Quarantining has been good for Christianity. Frustrating, but good. It has halted the status quo and called us to analyze how and why we do things.

1 My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart…3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

The problem with the way we used to do things is that we depended upon others for our spiritual food. Whether it was Bible reading (led by a pastor), worship (led by a worship leader), Bible study (led by a teacher), prayer (organized, perfunctory, as at the beginning or end of a meeting), or works (things we do at church), it was all provided for us. Granted, ministers are given to the body of Christ to “equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:12. But, the goal of ministers needs to be to equip each Christian to study and grow independently. Each of us is to have sole dependency on Christ. It highlights once again the truth in Sole Scriptura, the sole sufficiency of the Scriptures. All we need is a Bible and we are good to go! The Scriptures, through the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit, give us everything we need to be successful and faithful followers of Christ.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the [every] servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

If we want to hear from God, we must learn to speak His language, which is Scripture. He will NEVER go outside the bounds of what He has revealed in His Word. If we know His Word, then we know where those boundaries are and cannot be misled or deceived. We also will know His heart, His Plan, and His promises. My favorite promise comes from Jesus’ prayer in John 17:24,

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

There are several things we can learn from this statement:

1. Jesus Christ is God’s Son.
2. We will be with Him in heaven!
3. We will experience His glory!
4. Jesus Christ is eternal; He was not created, but has existed with God from before creation.

From this verse, I extrapolate this worldview:

Jesus Christ is sovereign and is worth serving.
He loves me and wants me to be with Him;
He is with me right now,
and I will go to be with Him when He calls.
There, with Him, I will experience His full glory forever!

Everything in my life is based upon this worldview. My life, my worldly goods, my position, even my family and friends must take a backseat to this worldview. Either Jesus is Sovereign and has my best interests at heart for everything, or I am completely wrong and a fool.

How about you? Do you have a verse/passage on which you “hang your hat?” On what is your worldview based? I would love to hear. In the meantime, continue on as good soldiers for Christ as we continue to live our lives in Christ, “who loves us and gave Himself for us.”

Abba, You are above all things. Your Plan is all-inclusive. We need not worry about anything, whether food or drink, clothes, money, health, time, productivity–anything! The phrase, “Am I making a difference,” is erroneous because it places the emphasis on us. What we should be asking is, “Lord, may we come to know You so intimately that we trust You in EVERY circumstance. You will bring glory to Your name, of that we have no doubt.” Give us faith, O LORD. May we be ready on the day of testing. Amen.