

The notion that everything is peace and light beyond the grave for everyone has also been helped along by the many 'near-death' stories published over the last few decades. People of all religious stripes claim they have traveled to the 'other side' and experienced a welcoming light or presence.

It's not necessarily our job to debate the validity of these experiences, or try to argue people out of their claims. The most important stand we can take is to believe and uphold the Bible's clear teaching on the reality of hell.

We'll talk about the Bible's theology of judgment next week, but we need to mention it here because it goes hand-in-glove with the doctrine of eternal punishment. God would be less than infinitely holy if He did not judge sin.

In fact, if God did not banish sin from His presence, heaven would be less than it is, as shown during Lucifer's rebellion (Isa. 14:12-15). The awfulness of hell is God's answer to Satan's attempt at a hostile takeover of heaven. Jesus said hell was created 'for the devil and his angels' (Matt. 25:41).

Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus to warn against the dangers of pursuing wealth instead of God (Luke 16:14). The details of the story reflect an Old Testament view of life beyond the grave. We must remember that Jesus' words were uttered prior to the cross and the establishment of the New Covenant.

This account was not given as a theological treatise on heaven and hell. However, since Jesus taught nothing but the truth we can glean at least three important truths about life after death, and hell in particular, from this story.

First, there is the reality of judgment based on our actions in this life. Second, notice the reality of suffering in hell. The rich man was 'in agony' (v. 24). And third, Jesus taught that His Word contains all a person needs to get to heaven and avoid hell.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Why doesn't God do something spectacular, like writing in the sky, to convince people of His truth and persuade them to accept Christ?

First, some people wouldn't be convinced even if God did do something spectacular (v. 31). Second, we have something better than that: the Word of God. This is why everything we do at Moody Bible Institute is designed to spread the gospel. Please pray for the worldwide Moody family today as we seek to reach lost people for Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:1-6
We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. - 1 John 3:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
The late preacher and author Vance Havner told of the time when, as a boy, he carved the inscription 'Heaven I hope to win' on a chimney brick outside his home. Returning to the house more than fifty years later he found the inscription, well worn but with the words 'heaven' and 'hope' still visible.

Havner said of that experience, 'I have my Savior's word about [heaven]: 'If it were not so, I would have told you' (John 14:2). That settles it. If it weren't true, He would let us know. And on that rock I stand.'

Havner was right on target. Heaven and hope are two words that go together. Our hope of heaven is as sure as Jesus' truthfulness. He promised us a home with Him, and urged us to trust Him so completely for it that we can rest assured.

Unlike belief in hell, belief in heaven is a popular item today. We see books, magazines, television shows, and even Hollywood films about angels everywhere.

But like most popular movements, we need to make sure that what is being said lines up with the Bible's teaching on heaven and how people get there. If not, a lot of people could be led down the wrong path and miss heaven. That's how much correct theology matters. And that's where much of the popular belief falls short.

Actually, the truth is so much better than fiction anyway. The best thing about heaven is Jesus' presence; heaven is being with Him (v. 3).

But the Savior didn't leave us in the dark about how a person can reach heaven. In His exchange with Thomas, Jesus answered for all time the question far too many people today are still fuzzy about. There aren't many paths to paradise.

Jesus is the one preparing heaven for those who believe in Him. And He's the one coming back to take His people home. So He has the right to claim, 'I am the way.'

We Christians have been accused of being heavenly minded. Guilty as charged! Paul said if our hope in Christ is limited to this life, we are to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:19). But like Vance Havner said, Jesus' promise is a rock on which we can stand.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our hope of Christ's returning to take us to heaven should have a purifying affect on us today (1 John 3:3).

When we see Jesus, John says, we will finally be like Him. Ideally, that moment will be the culmination of our lifelong quest to be as much like Jesus as we can be. Are you carrying around an attitude or action that isn't helping you practice the purity of life Jesus wants? Determine to get rid of the problem now. You'll have to leave it behind someday anyway!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. - Isaiah 6:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
A.W. Tozer once said the most important thing anyone could know about him was what he believed about God.

That's another way of saying that theology matters. What Tozer said about the importance of his view of God can be said about each one of us. What we believe about God is so crucial because everything else in our lives is built on that foundation. If the foundation is shaky, things will start to crumble.

As with most of our studies so far this month, we can't summarize everything the Bible teaches about God in a few lines. Isaiah 6 is a good representative because it captures the majesty of God's Person, His perfect holiness and overwhelming presence. Isaiah knew he was standing before an awe-inspiring God when he had his vision in the temple.

Missionaries and others who live among various cultures observe that people tend to create and then worship gods whom reflect their own peculiar tendencies. A tribe or village prone to violence invariably creates gods whom they believe delight in violence and blood.

This was true in the nations around Israel, as well. That's one reason God commanded the Israelites to eradicate the Canaanites.

How different the true God is from one of these created beings. He is so unlike us, so exalted over His creation, that we can't control Him or make Him simply a reflection of ourselves.

Isaiah was struck with awe, and even terror, when he saw a vision of God on His throne. The presence of the seraphim and their thunderous voices are a picture of indescribable majesty. The repetition of the word 'holy' speaks of God's perfect holiness His complete purity and separation from anything evil.

Isaiah did the same thing we would have done. He cried out in distress, suddenly very aware of his sinfulness. But it was at this point that the character of this terrifying God shined through. Instead of erasing the prophet with a blast of holiness, God sent an angel to cleanse and forgive Isaiah.

We don't have to ask Isaiah what he believed about God. The question was what Isaiah's encounter with God did to him. We face the same question because, amazingly, this holy God has said, 'Be holy, because I am holy' (1 Pet. 1:16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isaiah 6 is not the kind of text we can just read and put down. It seems to demand some reflection.

But too many of our schedules allow too little time for reflection and meditation on God and His Word. God Himself tells us, 'Be still, and know that I am God' (Ps. 46:10). Make sure this day includes some time alone with the Lord to thank Him for His holiness, and consider what it means to be holy the way He is holy.