September 14

Ecclesiastes 3:9-6:12
Psalm 107:23-32
Proverbs 22:17-19
2 Corinthians 1:1-22

The Irreducible Minimum
For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him.
—2 Corinthians 1:20

It is time to face some very personal and pointed questions. Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God, divinely and uniquely inspired and reliable in all it affirms? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, and the only way to God? Do you believe that He was crucified for your sins, raised again on the third day, and is now sitting on the right hand of God?

I could go on raising more questions, but the ones I have mentioned are what I consider to be the irreducible minimum of Christianity. In other words, these are the basic truths of the gospel, and if you don’t take your stand on these truths, then you cannot call yourself a Christian.

This is what is meant by having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace—that you are ready to stand for the authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ, His substitutionary death, His resurrection from the dead, and His return to earth in power and glory.

Do you know where you stand on these matters? Are you sure of your spiritual position? How can you fight the enemy if you do not know what you believe? As I write, some of the daily newspapers here in Britain are calling on church leaders to give a spiritual lead. But many of our leaders do not have a high view of Scripture. How can they give a lead when they don’t know where they are going? They don’t know where they stand, and no one else knows either.

Prayer
O Father, Your Word promises to be a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. Bring those whose feet are slipping and sliding in the faith back to an unshakable confidence in Your gospel. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.

Further Study
2Pt 1; Col 2:7; 1Co 3:11
Why are we given so many great and precious promises?
What should our foundation be?

Every Day with Jesus Daily Bible – September 14