Why and What?

Proverbs 10 through 15 are today's chapters, and these pages of scripture are filled to overflowing with practical advice and wisdom.

I don't know about you, but sometimes, I don't feel very smart. I realize that there is so much I don't know, so many things to learn, and such a gap between what and who I want to be, and what and who I actually am-- that it can be quite discouraging. Thankfully, God promises to provide what I lack if I genuinely seek and lean on Him for discernment and understanding.

Much of the practical "how-to" advice that we need for getting by day-to-day can be found in the Proverbs of Solomon. In these chapters we can read about how to wisely use our money, how to guard our tongues, how to avoid the snares of evil temptations, how to treat others, and what we need to know about good versus evil in terms of how our choices will ultimately affect our futures.

What disturbs me today though, and what I want to write to you about, is the very unfortunate lack of understanding of basic Bible doctrine that is apparently plaguing many Christian churches. I listened recently to an interview that included a poll taken at a religious broadcaster's meeting in which this question was posed: "What does the doctrine of justification mean for your life?".

The lack of understanding about this basic tenet of our Christian faith was astounding. What's more, a recent study suggests that the vast majority of American church-going teenagers have embraced what is being called "moralistic therapeutic deism," revealing the tremendous lack of understanding of scriptural doctrines among many who believe themselves to be Christian.

My great hope and prayer for you my precious ones, is that you learn and grow in your Christian faith, following the admonition of 1 Peter 3:15 and 16 which reads:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

I pray that you each will know what you believe and why you believe it! I trust that by the time you read this, your parents will have made certain you understand that it is not because you are a good person or because you do good things that you are okay with God. I hope you will each have insatiable appetites for learning about the righteousness that is imputed to you through Christ's life, death and resurrection! And I pray that when you feel inadequate, unintelligent or ignorant (as I so often do) you will call on the One who delights in revealing His truth to sincere seekers.

Soli Deo Gloria
Solo Christo
Sola Scriptura
Sola Fide
Sola Gratia
Amen.