Truth that changes your day

The most "impractical" doctrines of Scripture I find the most practical in my day. Those that we deem most abstract and abstruse are my delight and my strength.

If you visualize the body of Christian knowledge as a pyramid, with the most heavenly truths occupying the topmost point, and the many detailed instructions and implications cascading off to the sides, I would put the doctrine of "Who is God" first. Scripture's teachings on how to raise children, how to honor a church elder, how to confess a sin, how to confront a brother in sin, how to use a spiritual gift, and how to pray---these are all useful. But none of them is as wonderful in practical terms of affecting my mood at the supermarket as what I believe about God's character.

Several times I have asked a roomful of women to engage in free-association with me and tell me what adjective comes to mind when they think of the word "God." The responses range from "just" and "wrathful" to "satisfying." After that exercise we have challenged ourselves to be aligned with the Scripture's declarations on that, rather than our own half-baked notions. We have talked about taking sides with God in his assessment of us.

There is nothing that does it for me like "Jesus loves me, this I know." It is the doctrine that just keeps giving. It puts a spring in our step when we believe it---the same way it makes you feel good to know, when you and your husband have parted in the morning, that somewhere out there is a man who is thinking about you.

The doctrine of "God is love" means I don't have to be forever watching my own back. It means I don't have to worry about treachery or lies or gossip or scheming or unfairness. God has got that---just stand back and watch him work. King David knew that too, and so he didn't kill his pursuer Saul when he had the chance. Jesus knew that as well, so he kept silent when falsely charged. He "entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."

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