Summer Hiatus

With summer upon us and a hectic schedule, my blog will be inactive until later this fall. Please check back then. I hope it has been a blessing to you.

Mike

How To Read Scripture, Part 22

The summit obviously refers to the top of the mountain. Clearly no one ever reaches the peak knowing all there is about Scripture. While truth is gained through the climb, the summit offers perspective. We can see what lies below. We can see the world scrambling around trying to figure life out. Scientists study diligently for clues about how life began, but we already know if we have read God’s Word. Philosophers ponder the meaning of life, but we already know because we have studied His precepts. Religion seeks to explain how man can reach God, but we already know because we have memorized His statutes. The high tech crowd seeks to make life better, but we already know because we have meditated day and night on principles that have made us wiser than our teachers. This is not a prideful attitude, but one in which the truth has set us free. This is not arrogance, because we will be humbled by the climb. So put on your boots! We have some hiking to do. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 21

Scripture is of little value if we are not personalizing it. Information about the Bible is collected in the brain. Application of biblical truth penetrates the soul. This comes from asking yourself hard questions. Let’s analyze a very simple statement from the Lord Jesus found in the 12th chapter of Luke’s gospel. As Jesus was addressing a large gathering, a man from the crowd came up to Jesus and asked Him if He would be willing to settle a dispute about an inheritance between this man and his brother. Read carefully Jesus’ reply: “And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:14-15).

How much simpler could a statement be about what life does not consist of? Having meditated on this verse for quite some time, I started asking myself some hard questions. I wrote them in the margin of my Bible. If my life does not consist in the abundance of things, then why do I continue pursuing the abundance of things? How does my life reflect the fact that I don’t love the things of this world? If my life does not consist of what I have, then what does it consist of? Asking ourselves these types of questions is a good discipline to cultivate, as it forces us to grapple with the practical nature of the Word. It keeps us honest and plants seeds of truth for a future harvest. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 20

Through the years it has become very helpful to me to take a biblical truth and put it into my own words. This forces me to think through an issue in a precise and relevant fashion. The Scriptures reveal to us the purpose of the law. If I take the time to examine several verses regarding the law--“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24) or “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20) or “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28), I can put some definition to the overall truth regarding the law. I have distilled the subject of the law to this singular definition: The law states where I should be but condemns my every attempt to get there. This succinct definition will help me explain the purpose of the law to others, particularly the lost.

Another example of putting truths into my own words is in Paul’s writings on contentment. Paul in several Scriptures addresses the issue of contentment. In Philippians he tells us, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12). In I Timothy 6:5-6, he is even more definitive in his exhortation: “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.” My own definition of contentment is coming to a place in my life where I desire nothing, as opposed to coming to a place where I have everything. We can do this with most any subject of Scripture. From Deuteronomy 8, I have learned that material possessions are not wrong, but if they cause me to forget God, they become wrong. Therefore, materialism is enjoying the pleasures of this life independent of glorifying God. Having looked at the life of Jesus, I conclude that leadership is that quality of life which by its very example encourages others to follow.

Our definitions need not be profound, but should be basic expressions of major truths that help us see the big picture in a simple way. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 19

Because the Word is profitable, it is imperative that we learn to benefit from it:

· Doctrine. We often think of doctrine as belonging to theologians, but doctrine simply means teaching. A study of the Trinity is no more doctrinal than a study of love. In I Timothy 1:9-10 we have a list of sins that show deficiency of character, which is referred to as “…contrary to sound doctrine.” I Timothy 6:3 speaks of “…doctrine which is according to godliness.” Titus reveals the same truth regarding doctrine when it says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:1-4). We, therefore, must not be intimidated by the word “doctrine” and should be encouraged by the fact that anyone can understand and obey sound doctrine.

· Reproof. Doctrine brings about conviction (reproof). This is so vital to our spiritual growth; for if we are not convicted, we will not see a need for change. The psalmist speaks to the importance of this issue when he writes, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). I love this verse because it tells me that without the guidance of God’s Word not only will I not hate every false way, I won’t even be able to identify the false way. This is a sobering thought because Proverbs 14:12 warns me of the consequences of going in the wrong way: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” This is why so many believers today seem oblivious to the immorality that not only surrounds them but has overtaken their lives.

· Correction. This word carries with it the idea of returning to an upright state.

