Godliness

Sunday School Books

Almost every baptist church where I have attended Sunday-school (or their version of Sunday-school), used a Lifeway publication Sunday-school book. Although, I have found very few points given in the lessons to which I disagree, I do not recommend their use for the following reasons:

1. Their use does not promote individual reflection on the passage. Although I am all for reading how more learned individuals than myself interpret a passage, I am a firm believer that my brain should be pressed to come up with a thought or two of its own first. The use (or perhaps misuse) of Sunday school books often result in readers simply reading what the author thought about a certain passage of scripture, and recommendations from the author own how this should apply to the reader's life. In our intellectually lazy society, these type books are a potential crutch that can leave the users handicap for life. If the human mind (or at least mine) is not forced to come up with some thoughts of its own, it blindly regurgitates others. Sunday school books are not the only trap for the intellectually lazy mind. Commentaries are another very common one. I attended an ADULT Sunday school class at a church in Little Rock, where each member simply read what their commentary said about the passage.

2. Their use discourages class members from utilizing their own bible. Most Sunday school books that I have seen print the selected verses in the lesson. I am not saying that there is anything special or anointed about an individual's own bible, but I do believe that Christians, (young Christians especially) should be accustom to looking up a passages and seeing their context. For example the famous verse John 3:16, Who is speaking? Who is are they speaking with? Which brings me to my next point...

3. Sunday School books often skip verses. Often times when Sunday school members are ask to read a passage, they will read a couple of verses then skip down and read several verses latter in that section, with no mention whatsoever of the verses in between. I don't cook much, but I know that it is pretty important to read all the directions in the order they appear. I understand that the bible is not a recipe book, but the author probably did have a purpose for the layout of the passage. If he put a statement in between two other statements, it was probably for a purpose.

I admit Sunday School books can be a very effective teaching tool, but a tool used in the wrong manner can be destructive rather than constructive.

Let Me No Longer Waste My Time

Since this is the beginning of Christmas break from school, I thought this was very appropriate.

Almighty God, I adore Your infinite patience, which has not cut me off in the midst of my follies; I magnify Your wonderful goodness, which has spared me thus long. Let me no longer abuse that precious treasure--time, which you have allotted me as a proper season to work out my own salvation, and secure that happiness which is great in itself, and infinite in its duration.

Let me bid adieu to all those vain amusements, those trifling entertainments and sinful diversions, which have robbed me of many valuable hours, and endangered the loss of my immortal soul. Let me no longer waste my time in ease and pleasure, in unprofitable studies, and more unprofitable conversation; but grant, that, by diligence and honesty in my calling, by constancy and fervor in my devotions, by moderation and temperance in my enjoyments, by justice and charity in all my words and actions, and by keeping a conscience void of offence to God and man--I may be able to give a good account in the day of judgment, and be accepted in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only mediator and advocate.Amen.

-from Hannah More "The Book of Private Devotion"

Galatians 1:6-9

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:6-9

If your anything like me, you probably associate a “gospel message” with a service that the pastor preaches on a special occasion when people who do not normally attend church come. Paul wrote this passage “to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). As Christians we do not get saved by the gospel, then leave it and go on to better things. The gospel should be the centerpiece of our Christians walk.
“Turning away so soon for HIM who called you in the grace of Christ” (verse 6). Whenever we turn away from the gospel, we are turning away from God. “To a different gospel, which is not another” (verse 6 & 7) There are FALSE gospels. Not every path, regardless of how dedicated you are to following it, leads to the same destination. Biblical Christianity is very narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The human condition is not some common illness that we all get from time to time, with numerous medicines (Brand or generics) and home remedies that are able to improve the quality of your life. Sin is a deadly disease that is fatal 100% of the time, if the ONE antidote is not taken.
“Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (verse 8) Whoever is preaching, regardless of their credentials, a different gospel than the one prescribed in the bible is a false teacher. No matter which pharmacist you go to, if they are trying to give you something other than the ONE antidote that can save you, don’t take it.
The most common false gospel is the gospel of works, as opposed to the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. The idea that God will somehow let us into heaven based upon our own goodness. Please see the “Are you are good person” link on the right side of the page for more on that subject.

Galatians 1:3-5

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”-Galatians 1:3-5

“Grace to you and peace form God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” If you believe that the bible is the inspired word of God then this message should be an incredible encouragement to you. God almighty, who’s eyes are too pure to even look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13), is offering grace and peace to you! You were brought forth in iniquity, conceived in sin. (Psalms 51:5), and the intent of your heart was only evil from your youth (Genesis 8:21). Yet God is extending to you peace, instead of a declaration of war.Since God is not lenient towards sinners (Psalms 7:11-12, Proverbs 17:15), how is it possible that He is extending peace to us? The answer is in verse 4. Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins! Jesus Christ was absolutely blameless, perfect in the sight God (2nd Corinthians 5:21), yet He bore the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53:6). He lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died. God credited our sins to Jesus, and His righteousness to us. If we believe in Christ, we are no longer enemies God, but we are reconciled to Him by the death of His son (Romans 5:10).Jesus Christ’s bearing the penalty for our sins not only spared us from the wrath of God, it also made provisions for Him to deliver us from this present evil age. We can have the confidence that if God has begun the work of conforming us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), He will finish it (Philippians 1:6).All of this is due to the will of God the Father. It was the Father’s plan before the foundation of the world that He would send His only Son, that whoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Knowing that it was God’s plan should give us comfort in that the Father was completely satisfied in Christ’s sacrifice. It also means that all the glory belongs to Him forever.

Questions to consider:

Are you living at peace with God, or are you an enemy?

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ as the payment for your sins or are you trusting in you own “goodness”?

Are you being delivered from this present evil age, and conformed to the image to Christ, or are you conforming to the world?

Are you seeking to steal the glory that belongs to God alone?