“Through your culture (tradition), you will make the Word of God of no effect” Mk. 7:13.
Have you ever considered who or what has shaped your concepts of God? Cultural ideas are often exalted above God’s Word because they make sense to us. Paul said to the Galatians, “You’ve made Christ of no effect in your life. You’
re on your way to Heaven, but religious concepts prevent Christ from changing your life.”
The church has made God out to be a schizophrenic with conflicting teaching that says, “God may kill you today, but if He’s in a good mood, He may heal you tomorrow. God will prosper you, but if you get too much, He’ll take it away to keep you humble.” You find yourself scared & wondering, “Who are you today, God?”
The apostle Paul said he had to let go of everything he thought he already knew about God in order to truly know Him. Paul knew the law better than anyone. If he said that’s what it takes, then we’re wise to heed his instruction. You can commit to knowing God for yourself today, “God, “I won’t believe anything about You until I find it in the Bible for myself. I’ll consider what I hear, but I’ll first determine if it’s consistent with Your Word, Your names, & what I have through Jesus before I believe it.”
If you’d like to discover the same truth Job did, CLICK HERE to watch this week’s CyberChurch message “The God of Order”.
Ps 78:31 AMP “The wrath of God came upon them and slew the strongest and sturdiest of them, and smote down Israel’s chosen youth.” When I look at the Hebrew (https://scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/OTpdf/psa78.pdf) the word translates as killing. How do I reconcile the God Jesus portrays to a God who kills in wrath as in this account/context? How does this align with “God is only good?”
thx
Psalm 78 is a history warning of the effects of disobeying, denying, running after idols and holding God in little esteem. Time after time God warned them of the effects they would suffer for disobedience and disrespect. And so when they did they suffered the consequences. Remember that God had a plan for the mighty men to be the army to conquer the promised land -which God had shown mercy to for over 400 years – and when they chased after idols they could not complete the good plans God had for the Israelites.