What is the "big picture" or point of scripture, or what is the whole of scripture trying to tell...

Robert76 said:

Not easy to boil it down to just a few sentences, but I like how 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 sums it up:

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"

Click to expand...

Hi Robert,

Pleased to meet you and share. I like what you said, however had you considered that `salvation` is but the means to an end, God`s purposes through Christ. If it all revolves around us then we can get a warped picture. When we put God`s purposes through Christ as our focus then the other parts come into right perspective.

just a thought, Marilyn.

Marilyn C said:

Hi Robert,

Pleased to meet you and share. I like what you said, however had you considered that `salvation` is but the means to an end, God`s purposes through Christ. If it all revolves around us then we can get a warped picture. When we put God`s purposes through Christ as our focus then the other parts come into right perspective.

just a thought, Marilyn.

Click to expand...

I completely agree. I always liked the quip that history is really His story and each of our lives is the story of God lived out in each of the lives of His children. Great callout @Marilyn C

Robert76 said:

I completely agree. I always liked the quip that history is really His story and each of our lives is the story of God lived out in each of the lives of His children. Great callout @Marilyn C

Click to expand...

Karl Barth was once asked to summarize all of his theology, and he responded, "Jesus loves me, this I know / for the Bible tells me so".

Halbhh said:

Man is not "like a child" the way we should be.

Not without transformation.

We must be like a child in this way --

15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

It's not just that children already are right for heaven, but even more --

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

We cannot even enter the Kingdom at all unless we change and become like a child!

Praise God!

I really like your emphasis on love in your answer.

Click to expand...

I totally agree! Thanks for clarifying my above message for others, and adding much more detail - sometimes we forget to include one point or another (At least I know I do, haha)... but then God swoops in with a fellow brother or sister and rectifies things Cheers!

Neogaia777 said:

What is the "big picture" or point of scripture, or what is the whole of scripture trying to tell us...?

What simple message is the whole of it trying to convey...?

Comments...?

God Bless!

Click to expand...

You know.. for me OK? Its alive.. He said it.. I believe it period. Now.. that being said. I read Jesus say.. if you believed Moshe (Moses) you would believe me for He talked about me. Then thought out my life I hear others talk about from GEN to Matt.. it was ALL about Christ. Seems.. there is SO MUCH more to HIS word.. I get to find! YES! You said "big picture" and the 1st thing that came to me was "Christ".. classic answer maybe.. but its true..yes?

Neogaia777 said:

What is the "big picture" or point of scripture, or what is the whole of scripture trying to tell us...?

What simple message is the whole of it trying to convey...?

Comments...?

God Bless!

Click to expand...

The whole thing boils down to this:

John 13:34
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. This fulfills the law and the prophets.

And I must say that after studying hundreds of religions, this happens to be the core message of them as well. Even Satanism claims the message to "do no harm". I am NOT saying all religions lead to God here.
If you check out the Tao Te Ching with an open mind, you should see that this "tao" is not a book or a thing....it is the very nature of God and most of it fits the nature and character of Jesus as seen in the sermon on the mount like a glove.
In fact, this was written 600 years before Christ and he basically quotes it, only using slightly different language.
The problem comes when peoples hearts are not bent towards love of God and others.
Then you have man made teachings taking presidence over the simple gospel message. Most people think that the standard Jesus portrayed in the sermon on the mount is not attainable, so they ignore it for the most part and cling to verses that make them think they walk with God when in reality they only do so part time. Jesus told us to be perfect and we can be perfect if we live according to His law of love towards all....and that includes those with opposing views.
But if we hold on to our desires and always bolster our egos, we will always end up falling flat on our faces.