Make it make sense!

From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. How do people interpret life? When our world doesn’t make sense, what gives us clarity? What gives us stability? What do we use to understand our circumstances, especially when things get rough? What gives us the proper perspective? The basic idea or premise is that everyone on the planet shares a kind of behavioral DNA, a pattern for how we view life. We all imagine life the way it ought to be, the way it is, the way it can be and the way it will be. We see this pattern in everyday life and in movies, novels, songs and art. However, this pattern also is found in Scripture. We imagine the way life ought to be because of creation. Being made in the image of God, we were designed for a perfect relationship with God and other people. We recognize the way it is as not quite right because of sin and its corresponding corruption. In the Bible, a “fallen world” refers to the state of humanity and creation after Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, resulting in sin, suffering, and death entering the world. Paul reminds us of God’s perspective with these words: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). In other words, we live in a fallen, broken world. For this reason, our current reality doesn’t line up with God’s original intent. When we think about the way life can be, it’s because of God’s redemption in Jesus. Deep down we long for renewal, for freedom. Only a relationship with Jesus via redemption results in renewal and freedom! Be encouraged!