Unlimited: Written to Teach Us
Nov 6, 2023 356
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us (Romans 15:4a).
The apostle Paul here expresses the general principle that the purpose of everything written in the Scriptures was to teach us. By “the Scriptures” it is evident that he means the Old Testament, since the New Testament had only just started to be written.
However, in a more specific sense, and certainly in this context, Paul is referring to the Old Testament Scriptures as they point to Christ. This is evident because in the previous verse he quoted Psalm 69 and applied it to Christ.
What does it teach us about Jesus?
In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul is referring to the Cross as the focal point of the culmination of the ages when he writes,
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Cor. 10:11-12.)
When I was a child I saw the stories of the Old Testament as important moral lessons for others. Now, like the apostle Paul, I understand that everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. As a child I thought that the stories of the Old Testament were there to teach me how to behave. Now, like the apostle Paul, I know that they are there to teach me to direct my thoughts continually to Christ and his Cross.
Spiritual Application
Reflect on your favourite story from the Old Testament. What does it teach you about Jesus?
Alice Peters
Nov 7, 2023
Why is it that I keep feeling like a failure. I pray to God , asking for the Holy Spirit to help me through the day and by night fall i feel i have failed God. I want to show my adult kids and grandchildren what it means to follow Christ and then i feel i have failed. I just can’t seem to get past the stumbling block. Please pray for me that i can truly live a life that is pleasing to God.