THE IMPACT OF SCRIPTURE ON OUR LIVES

In my last conversation, I talked about The Basis of Man’s Relationship with God. I said that God’s relationship with man is regulated by two main Covenants, the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, found in the Old Testament and the New Testament. I concluded by stating that the Old Testament is the story of God’s promise, while the New Testament is the fulfillment of God’s promise—but the central message of both the Old and New Testaments is the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Today, we will conclude by examining the subtopic: **How Should Scripture Impact Our Lives?**

We have seen that the Word of God is the foundation and basis of our personal relationship with Him. Therefore, it is imperative that we pay close attention to the Scriptures in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

When we read Scripture, it is God speaking directly to us. We cannot separate God from His Word. When we diligently study the Bible, it shines its light into our souls, revealing areas where we may be falling short.

For this reason, we cannot approach the Bible like any other book. We cannot read it merely with our intellect or human understanding. We must engage with it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who inspired its writing. We must ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, listen for His revelation, and allow Him to speak to us personally through His Word. This is why the same Scripture can speak differently to different people at different times.

To receive true understanding, we must read the Bible with focus and a quiet spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate its meaning for us.

**Understanding Scripture in Context**
It is crucial that we read the Bible within its historical and cultural context. Some passages were written for a specific audience at a specific time. Many portions of the Old Testament, for example, are meant to help us understand our relationship with God under the New Covenant—not to be applied literally today. Unfortunately, many Christians misunderstand this.

For instance:
– Under the Old Covenant, people sacrificed animals to atone for sins. But now, Jesus has made the perfect and final sacrifice. We no longer need animal sacrifices.
– Under the Old Covenant, only priests could enter God’s presence, and only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. But the New Testament declares that we are all priests and kings, called to approach God with boldness. In fact, Scripture says we are now the Temple of God—He dwells in us!

Yet, some still practice animal sacrifices today. Some Christians remain in bondage, striving to keep the Law of Moses even though we live under the New Covenant. Others impose unnecessary rules on themselves, going beyond what God requires.

To walk intimately with God under the New Covenant, we must study and meditate on Scripture in its proper context. We must seek the Holy Spirit’s revelation to understand how God’s Word applies to us today. Only then can we experience the fullness of freedom, grace, and truth that Christ has secured for us.

May the Holy Spirit open our hearts to receive His Word with wisdom and discernment. Amen.