This weekend at church we discussed how the attitude with which we approach this book can have deep implications for our spiritual lives, and how sometimes we don’t even realize the faulty views of scripture we align ourselves with. There were analogies of people treating it like a fortune cookie, a magic 8 ball, a law book, a text book, a Rorschach test, a paddle we swat people with… the metaphors were endless… but safe to say, at least one of them resonated with each person there. It’s good to evaluate our view of God’s Word. I think it can be a litmus test for our perception of who God is and the healthiness of our faith.
It’s said in 2 Timothy that the holy scriptures are God-breathed. A unique description of God’s Word. This word picture brings us back to the beginning when God created earth and man and everything in between… and how Adam was just a pile of dirt until God breathed his breath into him. With God’s breath comes life and spirit and purpose. It’s the same with what’s written in The Bible- that same divine breath that’s in us is alive in scripture too... this is why something in us is stirred and awakened if we allow ourselves to engage with God’s words!
The writer of Hebrews understood this… he says that the Word of God is alive and active- it’s not just empty words. They have relevance and power. He relates scripture to a sharp sword before which we are uncovered and exposed. Apparently, these words in the original Greek were the same words used to describe animals laid out before being sacrificed and gladiators about to be killed by their opponent. They have the connotation of complete and utter vulnerability, a matter of life or death.
BUT… and this is what I love… right after it says this in Hebrews, the writer says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” We have no need to live in fear or guilt or shame… the only need we have is for the grace of Jesus which He wants to shower on us.
The repeated phrase of the morning at church was that “The Bible is not about being right, but about righting relationships (with God and with others).” The theme woven throughout the pages of The Bible is one of redemption and reconciliation. It's meant to bring hope and light... not argue people into the ground. God's words should be treated with humility, not pride.
My prayer for myself… and whoever else may read this… is that we would develop a passion for God’s Word and allow it to teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and train us so that we might be thoroughly equipped… not to argue or lecture people into the kingdom of God… but to love them and serve them, that they might desire to know our Jesus too…
This is great! I really enjoyed reading this. I really loved at the end when you said "is that we would develop a passion for God’s Word and allow it to teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and train us so that we might be thoroughly equipped… not to argue or lecture people into the kingdom of God… but to love them and serve them, that they might desire to know our Jesus too…" I pray this too!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this entire passage because I feel your passion for the Word throughout. Such a beautiful thing. Fr. Anthony De Millo once said that to know one part of scripture is to know all of scripture. I think he was referring to these verse that tell us it is alive and, yes, speaks more than words. This doesn't keep me from reading it, or memorizing it, of course. Rather, it comforts me that in this journey , all I need do is move closer to Him and He will move closer to me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!!
Hi Denise - wow, what a dilemma you have when asked about your studies. Its enough to want to tell them something else!!! I really like what you say here "The Bible is not about being right, but about righting relationships (with God and with others).” If we all approached God's word in this way there'd be far less judgement all around I'd think. Great post and thank you for linking with me today. I appreciate it
ReplyDeleteTracy
ps, I'm your blog's latest follower
I've just started the Inductive Study Bible and am really enjoying reading the Bible to understand it for myself, taking in all the history, the names. I used to just gloss over the names and dates, thinking they were unimportant. But God is showing me how intentional He is and how He beautifully orchestrates everything if I just pay attention.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteI really liked this paragraph, "The repeated phrase of the morning at church was that “The Bible is not about being right, but about righting relationships (with God and with others).” The theme woven throughout the pages of The Bible is one of redemption and reconciliation. It's meant to bring hope and light... not argue people into the ground. God's words should be treated with humility, not pride."
It takes some of us so long to learn to love others to Christ, not beat them over the head with our harsh understanding of His word.
When that day comes, I'm sure the world sees the difference, don't you?
Ok. I've decided. I think we'd get along in real-life.
ReplyDeleteHappy week, friend.
I totally love this post, Denise -- especially the line that other commenters have cited: "The Bible is not about being right, but about righting relationships (with God and with others).” Such wonderful truth there -- thank you for expressing it so succinctly.
ReplyDeleteindeed, that line about righting relationships is so true. we may never get to all agree, but Jesus himself prayed for unity and in the end, love is what matters. thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteLove that thought about righting relationships. So good.
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