“I love God, but I hate the Bible.” Although I cannot imagine anyone actually uttering those words, many people’s lives seem to indicate that is what they are thinking. Why is it that people think they can have God without His word?

Bible

I finished my journey through the Word yesterday. Yesterday was day 90 of going through the Bible in 90 days (90 day challenge). It seems to me that what was true in nearly every time period of biblical history is true today, people seem to be saying, “I want to blessed by God, but not instructed by Him.” The people of Israel wanted God’s protection and favor, but they would not listen to the prophets who preached His word. Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, andyou would not” (Matthew 23:37).

We are living in the best time that has ever been. Jesus has brought us a “better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22) with “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). The New Testament is so much better than the Old Law, giving us freedom in Christ (Galatians 2:4). Yet many act as if the freedom that is offered in Christ is a license to do whatever they please. Their lives seems to say, “I’m a Christian and that means I don’t have to listen to Christ and His word.” How ridiculous and how sad!

Paul asks, “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?” Which is what many seem to be indicating they believe, even today. Paul answers his own question, “By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Romans 6:15-16).

If you truly love God, then you will love His word. You cannot love God and hate the Bible. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). The book of Ecclesiastes is summed up this way, and I think it is a fitting summary for the entire Bible as well, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

So you must ask yourself, does your mouth say, “I love God” while your life says, “I hate His word”?

I love you and the God of the Bible loves you.

Wes McAdams

 

 

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