reply to post by Taupin Desciple
Religion has been, through history, mankind's attempt to recognize and understand God. Often it has also been used to try to make God manageable.
When you're dealing with the infinite, it can become a little disconcerting.
I do believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and that it is accurate. In that, several things are spoken of. Even those who do not know
Christ or who God really is via religion are shown Him through His creation. We can see this to be true in every culture through the planet -- there
is a God, there are spirits, there is something greater than us that we cannot fully understand.
The book of Job, as an example, is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible, and took place before Moses and the Exodus. Paul writes that God made
the Law (of which the Ten Commandments are a part) not that we can live up to it, but that we can see our depravity and distance from God. Also that
we might see we need a savior. Though Christ had not yet lived in our perception, David recognized this in Second Samuel when the prophet Nathan
pointed out what he had done with Bathsheba. God disciplined David, but forgave him as well. David saw his depravity and asked for the only thing that
could reconcile it -- Grace.
Yes, Christ is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. For God, though, who exists outside of time, the
crucifixion is taking place at all times -- the price was paid from the beginning, though, to us, it is a specific point in history. This is how, when
David cried out for mercy, God granted it without sacrifices. He is completely just, but He is also merciful. This is demonstrated, too, through the
prophet Elijah as well as Enoch. Both were taken up to Heaven without dying. How could this be if it were not for Christ's sacrifice? We know very
little about Enoch, but much about Elijah. He was a man like us. He sinned. He lost faith on several occasions. He was redeemed to the point that God
took him directly up without death.
As so many today will say, some without realizing what it means, it's about a relationship with God, not rules and regulations. So even those first
folks who, in a culture that had moved away from God, looked at a tree and knew there was something greater and started to seek God found Him. His
word says if we seek Him we will find Him. Abraham experienced this and became a friend of God's. Job must have, as well as those who were with him.
Noah, too, sought the Lord.
I can't say I understand how, exactly, it works before that moment in history took place. I do know, though, that the Bible provides examples and
explanations in both the Old and New Testaments that it does work, though.
Now, though, He has made it easier, revealed, how we can come to Him. So as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!