Wisdom's Corner
EarthquakeDo you know what an earthquake is? Have you ever lived through one? Have you ever seen the damage from one?
Earthquakes are when parts of the earth slide or move. Very large areas may shake very hard as the earth moves. Most of the time the earth moves because the rocks which it sits on is not stable. The rocks(and these are very, very big rocks deep in the ground) are not secure. They do not sit just like they should. So at times they slide into another position.
Earthquakes can be small and cause just a little damage to the homes which sit on top of the earth that moved. But sometimes the earthquakes are large and cause great damage. This damage not only destroys homes, buildings, and roads but can kill people.
People try very hard to build their homes and buildings strong and safe enough that they will not fall when an earthquake happens. They put the best materials into the buildings so that they will be strong. Governments even pass laws which require builders to make the buildings "earthquake proof".
God wants our lives to be "earthquake proof". He does not mean from a physical earthquake. He wants us to be strong against spiritual earthquakes.
Colossians 1:21-23, "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister."
In verse 23 Paul uses the word 'grounded'. This word means to lay a foundation. We need to study the Bible so that we have a good foundation in God's Word. He also uses the word 'settled'. This word means "to be immovable" or "cannot be moved". And he also uses the words 'be not moved away'. These words mean "to stir to another place".
The Colossians lived in an area where there are many earthquakes. They would have understood what Paul was saying. If they studied the Bible and obeyed everything God told them to do, they would not be moved or destroyed by a spiritual earthquake.
I know you want to be safe from a spiritual earthquake. Keep studying your Bible and obey what God wants you to do.
Mark McWhorter
Copyright 1998
Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)