Brief Comments on Important Topics
God’s Guidance along Life’s Path
Many believers would say that God’s guidance through life is one of the most practical benefits of Christianity. Life is complex. How do we know the right decisions in life – the right partner, the right job, the right house? For those who trust in Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit guides us at those difficult times in life – we are not alone. If we acknowledge God in our plans, He promises to give us wisdom to know the right thing to do. He opens the right door and closes the wrong one:
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalm 32 verse 8, NLT)
Jesus is Amazing
The Bible paints an amazing picture of Jesus: He was with God before Creation (John 17) and all things were created through Him (Colossians 1); He appeared as a baby at Bethlehem, whilst later accepting the title of God from men (John 20). He then sacrificed Himself for all mankind (John 1), and at His resurrection He ascended above all heavens to be everywhere (Ephesians 4). We can’t usually see Him but He promises to always be among us (Matthew 18). God has given Him all authority (Matthew 28) and He will soon return to earth to govern this world in peace and justice (Isaiah 9). After that He will dwell with saved mankind in the New Earth – for ever (Revelation 21). At this time, the good man-God relationship in Genesis 1 will be restored.
Peace in a World of Chaos
According to the UN, the world has entered “an age of chaos“. In 2025 it was estimated there were over 100-armed conflicts around the world. Europe was encouraged to spend more on weapons to counter perceived war threats from Russia, Iran continued to threaten Israel with extinction, and China was arming to the teeth with new weapons. But prophecy says that one day the nations will no longer learn war. There will be global peace when Christ returns to rule the earth as King (Zechariah 14:9). But what about RIGHT NOW? Can we have peace in all the chaos? Yes. The Bible says:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything . . . Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. (Philippians 4:6-7)
What is Truth?
Sometimes it would be nice to know the absolute truth on a topic – a statement that is always true and non-negotiable, a statement that holds true in all places and at all times. Science can only make tentative claims to absolute truth since different “truths” may emerge later. So, for example, whilst some claim evolution is a fact, in reality it is not absolutely true since it is simply a theory based on tentative scientific evidence.
But absolute truth on major issues is available if we look to a trustworthy source. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and the source of absolute truth (John 14:6). So He was explicit on key issues like heaven and hell, morality, creation, judgement and the need for reconciliation to God. Truth on such matters is revealed by the Holy Spirit as believers read the Bible.
Hidden Spiritual Law
Our lives (and the lives of nations) are governed by spiritual law – hidden rules that originate from God. The basic rule is: “If you do action A then action B will follow”. Jesus gave some examples of bad actions:
(1) Whatever is deliberately hidden – will be revealed; (2) Whoever exalts himself – will be humbled; (3) Live a self-centered life – and you will miss life; (4) Those who curse the nation of Israel – will be cursed.
Jesus also gave examples of good actions: (1) Give – and it will be given back to you in good measure; (2) Have faith – and you can move mountains; (3) Follow Christ – and you will have abundant life; (4) Seek God’s kingdom – and God will supply all your need; (5) Confess our sin – and God will forgive us.
Bible Numbers have Meaning
Numbers in the Bible have deep meaning. For example, God instructed Noah to make the Ark 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high … Taking several cubit sizes, naval studies have shown that theses dimensions were optimal for stability, strength and comfort, and that the Ark could handle 30m waves. So, in major design aspects, Noah’s Ark was as good as modern shipping!
Consider the number 7. This seems to characterise the world around us. For example, circaseptan (7-day) biological rhythms have been detected in simple plant life, and the female fertility cycle has multiples of 7. God completed His creative work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), and we are similarly recommended to rest every seventh day (Exodus 20:10). Why? The science of chronobiology describes body rhythms that run about seven days in length – we “run down”. So this seems a good reason to rest every 7 days! Is this why the 10-day week of the French Revolution, and the ‘continuous work week’ of the Russian Revolution both failed?
Climate Change
The IPCC scientific consensus is that man is changing the climate largely through the burning of fossil fuels. Does the Bible say anything about it? It can be argued that the prophecies in Isaiah chapter 24 have something to say on earth’s climate at the end of this age. Verses 1 and 3 imply climate change will result in mass migration, verse 2 implies no one will be exempt, verse 4 implies severe global drought, verse 6 implies extreme heat, and verse 18 implies torrential rain (as in the Genesis Flood). This aligns with the IPCC viewpoint! But since the prophecy in Isaiah 24 implies severe climate change will happen (despite our attempts to control it), isn’t it time we paid attention to what the Bible says and seek God’s mercy?
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