· Instruction. This brings us to the point of being nurtured and disciplined. We are now strong and mature to carry out the good works to which God has called us.

That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 18

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). We are told in this verse that Scripture is profitable for:

· Doctrine – sound teaching.
· Reproof – conviction.
· Correction – brought to an upright state.
· Instruction – nurture and discipline.

The end result is “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:17). When I consider the great promises attendant with reading the Word, what is it that keeps us from it? Peter Lord, a well-known pastor in Florida, often inquires of large audiences: “How many of you believe everything you read in the newspaper?” He waits to see if anyone will raise their hand. He then follows up with this question, “How many of you believe everything you read in the Bible?” The response, of course, is usually everyone or nearly everyone raises their hand. He then asks, “How many of you spend more time reading the newspaper than the Scriptures?” He knows what the agonizing response will be. His final word of conviction is, “You mean to tell me that you spend more time reading what you don’t believe than reading what you do believe?” Though convicting, it is certainly an excellent question. One of my desires in writing this is to remove the excuses we often give about not spending time in God’s Word. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 17

It has been said, and rightly so, that the greatest commentary on the Word of God is the Word itself. I had a wonderful professor in Bible college who said, “It’s amazing how much light the Bible sheds on all those commentaries.” Perhaps the most succinct statement about the Scriptures within the domain of Scripture is Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This wonderful revelation tells us what the Word is and what it does. It is alive and it does pierce. It is powerful and it does divide. It is sharp and it does discern. This verse must be squeezed in order to extract every bit of its spiritual nourishment. Let’s address what the Word is:

· It is alive. Unlike Shakespeare or great poetry that stirs the heart and warms the soul, the Word of God imparts life: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (I Peter 1:23). The Word takes us into the spiritual arena by giving us new birth as we understand and accept the gospel. We are made right with God. The Lord can now communicate with His people through the Scriptures by His Spirit, who illuminates our minds.

· It is powerful. It gives spiritual energy to the believer who needs to feed daily upon it because our pilgrimage is difficult. We need the exhortation to keep on persevering through the trials of life.

· It is sharp. Here we have the illustration of being able to cut and divide. This is necessary because life is filled with hazy issues that leave us perplexed and confused. How often do we hear the question, “Where do you draw the line?” Though Scripture may not give us an exact answer to every issue, it serves as a guide to help us navigate the narrow channels of decision making.

Now let’s consider what the Word does:

· It pierces. This is the penetrating character of the Word. It penetrates into hidden areas of the mind. It searches out the secret places without a warrant. It plays no games as it brings the soul under conviction.

· It divides. Its razor-like quality is like the precise scalpel of the surgeon, whereas human reason is like a machete being wielded by a wild man. The Word can actually tell us what thoughts or actions emanate from the soul (the immaterial part of man that relates to the world) and the spirit (the immaterial part of man that relates to God). “…Lord, I believe [spirit]; help thou mine unbelief [soul]” Mark 9: 24.

· It discerns. Because of its living quality, the Word can discern between the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is why Hebrews 5:14 tells us that a mature believer in the Word can discern between good and evil. Many believers today are handicapped in this area of discernment. Once the Word sinks deeply into our spirit, we become sensitive to evil and are able to avoid it.

That’s the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 16

Wisdom is such an important quality of life and Scripture puts a great premium on it. It is particularly special to me because I had a difficult time in the academic environment in which I was raised. School did not come easily to me, and I floundered from the day I entered the classroom until the day I graduated. Recently, a young man from our congregation politely asked me if I ever had a complex about being stupid. He phrased it differently than that, but I had no trouble reading between the lines. I told him I don’t ever recall having had a complex, but if I did it was quickly resolved when I understood the difference between being intelligent and being wise. Intelligence speaks of the inherent capability to grasp information and process it. Wisdom is a skill for living--it is seeing life from God’s perspective. I have known many intelligent fools in God’s eyes. The Scripture refers to those who profess themselves to be wise but are fools. These are intelligent people who reject the revelation of God. Not everyone has the mental capability of being intellectual, their I.Q. may be limited. However, all believers have the capacity to become wise because the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14).

