A Firm Grip on the Christian Life: 2: The Word of God - Zac Poonen - October 31, 2009
http://rlcfchurch.org/firm-grip-christian-life RLCF Youth Conference 2009 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true understanding of scripture comes not from clever study or tradition, but from profound humility and revelation by the Holy Spirit. He warns against misinterpreting scripture by ignoring necessary conditions, using the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus as a primary example. Ultimately, one must walk in the light—living openly and truthfully—for the blood of Christ to cleanse them from sin.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why revelation requires humilityNatural intelligence and cleverness cannot unlock spiritual truth; God hides these things from the clever and reveals them to babes who possess humility.
Trembling at the Word of GodGod looks with favor on the person who is humble, contrite in spirit, and trembles at His word, willing to surrender long-held traditions.Isaiah 66:1–2
The condition for cleansing by the bloodMany Christians quote promises out of context, but 1 John 1:7 attaches a clear condition: the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin if we walk in the light.
Walking in the light means not hiding or blamingAdam and Eve demonstrated the stupidity of sin by trying to hide and shifting blame, whereas the thief on the cross humbly owned his guilt and found mercy.
Seeing our own unclearness in God's presenceWhen Isaiah saw the glory of God, he stopped condemning the sins of others and cried out 'Woe is me,' illustrating what happens when anyone truly enters God's light.
Sins of commission and sins of omissionBeyond transgressing God's laws through actions, Scripture defines sin as failing to do the right thing we know we ought to do, like the priest and Levite who passed by the injured man.1 John 3:4
Avoiding self-righteousness and prideComparing ourselves to others and thinking we are holier than them makes us like smoke in God's nostrils; true spiritual growth reveals our deep selfishness and pride.
The power of the word of GodJesus declared that man must live by every word proceeding from God's mouth, just as Israel was taught through the daily provision of manna in the wilderness.
Our true predestination is to become like ChristGod's predestined destination for believers is not merely heaven, but that they should be conformed to the image of His Son.Romans 8:29
Transformation through the renewing of the mindRomans 12:2 explains that we reach our destination not through external rules, but by being transformed through the renewing of our mind via the Holy Spirit.
Knowing the thoughts of GodJust as a man's spirit knows his own thoughts, the Holy Spirit gives believers access to the very thoughts of God through His revealed Word.1 Corinthians 2:11–12
A healthy hunger for ScriptureJust as a newborn baby naturally cries out for milk, a truly born-again person possesses a deep, constant hunger to study and live by God's Word.
