A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – August 28, 2020
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
One of the things that has helped my wife and I over the years is to read the Word backwards. What do I mean by that? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! He is our example. He is our savior. He is the Son of God. None of the apostles qualify for that position. Peter and Paul were constantly arguing and disagreeing with each other. They both had strong personalities and Peter was trying to drag the believers backwards into Judaism and legalism while Paul was concentrated on grace.
Am I saying we cannot learn from Peter and Paul? Absolutely not, but we need to recognize that Jesus trumps both Peter and Paul. He trumps all the apostles and all the prophets.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:13-15)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: (Hebrews 1:3)
Jesus is the exact image of the invisible God. He is the express image of the Father. A great many of the Old Testament figures were still trying to figure out who God was and what was His thoughts towards us. Also, the Old Testament was just that, it was old. The New Testament was based on a totally different set of rules. We are talking about the law versus grace. If you read the Old Testament first it is easy to get the law and grace mixed up. Jesus fulfilled the law. He was full of grace and mercy.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 4:44)
As you read the Word backwards, I want you to pay special attention on how Jesus dealt with issues that we constantly debate such as (the woman issue, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, supernatural healing, casting out demons, religion versus relationship, etc.) All these issues (and more) were dealt with by Jesus. Pay close attention to how our savior dealt with these subjects. It is absolutely amazing to me how educated men and women can come to the conclusions that they come to about some of these issues. If they would read the Word backwards, it is possible they would change their minds about what they have been taught in seminary. Many already have!!!
