One’s worldview is the informational filter through which we understand our observations and experiences.
A biblical worldview creates an intellectual and spiritual filter that equips a person to discriminate between the good, the bad, and the ugly (HT to Clint Eastwood).
The foundation of a healthy biblical worldview is the Decalog, the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20:3-17.
The grace of God is essential to practical application. What is grace? Strong’s Concordance breaks down the meaning of the Greek word charis (χάρις), which translates as ‘grace’ in the English-language Bibles. Grace is a range of things from God to man. In short, grace means gift.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
In every case of the use of this word in the Bible, something good and powerful emanates from God to a man or woman. The key to understanding how Holy Spirit interacts with us to direct our behavior is to discover what is inside the gift.
What is inside the gift? Are you curious?
For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
Grace is a gift from God. Inside this gift is the desire and the power to do God’s will. The antithesis of grace is lust: a desire, a craving, a longing, a desire for what is forbidden.
But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and when sin is finished, it brings forth death. James 1:14-15
Some confuse lust as a holy desire. If you question your desires, and we should always question them, check with the Decalog. If your desire aligns with one of the shall-nots of the Decalog, the desire is most assuredly not from God.
For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Lust leads to bondage. Grace leads to freedom.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 