Da BibleWhy do we believe that the Bible is important? Why is it out 'Holy Book'?Because it's really old? Because it was chosen by a church council at some point? Because it says 'Holy' on the front?Some of these reasons might be important, but the ultimate reason why we rely on the Bible is because we know that God speaks through it.Hebrews 4:12If we are Christians, we have all been in that place where the message, the story of the Bible has made contact with something deep inside us. When we heard about Jesus, we saw ourselves in a new light and we knew that God was speaking to us.Changed LifeHow did we know that God was speaking to us? Because he revealed the truth about ourselves: that what we were living for, our goals in life, were meaningless without him. And because he changed us. We went from having selfish hopes, defined by the identity which the world gave
us, and exchanged them for God's forgiveness and promise in our lives.John 5:24When we were helpless to help ourselves, God rescued us! The change in our lives was total and fundamental! When we trusted God, we became new people! A new beginning! From death to life!"...at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God."We can see that the psalmist here has gone through an experience that we can relate to. His position seemed absolutely hopeless – there was ...
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us, and exchanged them for God's forgiveness and promise in our lives.John 5:24When we were helpless to help ourselves, God rescued us! The change in our lives was total and fundamental! When we trusted God, we became new people! A new beginning! From death to life!"...at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God."We can see that the psalmist here has gone through an experience that we can relate to. His position seemed absolutely hopeless – there was no escape. But God, in his grace, saved this man's life, just as he's saved us! Whoop! Praise God!There is, however, a danger.No More?Below is one of the most iconic pieces of comic book art in existence and was used in the recent Spider-Man II film.In this story (called Spider-Man No More), after going through a difficult period, Peter Parker decides that being Spider-Man is no longer worth the trouble. He dumps his suit in a bin and walks away.Both readers of the comic and viewers of the film instinctively know this is wrong. When he was bitten by a radioactive spider Peter Parker's life was changed forever. Spider-Man is who he is, he can't just walk away from it.And sure enough, as the plot develops, Peter Parker realises that he can't just walk away from the new powers and responsibilities that the transformation of his life bought upon him. To do that would be to lie to himself about who he was.This is a bit like being a Christian.Walking AwayWe read earlier about a man who, like us, had been dramatically saved by God.Jonah 2:6This amazing event prompts him to change his attitude. He resolves to live a new life before God!Jonah 2:7-9Like us, this guy will live a new life totally sold on God!However...Does anyone know what happened to this man next?Jonah 3:10-4:4Just like Peter Parker in the story, Jonah walks away from his new life and the result is not pretty. He said he'd remember God's grace towards him, but he has obviously forgotten, otherwise how could he be so prideful? How could he want to withhold God's blessing from others?As a consequence of his bad attitude, Jonah is alone and sad, when God is pouring blessings on his life. He is living out of sync with the new life that God has given him – no wonder it doesn't work!!As Christians, we need to constantly remember how gracious God has been to us and how absolutely amazing the work he's done in our lives is! Think back to your own experience. Can you remember how God changed you from someone who's identity was wrapped up in the world to someone who was set free in the Spirit to live the life God intended for you?Remember Your OriginIn Batman comics, Batman always, always, somewhere in the script, remembers why it is he is Batman. He recounts the story of how he swore to fight crime to save others from the suffering that he had experienced. It sometimes seems tedious to hear the same story repeated over and over again, but if Batman forgot why he was Batman, he'd just become this ridiculous looking dude in a pointy hat. He'd be like a man who looked in the mirror and them immediately for got what he looked like. He'd find himself in a situation just as ridiculous as Jonah's.A Christians, we NEED to remember why we are Christians, or we could find ourselves throwing our faith in the bin because we feel like it doesn't fit us any more.But, if we can remember that we have been bought from death to life, then we can live like it.If we can remember that God so loved the world that he sent his only son for us, then when we see God take hold of our city, we won't be left behind like Jonah, but we will step into God's promise for our lives!“That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” That frame from 'Spider-Man No More'. Exclusive shot from the set of 'The Dark Knight'.
