Reflections on the New Testament

One of my goals for January 2024 was to listen to the entire New Testament on the Dwell Bible app. Today is January 27, and on my 15 mile run this morning (on the way to reach a monthly fitness goal) I finished the New Testament. Just on today's run I listened to I & II Peter, I, II, & III John, Jude, and Revelation. I usually read through the Bible in a year where the pace is much slower, but going through the 27 books of the NT in one month has allowed me to make connections I otherwise may not have made. In no particular order, here are a few broad takeaways from my journey through the New Testament:

1. Jesus is remarkably patient. I was struck again and again at His patience with His disciples, with random strangers, and even with so many who questioned Him during His earthly ministry. I am thankful for His patience with me as well. Praise the Lord for His patience with His people.

2. The early church had its fair share of messiness. From conflicts over doctrine to disputes over what to eat and where to go, there was a lot of messiness. The church today also has its fair share of messiness, including the messiness of my own life and my own church. Believers in the early church and believers today are in the process of sanctification - and it is messy more often than we'd like to admit. Praise the Lord for His grace working in us.

3. I need to know what I believe and be ready to give an answer. This specific truth is from I Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." I not only need to know what I believe and how to articulate my faith, but I need to be living a life that demonstrates I'm hoping in something or someone other than what an onlooking world might be hoping in. Christ is our only Hope in life and death. Praise the Lord for the hope He gives.

4. Jesus wins - and it's not even close. The book of Revelation is particularly spectacular. The account that John shares of the end times seem unfathomably horrifying, yet the culmination of the book is the indisputable defeat of Satan and the magnificent triumph of Jesus and the redemption of His people from every tribe and tongue. Praise the Lord for winning the victory and giving us the victory!

A Mighty Fortress is our God
Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

Image from: https://www.thathappycertainty.com/app-review-dwell/