A small boy informs his Dad that he knows what the Bible means.  A surprised Dad invites the answer and is given the following explanation:  The Bible is our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  I personally think that young lad was on to something there.  Many theologians have come up with less satisfactory answers.

One year my family and I (which includes my wife and two daughters) traveled from Key West, Florida to the farthest point North in Alaska that it was possible to drive within the United States at that time.  Such journeys require a good bit of research.  Maps are to be consulted; books and brochures are to be studied in preparation of such extensive travels.  Even ferry schedules and rules and regulations are to be familiarized.

I recall one year, as I parked in a line of vehicles awaiting loading onto a ferry coming down the Alaska Inside Passage, inspection officers were coming to each vehicle that might have camping gear (we were in a camper) and collecting any liquid fuels that were not in the automobile’s fuel tank.  I responded to the officer that I did not have any such fuel.  He asked me why not; all other campers had containers of fuel.  I responded that I had studied the information sent out by the state and was aware that I could not bring such liquids aboard the ferry.  He told me that the same information goes out to all people who make inquiries and he found it a bit different that one person has complied with it.  The people simply fail to follow the instructions given out to them.

Going further back in time, in the autumn of 1963 I was employed as a police officer of my home town of Jacksonville, Florida.  I was working the 3 PM to 11 PM shift.   My captain called me into his office to ask me if I would like to take some vacation time in the near future.  I had given absolutely no thought to the fact that I was already eligible to take some time off.  I responded to him,   “Well, Captain, I can hardly be ready to get out of town before about 8 o’clock in the morning.”   He then put me on leave beginning the next day.  It was after dark for the day already.  I immediately called my wife and instructed her to, “…get ready.  We’re going on a trip in the morning.”  She asked, “Where are we going?”  I responded with, “Oh, I don’t know yet.  You just get ready to travel for a few weeks and I’ll figure that out later."  I think on that trip we wound up seeing the Rocky Mountains and Grand Canyon, among several other points of interest. 

I was astounded beyond known terms of expression as I looked into the Grand Canyon for my first time.  At several points I could just see the river flowing along the bottom of that mile deep gorge and I thought to myself that, “…someday, I’ve got to get down to that river.”  I had no idea of how much time I would spend hiking around inside that canyon over a period of about 25 or so years in which I became quite familiar with good portions of it.  All this took preparation.  There was study of information to be done, maps to be studied and put into use.  I inquired of other people who had gone into some of the wilderness areas I wanted to venture into.  It’s among those who fail to prepare that go into a place like that and become  statistics.  Lots of training and conditioning for the extremes of the desert environment are in order for success.

We are on a life journey.  You and I are going in one way or another.  We have an instruction book and a map to aid us along the journey.  When we’re off course we can come to this resource and find our way back.  We can know how to conduct our life’s journey.  We need to know and we can know.  If we fail to consult the Bible, which is our instruction book, the end result will be tragic at the day of judgment.  God inspired these instructions, this map (if you will) to be written and preserved for us so that we can become prepared for the journey.  If we will carefully search out what is in the instruction book, the Bible, the map for our life’s journey we can become  prepared to meet our God on that final day.  Please come join me on that journey. 

Lets take a look at this road map of life:

John 1:1-5  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.   

This is the beginning.  This is where we start from.  Every journey has a starting point.  If we take a vacation travel we usually will start from our home.  This the New Covenant version of the beginning. 

Verses 9-17  That was the true light, which lights every man that comes into the world.  He was in the world , and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me.  And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

That Light is the light because He shows us the way.  The world is going the wrong way because it knows Him not.  Therefore, it does not see the way He gives us.  The Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and His life was witnessed by John and others around Him.  At times some of us became distracted by the old covenant, but Jesus came and in His fullness we have all received grace.  The Law showed the Nation of Israel the way to walk, the way to live, how to conduct their lives.  Jesus Christ replaced that and shows us how all the world can walk in His light and go His way of life.  We can consider His life to be an example that we use in our daily living.  His life and His words and the words He inspired to be written and preserved for us will stand us quite well at the end of all things when we face the judgment.  To ignore them is to invite certain disaster at that final hour. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

This is very basic but it also is love far beyond known terms of appraisement.  So, the Bible gives it to us in such simple terms that all can understand it.  However, its implications are tremendous.  If we accept that love, if we accept what He offers, we can continue into times without end.  However, if we don’t get into the book, study it and learn to live the way it points out, use it as our life journey's map, or book of instructions we’re heading toward big troubles.  I find it very sad that most people go about with no interest in God or His Word. 

Acts 2:37-43  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do.  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive  the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord shall call.  And with many other words (Notice: many other words of instructions) did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

The listeners now have something to go on, a direction to travel, specific changes in their lives.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

They started their journey in a different direction.  Life’s journey will now be toward a better goal. 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

I would certainly say this is a different conduct than they formerly carried on.  This is a complete change of  route for their lives; in the directions they were going in.  The map, or instructions given them has encouraged them to make major changes in direction.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

This call to repentance, this new map of life, this new set of instructions changed the lives of those who accepted and applied it to themselves and will continue to do the same for us today.    

