By Aleena Denison
If the Word of God were banned worldwide, and you, as a believer, had no way of possessing a Bible, yet you wanted your children to know the truth of God's Word, what would you tell them? Since your telling them would be the only way they would ever hear, what stories would you consider most important?
Approximately one year ago a group of Christians took a poll, asking individuals what ten Bible stories they considered most important to be handed down to the following generation. The following are the average answers (not listed in order of importance):
• The first man and woman-- Adam and Eve
• Noah and the Ark
• The Ten Commandments
• David's victory over Goliath
• Daniel and the Lion's Den
• The Christmas story-- Jesus' Birth
• Jesus feeding over five-thousand people with five loaves and two fish
• The Prodigal Son
• The Good Samaritan
• Jesus' Crucifixion
Would these have been your choices, or would you say that you don't know enough about the Bible's stories to choose ten that you consider most important? I think one thing we tend to forget is that there is an overall theme in the Bible, and each story is an illustration of that theme. Of course, the whole Bible is important, but consider the following as the theme, and notice how the Bible's stories tie in:
• Before one can understand anything, he or she must know Who God is. He is eternal; there is none like Him; He is Creator of the universe; He is without fault in anything; He is holy, perfectly just, and sovereign over all, and perfectly loving.
• When God created mankind, he created him with a mind, will, and emotion-- in His own image. Sadly, man chose not to follow God, and now sin is passed down from generation to generation.
• According to God's justice, sin must be punished (no sin is too insignificant for punishment), and death (physically and eternally) is the only accepted punishment.
• Since "the life of a creature is in the blood"(Leviticus 17:11) the only way for sin to be paid for on earth is through the shedding of blood by someone perfect (having no sin). No mortal man can pay because everyone has sin.
• Out of love, God allowed mankind to make temporary covering for sin (atonement) through the blood of an animal. This was an illustration of His promise that He would one day provide a permanent payment for sin.
• Since animals were only temporary covering, and sinful man couldn't permanently pay for sin, God, who is perfect, was the only one who could pay, and He did so through His perfect Son, Jesus.
• Jesus-- God in human flesh-- paid the punishment that sinful mankind was to suffer, and anyone who believes that He permanently took care of that punishment will be freed from sin's price.
• Anyone who believes in Jesus is forgiven by God, and God calls him to follow Him and becoming more like Him, until the day they live with Him and are made perfect creations.
With this theme clear, if Bibles were non-existent, which stories would you choose?
Aleena Denison has a heart for seeing the message of the Bible presented in a clear way,and is dedicated to sharing Jesus with the lost and helping believers see their responsibilities in evangelism, discipleship, and Bible study. For more information and free downloads, see http://www.goodseed.com
Source:www.isnare.com |
