God, His Word, And Relationships

October 2019 – Grace & Truth Magazine

God, His Word And Relationships

One uniqueness of Scripture is that it applies to my environment just as much as it applies to you in your surroundings. Our settings may be different and the people with whom we have contact are not exactly alike, but God and His Word do not change based on any criteria. What He has given pertains to you just as it pertains to me. There is nothing that matches the value and importance of the Bible. Its 66 books stand alone as God's revealed truth.

We see groups attacking the principles of Scripture. Sadly, this even includes so-called Christian churches and organizations. Has the Word of God changed? Have the Bible and, by inference, God Himself become out-of-date? No! He "is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8 NKJV).

Likewise, the problems of man and his sin have not changed over the years. From Adam's fall in the garden, recorded in Genesis 3, until the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20, man in his disobedience has sought and will seek to satisfy his desires apart from God.

As it has been and will be for all time, there is only one way for man to be in a relationship with God: by faith alone! Failure to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ � to realize one's sinful state and trust Him for salvation through His finished work at Calvary � will result in an eternity in the lake of fire.

With this in mind, what concern should you and I have for unsaved individuals around us, whether in our families, schools, workplaces or neighborhoods? Should we have relationships with unbelievers? Are there things not to do in connection with those who are unsaved? Articles in this magazine are helpful in answering these questions.

In closing, note that we are not to keep company with believers who are living in sin, such as one who is sexually immoral, covetous, an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard or extortioner. We are told "not even to eat with such a person" (see 1 Cor. 5:9-11). However, the subject of our Feature articles in this issue is restricted to relationships between believers and unbelievers.

May God bless His Word to your heart and mind.

By Paul Alberts