There is so much to think about as we read through the Bible. Keeping track of who is speaking, who they are speaking to, and what they are speaking about are the top three. But there are still other things to keep in mind and even ask yourself as you read the scripture. Like does this scripture describe me and the way I have been living my life? It’s important to know what passages of scripture describe you because they often show where you are on your walk with God. Or if you have even started on that walk.
Often in the New Testament, we see two groups described. Those who are saved and living a life for God. As well as those who are lost and living in sin and will not receive salvation. Of course, those groups can be broken down into many subgroups but the Bible tends to stay in the realm of these two major groups. As we read a passage that describes one of the groups it’s important that we slow down and really compare the verse to our lives. Doing so will show us which group we fall in to. As well as give us the opportunity to make changes if necessary.
Philippians 3:18–19 (ESV)
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV)
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV)
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Those are just a small selection of verses that describe the lost. When we read these passages and the others like them we should see that as born again Christians the words they contain no longer describe us. Recognizing such behavior from our past but seeing that it is no longer a part of our future.
If we find that such passages describe us, for any reason, whether we have slipped or simply never changed. They must act as a wake-up call. Showing us the error of our ways and sending us to our knees in prayer. Repenting for our actions and seeking God’s forgiveness, which He is always willing to pour out.
Instead of seeing ourselves in the passages of scripture that describe the lost, it should be the verses like these below, which describe the saved, that we align best with. Those that speak of God’s people, the love they possess, their nature that is different than the world’s, and the attributes of God they exhibit.
Ephesians 5:1–5 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (ESV)
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
1 John 2:3–6 (ESV)
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV)
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Those should be the very passages that describe the members of the church. At any level, they should be the ones you want to describe your life. That you work hard daily to make sure you live up to. So you don’t return to your sinful past. God gave us these passages to act as an example and guide for our lives. Laying out the expectations He has for His people.
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
We are all a work in progress. No Christian is perfect and can be perfectly described by only the verses that describe the saved. Each of us has certain areas we need to grow in. That being said though the health of our walk with God can be seen by which passages describe us better.
If we are better described by those that paint a picture of the lost then we really need to stop and work on things. Because we are don’t we will end up with the very people those passages describe.
If it’s those same verses that describe God’s people that describe us then we are doing good. But that doesn’t give us the opportunity to stop working. It only takes a few miss-steps and wrong decisions for the passages that describe us to change.
So ask yourself what passage best describes you? Are they those that tell of the lost? Or those that speak of God’s people? Then figure out what step you need to take next. Is it time to turn back to God and work to align with the verses that describe God’s people? Or do you simply need to keep on doing what you have been doing and increasing in faith? It’s important that you start asking these questions today before it’s too late to change your answers.
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