If the Bible is not essentially an instruction manual for practical application, then, what is it? If it's not mainly about what we need to do, what is it about? If it's not about us, who is it about? The Bible Is about Jesus In 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 Paul is recalling the giving of the tablets of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. As Moses would go up and commune with God, the glory of the Most High was so intense that it would continue to radiate off his face when he came down. The radiant glory was so intense that Moses covered his face with a veil to shield the children of israel from the intensity. But as stark and intense and awe-inspiring as that glory was, Paul says, it is eclipsed by the ministry of the Spirit, the ministry of righteousness, the ministry of the gospel of Jesus.

In biblical times, you read about murders, anger issues, stealing, adultery, wars, love, devotion, flooding, diseases, and healing. We see those same things today. And the list goes on. As I have established, the Bible provides the basis and framework and the Holy Spirit the filling/body. What is our role in all of this? In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul tells us that all the biblical promises "find their Yes in him." The book of Hebrews is a great sustained example of this truth, showing us how all that led up to Christ was preaching Christ from the shadows, as it were, even reminding us that the mighty acts of the great heroes of the Old Testament were not about themselves but about acting "by faith" in the promise of the Christ to come. True, we may not see words in the Bible like the internet, social media, or popular community causes and organizations. But we see many similarities like emotional feelings, directions on how to worship, lead your family, serving, praying, and so much more.As an adult, I may have been gifted a Bible or two, therefore growing up Christian, I was always in arms reach of the Good Book. In my own efforts to know God and understand my walk, I invested in a study Bible some years ago.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians chapter 5 verse 22 – 23). It is important to note that the reference is ‘fruit’ and not ‘fruits’, so though we can count nine attributes listed, as Christians, we should strive to have them all.The good news of the gospel is so much better than the instructions! It is better because the news actually saves us. The gospel is the ministry of righteousness because it announces not just the blank slate of sins wiped out but the full credit of Christ's perfect obedience credited to us! The Power of Salvation

The Bible is alive and active, as Scripture states above. You will find answers to many questions, and now more than ever, we need the truth to guide us through the weeks and months to come. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans chapter 8 verse 26). I am always intrigued by some of the conversations that take place as you move an inch at a time toward the food. You find yourself talking to people in front of you and behind you. Sometimes, random people will visit everyone standing in line. According to the Bible, only the gospel is the power for salvation (Rom. 1:16). We must stop treating the gospel as though it were power enough for a conversion experience but falls short of empowering all the practical matters of faith that come after.

I still have questions:

We laughed and continued through the buffet line at church. Who can pass up all the side dishes those sweet little ladies brought from home? The last scoop of mashed potatoes didn’t make my plate that night.

The lines always seemed to move slow. After all, one must eye every dish and determine it’s tastiness. And of course, you have to decide whether that pot of greens beans looks better than the other two pots of green beans sitting there. One has floating pork bits; the other does not. If the Bible is our Basic instructions before leaving earth, providing a framework/foundation for daily living, what serves as the filling/body of that basic framework/foundation? In biblical times, many people chose to worship false gods of their own making. We see the same thing today.

As we look out at the world and into our churches, we think we know what will fix everything. We'll just tell them to get their act together. Thus all the instructions.