The BSP

        At one of my jobs, there was an expressions that went, “There is a right way and a wrong way and the Bell System Way.” When I worked for American Telephone and Telegraph company every office had a complete system of the “BSP's” which stood for Bell System Practice. Every process and piece of equipment was given complete instructions on how to do it in the BSP's. All you had to do to insure success was to follow the BSP. It could be a large radio transmitter, an Electronic Switching System or writing a letter. It was all covered in the BSP. When I wanted to know how to equalize a circuit, I would go to the BSP. Sound familiar? Hebrews 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” 

        Whether it is Hebrews 12:14, or Second Timothy 3:16-17 or Psalm 119:105, the answer is always the same. When you want to find out the answer to any of life's questions, where do you go? You go to the Bible, the Word of God. When I worked for the Bell System, we had to update the BSP almost everyday to keep the library current with new equipment. There is no update needed for the Word of God. It is perfect the way it is. Second Timothy 3:16 reminds us that the Word of God is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction In righteousness. The Bible tells you where you were, where you are and where you are going. The temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden was in three areas; the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. The same three areas were used at the temptation of Christ in Mathew 4 and Luke 4. Again, the same areas are mentioned in First John 2 in regard to life's issues today. We are still being tempted in the same three areas, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. There is no update needed. Satan's method has not changed because it still works for him. The Word of God, however is our Guide as to how to beat his system. The verse for today, reminds us that we need to live a life “pursuing after holiness.” The word “follow” in the verse means to pursue after just as a Beagle pursues a rabbit. The way that we achieve this pursuit is found in the Word of God, the Bible. Holiness is a lifetime pursuit. The Navigator, Jerry Bridges wrote a book on it called, “The Pursuit of Holiness.” The temptations of Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Saul, David, Solomon, Peter and Paul are the same temptations that you and I face today. Remember the words of the little song, “I stand alone on the Word of God, the  B. I. B. L. E. Praise God today for His Word.