A common complaint about the Bible revolves around the perceived differences between the God portrayed in the Old Testament and the loving nature of Jesus in the New. On careful reading however, this dichotomy fades.

The prophet Ezekiel lays out the argument that every person lives or dies based on their own relationship with God. I don’t get a pass because my parents followed the Lord, nor are my children condemned if I join the ranks of the wicked. We each stand before the Lord on our own.

The Lord emphasized to Ezekiel—Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

This is the wrathful God of the Old Testament speaking.

The Lord indeed takes pleasure in the man or woman who listens to his words and attempts to apply them to his or her life. He made it possible to turn from our corruption with the gift of Jesus as our mediator and savior.

Maybe a different view than we’re led to expect, which is good news from a wild-haired prophet.

Ezekiel 18 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jan Tinneberg

The next two weekends I’ll speak to college juniors and seniors regarding life after school. Regardless of where their career takes them, I’ll share three habits to develop in order to walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, all from the life of Timothy.

Live a Spirit-filled Life

We cannot walk long with Jesus without the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to Timothy, by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:14).

Living with the Holy Spirit involves talking with the Lord, asking the Spirit to indwell us, to speak and act through us. It involves paying attention when the Spirit brings conviction of sin.

It means a daily habit of asking the Holy Spirit to fill and control my life.

Live a Word-filled Life

To walk with Jesus for the next 60 years you need the Bible. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

If all scripture is truly God-breathed, then nothing substitutes—an unwavering commitment to the Word of God is necessary to keep our faith intact.

Lousy ideas and teachings cascade all around us, from social media, television, videos, books and podcasts. Without the living and active Word of God, rubble buries our faith.

Develop the habit of reading or listening to the Bible every day. Commit to it for the rest of your life.

Now for the Synergy…

Over time you’ll start to notice how the Holy Spirit uses the Holy Scriptures to develop your soul. They go together like peas and carrots. The Spirit and the Scriptures meld together in support as you face the battles and temptations of life.

Live a People-filled Life

To walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, you need fellow believers. We need each other—I need young followers of Jesus, and they need us old folks.

Here’s a glimpse into Timothy’s relationship with Paul: You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10).

Timothy persevered in the faith thanks to his friendship with Paul, along with the faith of his mother and grandmother and other committed disciples surrounding him. Good people buoy your faith.

Commit to the habit of seeking out and joining a group of vibrant Christ-followers wherever you go. Finding a good church is often hard work, so decide now to do so the rest of your life. Run with good people.

Good Ideas Make Good Habits…

If you hope to walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, you’ll need to turn good intentions into good habits by cultivating a Spirit-filled, Word-filled, and People-filled life.

Keep the faith.

Photo by Drew Beamer

A man laid beside a pool in Jerusalem for years, hoping for a cure in the miraculous waters. Instead, the one who created those waters walked up and asked, do you want to get well?

Jesus healed the man with this command: Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.

This occurred on a Sabbath, not a problem for Jesus—the Lord of the Sabbath—nor the crippled man now skipping down the street. But a group of Pharisees took offense when they met the man carrying his mat. They asked, who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?

These religious teachers missed the point.

Instead of rejoicing with the now-whole man, or asking about a healer at loose in Jerusalem, their focus turned to minutia. Protection of the status quo, of religion’s place in society, of their standing as guardians all undergirded this question.

The Pharisees focused on the waves Jesus caused, but missed Jesus himself. The Messiah came to set them free, but many (although not all) missed out.

You and I need to find Jesus for ourselves. I hear a broad range of opinions about Jesus, spanning the horizons. Some bring me to careful thought, others are simply drivel. I cannot keep the faith by simply adopting fashionable views of Jesus.

Go to the Good Book. Open the Bible and meet the man who healed the paralytic by the pool. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Take notes. Think. Then read them again, over and over.

Learn to see Jesus for yourself.

John 5 in reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Alejandro Luengo

The psalmist writes:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Today I give thanks to the Lord for Eleanor Lydia, born October 25 in New York City to parents Matt & Megan.

Some days it takes faith to cling to gratitude, but on others it comes in flashing brilliance. And so this little girl arrived.

God’s love continues through generations and indeed endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

Photo by the father