By: Laura Bennett
More and more, it seems that society sees truth as ambiguous.
Acclaimed Bible teacher and author Carol MacLeod is known for her deeply insightful guides on living a faith-filled life. She is a passionate believer in the transformative power of scripture and draws from her personal experiences of loss and resilience.
Carol chatted in our interview about the importance of holding onto truth – and the daily practises which will help support our faith.
“We live in this quagmire, in this swamp of twisted truth, of we don’t know what to believe anymore,” she said. “Christians need to stand for truth, to stand for righteousness as never before.”
The crisis of truth and the role of the church
The lack of clarity around truth has led to immense brokenness around the world.
“Wrong has become right, and right has become wrong,” Carol said and explained that she believes the church must reclaim its position as the moral compass of society.
“The church needs to be the voice of truth,” she said, calling for believers to rise up as beacons of eternal truth amid moral decay.
The solution? A recommitment to biblical truth, Carol said.
“Christians need to stand for truth, to stand for righteousness as never before.”
Embracing God’s character for true transformation
May we never underestimate the importance of understanding and embracing God’s character. Without a comprehensive knowledge of who God is, we cannot make sound decisions or live a faith-filled life, Carol said.
“One of the most important things we can do this side of heaven is to get to know God in His fullness.”
Recognising God’s intrinsic goodness, and refusing to allow it to be diluted is imperative.
“All of the other characteristics of God have to start with good,” Carol said. “If He’s not good, how can He be our healer? How can He be compassionate?”
The foundation of God’s goodness
Central to this understanding is recognizing God’s intrinsic goodness. Often, the concept of goodness is diluted in everyday context, making it seem trivial.
However, Carol said, “All of the other characteristics of God have to start with good. If He’s not good, how can He be our healer? How can He be compassionate?”
By delving deeper into our relationship with God and cultivating respect and admiration, we will find ourselves living with a reverence which inspires better living, rooted in the assurance of God’s benevolent nature, Carol teaches.
When we view God’s actions through the lens of His goodness, we can embrace them more positively.
“One of the most important things we can do this side of Heaven is to get to know God in His fullness.”
Cultivating a mature faith
The growth and maturity that come from seeking and aligning with God’s will leads to a place where our actions and decisions are made through God’s directives.
Knowing God’s will is not just about reading scripture but about embodying and doing His will. This is where true Christian maturity is measured.
Obedience and growth through adversity
“One of my sayings, Laura, is don’t waste your pain, but use your pain as a springboard for ministry,” Carol said, likening the process to the learning and growth experienced during childhood through the guidance of parents.
The same principle applies to our spiritual lives: obeying God, as challenging as it may be, leads to a safer, happier, and ultimately more fulfilling life.
“One of the reasons we’ve been put here to breathe in oxygen is to learn obedience, to learn to obey Him,” she said.
Practical steps to live an abundant life
Living an abundant life revolves around three main pillars: peace, joy, and hope. These elements are crucial for a fulfilling life, even in the face of adversity.
Carol’s personal journey through significant life challenges, including the loss of multiple children, has taught her the power of these pillars.
Through the tough years, she discovered that there is a transformative power of consistency in spiritual practices.
She describes her connection with the Bible during her years of depression as an addiction; “I was so addicted to the Word that I played cars with my little boys with my Bible opened on my legs.”
Three Tips
Here are Carol’s three tips, to help you begin living abundantly today:
1 – Read the Bible
Immerse yourself in scripture even when it doesn’t seem to resonate.
“Have you read your Bible today? Because that’s the legacy of my life,” she said. “We don’t read the Bible for information. We read it for transformation.”
2 – Worship
Engage in worship, allowing it to be a source of strength even when tears accompany your song.
“Get to know who He is in His fullness, in His glory, in His goodness,” Carol said. “The most important things that we can do this side of Heaven is get to know God.”
3 – Pray
Find a prayer partner to support and pray for you during difficult times.
“We are human beings endeavoring to follow a perfect God,” she said. “You ask for it. You say, hey, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I want that power that Paul was talking about.”
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Carol McLeod
About the Author: Laura Bennett is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.