By Mark Maher
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller
I know “the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
God must’ve known the world was going to become so fast moving and it would be difficult for us humans to keep up. Social media is putting us in a season of life that this planet has never seen before. So we must ask is the Bible still relevant?
What makes the Bible so relevant and so fascinating is that it adapts with the times. The world was so much different 2,000 years ago, yet the wisdom found in scripture still applies. The phrase “alive and active, penetrating soul and spirit” is so powerful because what I’ve read before is not the same interpretation when I read it again years later or depending on what season we are going through. Some verses pop out when you’re going through adversity during certain seasons of your life.
One person will read scripture one way and another person will read it another way and they both will interpret the Word of God in different ways, depending on their life circumstances. We can hear the same sermon and interpret it different ways.
The fruits of the spirit is timeless; “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) I also love the timeless biblical principles of contentment, humility, gratefulness and “fear not.”
Culture will try to sell us on what’s most important, but the Bible is our ultimate source. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) The Bible transforms our lives. We read it and through a strong filter of love, it sanctifies and transforms our thoughts, hearts and mind.
The gospels of Christ really emphasize grace and love. We see Christ’s grace filled, loving heart and we want to be different. Loving others well is a core principle and it’s relevant today because through love this biblical principle of reciprocity takes hold “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Mark 6:38)
Want a friend, be a friend? Want hope, give hope, want love, share love, speak life, encourage and through speaking it and thinking it, you become encouraged and gain a positive perspective. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)
We don’t like change, but in our society life changes constantly. So you have to leave things in the past and quickly adapt and move forward. Businesses must adapt or die. I’ll bet you the way your work has changed over time has probably been pretty drastic when you look back, especially with the recent technology explosion.
What worked in one season will probably not work in the next season. What worked with my children a few years ago probably won’t work today. We have to adapt. We have to evolve, grow and transform. What’s God asking you to grow into in this season of your life? “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19)
God is constantly moving so fast and giving us new opportunities, which is why Christ encouraged us to move forward. He told us to “remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32) and don’t look back. Don’t prioritize the past when an ever evolving future can be walk-through by faith. Christ calls us forward. Get on your A-game and then try to keep up with what God will be doing in your life.
Perhaps today the Bible is more relevant than ever before. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
So despite this fast moving world, the Word of God is constantly working in our hearts and minds. “My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your Word.” (Psalm 119:28) New trials, new perspective, new wisdom.
We’re looking for the roadmap, for hope, for a reason why we’re on this planet. But the Word sets His purpose and provides the wisdom necessary to navigate life’s ups and downs. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
