Page 16 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_00_MacArthurFront.qxd 8/8/03 14:16 Page xv

FIFTY-TWO KEY PASSAGES OF THE BIBLE
works by faith alone through grace. And there is true” encompasses all the revelation of God. Truth is
every other system, by whatever name, that says by found in God, in Christ, in the Holy Spirit, in the
religious ceremony, by moral deeds, and by good Scripture. “Whatever is noble” means to meditate on
works you earn your way to heaven. It provides no what is worthy of respect, what is sacred as opposed
peace and no rest because no one can be perfect. to the profane. “Whatever is just” means to measure it
by the divine standard of holiness. “Whatever is pure”
Jesus came along and said, “Come to Me, and I’ll
give you rest. Instead of this horrendous yoke that means morally clean. “Whatever is lovely” means ami-
has been imposed upon you, take My yoke. I’m gen- able or pleasing. “Whatever is of good report” is what-
tle, I’m lowly in heart, and I’ll give you rest because ever is kind and gracious and edifying. So if there is
My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” That is the any value in virtue, and if there is any value in a life
wonderful promise of salvation by grace through that is worthy of praise, meditate on these things.
faith. Make sure the focus of your life is directed toward
these things, and you will enjoy the wonderful fruit of
Week 39 this kind of godly thinking.
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were Week 41
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you
again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation;
you may be also.”—JOHN 14:2,3, page 560 but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—JOHN
16:33, page 570
Jesus, that last night before His death, gave His
disciples many promises, and none more wonderful Jesus said this to His beloved apostles in the Upper
than that He was leaving for the purpose of preparing Room the night of His betrayal. He was going away,
a place for them in heaven and that He would be back and they were going to be worried, fearful, anxious,
to take them there. When Jesus said, “In my Father’s troubled. Through that night He made promises to
house are many mansions,” the actual original lan- ease their troubled hearts. He even said, “Let not your
guage puts it this way: “In My Father’s house are heart be troubled.” And He promised them love and
many rooms, many rooms.” There’s only one house— the Holy Spirit and answered prayer and peace. He
the Father’s house—with many rooms. I’m not living said to them, “There’s no reason to be troubled. All
15 blocks from the Father’s house; I’m in it. And so that I’ve told you is so that you might have peace in
are you. I’m going to go there to be with the Lord. He your heart because you know the Holy Spirit is there.
will dwell forever with His people, and I shall dwell in You have nothing to be anxious about. In the world,
His house. you will have tribulation.” That word actually means
“trouble.” It comes from a word that means “pres-
What is the Lord Jesus doing right now? He’s in sure.” “You will be squeezed tightly by the difficulties
heaven. One of the things He’s doing is getting it of this life, but in the midst of it, be of good cheer
ready for His children, and someday He’s coming to because in the end I’ve overcome the world.” That is
take us all to be there. That looks at the Rapture when to say there’s nothing the world can do to you that
Jesus comes and snatches away His redeemed to wins ultimately. Momentary pain, a momentary dis-
heaven where we’ll celebrate the marriage supper of appointment, but the world’s opposition has been ren-
the Lamb and receive our eternal rewards and find dered null and void. And even though the world
our room in the Father’s house. And we’ll dwell there continues to attack the people of God, such attacks fall
throughout all of eternity, enjoying all the things that harmlessly, for Christ’s victory has already accom-
God has prepared for those who love Him. plished a smashing defeat of the whole world system.
Week 40 Week 42
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And
of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
—PHILIPPIANS 4:8, page 1017
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are the product of what we take in. If we take —ROMANS 12:1,2, page 815
garbage in, garbage will come out. But Jesus said: The goal of these two verses is to live a life that
“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what pleases God, a life in the center of God’s will. How do
comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matt. you do that? By being transformed through the
15:11). The real problem is what’s in us. It’s that fallen renewing of your mind. This principle is all through
flesh. Sin doesn’t come from the outside in; it comes Scripture. Transformation occurs as the Holy Spirit
from the inside out. This verse tells us there are all changes your thinking. As you meditate on the Word
kinds of things outside that excite that sin inside.
of God, it takes root in your heart and shapes your
Paul is saying, “Look, if you want to live a life that thinking. You have to have a mind transformed by the
honors God, meditate on godliness.” “Whatever is renewing of biblical truth.

xv