Too many people approach the Bible as some kind of book of do’s and don’ts. They go through the Bible, as it were, making a list of the things they can do and making a list of the things they cannot do. As they do this, they are often looking for the verses that specifically tell them that they can’t do something that they want to do. If this is your approach to the Bible, you have completely missed the point of the Bible. Does the Bible contain do’s and don’ts? Certainly it does. But is that the only purpose and the only content of the Bible? And what is your purpose, if that is what you are seeking?
The design of the Bible is to introduce mankind to their origin, their purpose and their destiny. It answers the questions, “Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?” The book details for created beings their Creator. It unfolds for lost beings their Savior. It presents for helpless souls their divine purpose. If you’re just looking for do’s and don’ts, you will find them and you must follow them, but you’re missing the big picture and operating in shallow waters.
The Bible tells you that you have been “created…in the image of God” (Gen. 1:26- 27). That makes you unique, special and purposeful to God. Why did He create you? Simple. “For His glory” (Isa. 43:7). Are you fulfilling your purpose?
The Bible tells you that “God loves you” (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10). That makes you unique, special and purposeful to God. Why did He extend His love to you? Simple. “That we love God and keep His commandments” (1 John 4:7-5:5). Are you fulfilling your purpose?
The Bible tells you that, if you have followed God’s plan, you have been “saved,” for He “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev. 1:5; Eph. 1:7). That makes you unique, special and purposeful to Jesus. Why did He save you? Simple. That you’d be “zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:14; 3:5- 8; Eph. 2:10). Are you fulfilling your purpose?
When you come to the Bible and learn and delight in the reality that there is a God in heaven who created you, loves you and saves you, is your immediate thought (or should your immediate thought be), “Well, that’s great! But what is there that He won’t let me do?” Of course not! Your immediate reaction is (or should be) wonder, respect, excitement, humility and a willing eagerness to love and please this God above everything else. When that’s your heart, you will ask the question, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6), not “Lord, what will you disappointingly and frustratingly not allow me to do?” He is only and “always” interested in “our good” (Deut. 6:24). Let’s love and trust Him!
-Dan Sproule
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