Check the answer key

August 22, 2018

Blog, Devotions

When I was in fifth grade, I took some delight in solving extra-credit math problems. Our classroom had supplementary math books in addition to the book the teacher used for our math course. My classmates and I could use those books during our free time in class or we could take them home.

The answer key

Since solving these problems was not part of our classroom assignments, my work was not corrected in class or by the teacher. That would seem to create a learning issue: How would I know that I got the right answers?

But there was simple solution. All the answers to the math problems were in the back of the book. All I had to do was check out the answer key.

The Bible is our answer key

The Bible tells us that it is the answer key to the problems of life. And, even better, the answer key to the problem of death.

It says:

Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
John 17:17 Your word is truth.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Even better, in the Bible

we hear Jesus promise, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
Paul attests, “The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
John assures, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Check God's answer key

Where better to get the answers to life’s issues from than God’s Book? It contains the ultimate answer key.

So check that key in those times you wonder if you have the right answer to one of life’s challenges. Check the answer key in those times you wonder if God still loves you, has forgiven you, and is preparing a place for you in heaven.

We don’t have to guess if we have the right answers. In his Word, the Spirit provides solutions for whatever troubles us.

And it’s not cheating to look at his answers.