don't offer people a system

In the last post, I said how good the Bible is in helping us in every situation - learning how to live, speak, think etc. But another thing need to be noted.

In Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, Paul Tripp says, "We forget that the only hope the principles offer rests on the Person, Jesus Christ. And we forget that the Bible is not an encyclopedia, but a story of God's plan to rescue hopeless and helpless humanity. It's a story about people who are rescued from their own self-sufficiency and wisdom and transported to a kingdom where Jesus is central and true hope is alive. We cannot treat the Bible as a collection of therapeutic insights. To do so distorts its message and will not lead to lasting change. If a system could give us what we need, Jesus would never have come. But he came because what was wrong with us could not be fixed any other way. He is the only answer, so we must never offer a message that is less than the good news. We don't offer people a system; we point them to a Redeemer. He is hope."

So the gospel and redemption come first before we even bother trying to live a pure life.

"By keeping it according to Your word"

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

You word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

-Psalm 119:9-11

This morning, verse 9 stood out to me as my sins become more evident. How do I live purely? How do I love purely? How do I think purely? How do I speak purely?

By keeping my way according to God's Word.

I sometimes try hard to "fix" my problems just by doing what I think is logical or just by how I feel, but the true way is God's way found in His Word. And in verse 11 and just the whole Ps 119, the psalmist delights, treasures, clings to the Word. But I don't when I forget the power of it and that it is from my God.

So how do I love purely? what does the Word say about love? 1 Cor 13, 1 John 4:10

How do I think purely? what does the Word say about how we should use our minds? Phil 2:3, Col 2:3

How do I speak purely? what does the Word say about my speech? 1 Peter 4:11, Eph 4:29

How do I live purely? ... by keeping it according to Your word