Acts 3:14-15   But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted (set free) unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.  V.17  And now, brethren, I wot [know] that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers.  

Wow!!!!  Were they ever going the wrong way in life!!!!  V.17 shows us they were lost and didn’t know it and some serious reconsiderations were well within order.  The New Testament (New Covenant) books had not yet been written but they are getting the instructions directly from one of the apostles God would later use to write portions of them.  

V.19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord…

This gets right down to being specific about what they must do.  Their eternity depends upon their taking the path they are being instructed on here.  They can rely on this to keep them from continuing along the wrong way of life.  The great opportunity is given for them to aim for the heavenly prize.  The same applies to us today.  Either we have come to repentance before God and His Christ, which changes our direction, or we seriously need to.  Our eternal destiny depends on it.  Of course, it is first the Grace of God that gives us the opportunity to make such changes in our lives.  Then we must accept it to avoid eternal separation from God. 

I sometimes recall that during some of my military training we were broken down into small groups, with a sergeant leading each one.  We were given instructions for traversing through the forest at night without the aid of enough light to illuminate our way.  We had a black-out flashlight, a compass, a set of instructions and were expected to come out to a certain point sometime during the night.  Without that compass; without that set of instructions we would have become hopelessly lost in that southern forest that night (and some did anyway; they didn’t make it easy for us).  I was fortunate enough to be able to very closely hold to the course I was given for the squad I was leading and I think mine was the first to exit the forest after making all the points required during the mission.  We were being trained to navigate enemy territory under conditions of war.  I just happened to be blessed with a knack for getting around very well under such training conditions and our commanding officer needed to know who had it.  Fortunately, such skills were never tested under combat.  However, our personal spiritual lives are tried under spiritual warfare and we need to rely on God’s Word, the Bible, to aid us on our way.  It is our compass, our map, our instructions for life if you will accept it as such.  

II Tim. 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Paul here gives an example of having difficult times as a Christian.  So will we at times.  Jesus said that ‘narrow and strait is the way that leads to life, and few find it’.  However, God’s word is still abundant.  

V.10-12  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:   

See, we well understand the Scriptures, in the writings of Paul, that we are dead to the Law through the body of Christ:

Rom. 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Gal. 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me...

So we are now living with Him and shall be with and live with Him throughout Eternity.  Paul is addressing Timothy, a minister to the Christian community in which he resided.  If we are not on the road with Jesus Christ, not dead with Him, we are not going to be living with Him in heaven.  We are being shown the way.  We need to consult the "book of instructions" that will direct us in the way we should walk.  To fail to do so is to invite tragedy on the final day of Judgment.  I hope none of us come to that event unprepared.  That would really ruin our eternity.  

I Thes. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.

This verse is a rather clear piece of instruction for Christian living and doesn’t need comment other than to point it out as the way to peace among the Christian community.  Too often we don’t see this.  I have visited churches in which I knew none of the people and undercurrents of resentments among them were evident.  They need to correct such problems.  

V.12-13    And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And  be at peace among yourselves. 

This establishes your relationship with those God has provided to labour among you, teaching you the word of the Lord, the instruction book for life.  On the leaders’ part this is to be a service of love toward the members, not a position that allows them to abuse any authority they might have.  This is a common problem in some churches and God wants it stopped.  (This is a problem I will speak on at another time).  However, our part is to respect the teachers and preachers who are really doing the work of God and serving the people in love.  If they cannot do this, they lose the respect of the people and this has been a sad story that has been,  and is being, repeated far too much.  I am well aware that some of you have suffered the spiritual abuses of recent pastors.  I see the heads nodding in the affirmative.  Such mistreatment of Christian members is a spiritual crime that will hang over them at the final judgment unless they repent and get it expunged from their records of sins.   However, there are some who serve in love, not wishing for power over others.  I pray for God to send you one that will lead you in Truth and in the proper Christian love and respect.  Respect is a two way avenue.  

V.14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.   

This verse shows there might sometimes be causes of unruliness in the church that must be dealt with, first by warning.  It also goes on to show that others need to be comforted and/or supported.  

V.15  See that none render evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.   

The more we look at the word the more instruction we see.  What peace there would be if all people followed the way given in this verse.  

V.16-23  Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  Quench not the Spirit.  Despise not prophesyings .  Prove all things; hold fast  that which is good.  Abstain from all appearance of evil.  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming our Lord Jesus Christ.   

That’s a lot of instruction for your life and my life in those verses and nothing needs to be added.  If we go this way; follow this path of righteousness as instructed we cannot go wrong.  We will be well oriented and headed in the right direction.  

Titus 2:7-8 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

This is a good example of showing us we are to show ourselves a pattern of good works.  In fact, the remainder of the chapter is a masterpiece of instruction of a Christian way of life given by Paul to Titus and thus to us.  In Ch. 3:7 we see we are justified by grace, not by the good works of the Christian way.  Jesus said, 

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:6).  

No, these works don’t save us.  The Bible is so clear on this throughout the New Testament (New Covenant).  However, He instructs us to let that light shine.

Eph. 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This verse makes it very clear we are saved by grace through faith.  Even the faith is not of ourselves.  It is the gift of God.  V.10 shows we are ordained unto good works, but this does not mean in any way that the requirements of the Law under the old covenant are a part of this. 

There were times when I would be deep into wilderness areas of the Grand Canyon, usually where few, if any others had been. I had topographic maps made from photographs of high altitude aircraft. The Park Service one time showed me some photos they don’t often show of the Colorado River and the canyon from fifty thousand feet altitude. On some of these remote treks of mine I would be out under backpack for up to three weeks at a time. I could, and did, get into some critical situations in dealing with the desert environment. The river is inaccessible except in rare places. I needed to know where I was at all times because being lost under those conditions is usually a fatal matter. The rangers had informed me that if I did not report out on the day I was due out that the next day they would run one helicopter search over my route and if I was not seen I would be presumed lost. I would never do this alone and I always did my best to make my partner aware of the risk we were taking before we traveled out there from Florida and I made sure he would again get that awareness from the Park Service Rangers, especially in the Backcountry Office.

Topographic maps have a magnetic north indicator on them. In that area magnetic north was 15 degrees east of true north. That is the exact direction the compass needle will point toward. At one inch intervals I drew in lines running at that 15 degrees east from the bottom to the top of my maps. When I decided to orient myself, or check my exact position, I would seek a flat enough surface to lay the map out flat and with my compass align the magnetic north lines with the compass needle. That put the map in alignment with magnetic north. Then, I would select several topographic features (peaks, cliff abutments, edges of buttes, etc) and take careful compass readings on them. I would then bring a line from the features back into my direction (I could always know my direction because I had oriented the map) and where these lines came together would be my location. I became very skilled at this. I was in one place where I needed to drop down a 550 ft. cliff and there was a way down it, but the way could not be seen unless you were right on top of it. I would locate my position by orientation and find I was maybe 80 yards short of where I needed to be. I advanced about 100 yards, located myself again by the method given and found I had overshot where I needed to be by only a few yards. When I was right on top of it, I could see the crumbling remains of an old trail that had been left off recent maps because it was considered too dangerous for public use. There was another time I thought I was in one side canyon, but when I did a location I found I was actually in another side canyon. The terrain is so complex that becoming lost is a constant danger. I became a very proficient land navigator by these methods and I know I could do the same by stars if I needed to. I also knew the geology of the area well enough to know which types of rock layers might be more apt to contain potholes of water and I could easily identify all of them. Water was always a tenuous matter.

During World War II there were many massive bombing raids by both sides. The British carried out night raids and the Americans carried daytime raids. These raids could be made up of nearly 1,000 bombers. Every plane had a navigator aboard. All them could navigate. But, there was a very small group of navigators who had a knack for accuracy that could not be matched by the larger numbers of them. The commanders would know who the best navigators were and they would be assigned to the lead planes in the bomber groups. Their greater capabilities at navigation were critical and very much needed for the greater success of the raids. Many groups of planes could be on any large raid.

In my backpacking activities I needed to know how to get around and keep track of where I was. My life depended to a great extent on this and I had some responsibility for the partner who could not possibly have any idea of what he was getting himself into even though I tried to prepare him. I was in serious need of knowing where I was in relation to where I might get the next possible water source. Death by dehydration was a very real possibility. Heat was also a problem, considering I took a reading one day of 125 degrees, shaded by a rock. In my spiritual walk it is even of much greater importance that I understand where I am in relation to where I am headed. I need to know I am headed in the right direction. I need to navigate my course not only for myself but in aid to any other poor soul I might have some affect on. I must be on course, drinking in of the Spirit, being instructed or oriented by God’s word, the Bible. I cannot take this spiritual walk without His aid and neither can you.

Matt. 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This verse tells us of two ways we can walk.  One gate leads to life while the other leads to destruction.  Jesus tells us the strait and narrow gate, which few find is the one we should take.  This is as clear a map and orientation as any I know of.  This navigation will hold up to eternity.

Jn. 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus tells us He is the light of the world.  He tells us if we follow Him we will not walk in darkness.  This is a well oriented spiritual map here.  You cannot go wrong following Him.  There is no shortage of instruction in this book.  

Ps. 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

This gives us the means to very clearly map out our path and walk in the right way.  No need to go wrong.  No excuse for not knowing how we should conduct our Christian lives.  

What if we decide not to follow the book of instructions we are given? I find it very sad that so many will not make the decision to follow God's road map of righteousness and will come before Him at the Judgment and their whole eternity will be ruined. 

In contrast, where does the pathway take us if we follow after Him?

II Tim. 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

And finally: 

II Tim. 2:15  Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.   

You do this and you will amply have the sufficient map and instructions for life.  

By Frank Edward Nipper (former WCG member)   
 

 

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