The Scriptures exhort us to search for wisdom as we would a hidden treasure. First, this implies that the Lord considers wisdom as greater than gold or silver: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14). Second, the Word shows that wisdom is not easily found. We must “prospect” for it. Third, it demonstrates that what is valuable does not lie conspicuously on the surface but must be unearthed. Value is usually based on the availability of an item. The less available, the greater the value. This is why wisdom is so valuable and why so few people possess it, for we live in a day when intelligence and human wisdom are highly desired. Parents drive their children to excel in academics, which is not wrong, but may very well be out of balance if wisdom is not sought with equal fervor.

How do we search for wisdom? Diamonds and gold must be mined, and they are usually found in places that are not as accessible as jewels of lesser value. This is where careful study and meditation pay great dividends to uncover the precious nuggets in the Scriptures. Prospecting for wisdom means spending time in the Word. That’s the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 15

Most theological systems contain some truth and some error. Many of these systems have been the brainchild of brilliant Bible scholars who have wanted to systematize the ways of God. It is dangerous to subscribe to a framework that defines God. He simply defies all efforts to be systematized or categorized. The Lord has a way of placing speed bumps throughout His Word that thwart all attempts to put Him into a box. The problem arises when we have a pre-existing reference point from which to operate, which forces interpretations of a text in an effort to fit the theological mold, often distorting the truth.

Several years ago, I went to hear the great theologian J. I. Packer. After one of his lectures, someone asked him how God could bless people who were incorrect theologically. I will never forget his wise reply. He looked over the audience and said, “I’m off theologically and God blesses me.” The audience was stunned at his reply. How could the great J. I. Packer be off? He then went onto say, “I just don’t know where. If I knew where, I would correct it. I couldn’t be perfect in my interpretation of all doctrinal issues.” What a wonderful, humble response.

There is a certain danger inherent within theological systems because they leave no room for mystery. They are rigid and must give answers to all difficulties. There is a subtle arrogance that surfaces, and we become excellent debaters who sling scriptural grenades back and forth as though we were at war with anyone who would dare to question our thinking. I don’t wish to be misinterpreted at this point by implying we can never drive a stake in the ground and say, “Thus saith the Lord.” I have very strong convictions about doctrine, but I leave room to listen to others whom God might use to sharpen my position or help me see a different perspective. Believe it or not, God blesses people who don’t agree with you or me, and He doesn’t bless us because of our knowledge but in spite of it. That’s what makes God gracious. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 14

In Psalm 119:105 we read, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” When this text was written there were no flashlights or lasers. People used simple lanterns to find their way in the dark. The analogy that Scripture uses here is quite significant. If I hold my lantern, it will cast a certain amount of light to allow me to see my way, but not all the way. As I step onto the safe ground revealed by the light, it advances the light and reveals the next step to me. New revelation only comes as I obey previous revelation. Many believers continue to stare at the same piece of property all their lives and never take that next step of faith. God reveals nothing new to some believers because they have failed to obey what has been revealed.

The Lord’s teaching on this is brought to light in many Scripture passages. In Acts 10, we have the vision of the sheet descending from heaven. Peter has no idea what this represents (Acts 10:17). In verse 20 he is instructed by the Holy Spirit to carry out a task without doubting. He obeys. The next thing we find out is “…but God hath shewed me...” (Acts 10:28). The Lord revealed the meaning of the vision. This is consistent throughout the sacred Scriptures. Joseph, Daniel, Paul, and others obeyed, feared the Lord, and were given understanding.

I am not talking here about receiving new revelation. The Scriptures are complete. Understanding them, however, is another matter. Obedience to what we do know yields greater understanding of what we need to know next. That's the way I see things.

How To Read Scripture, Part 13

When reading through Scripture, look for consistent themes, cause and effect relationships, and common denominators. These are very helpful in understanding the mind of God. One biblical pattern that I noticed a few years ago is what I call the saturation principle. In Genesis 15:16 we read, “…for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” I began to inquire if there were hints in other portions of Scripture that would indicate when the Lord would say, “Enough is enough.” In Genesis 6:13 the Lord tells us, “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth ” (Genesis 6:13). The fullness of man’s evil brought a deluge upon the world. We then read of the wickedness of Sodom. The immorality was from “every quarter” of the city (Genesis 19:4). There again we see fullness. Destruction was soon to follow. Daniel tells us in Daniel 8:23, “…when the transgressors are come to the full.…” Nineveh had reached a level of wickedness when God sent Jonah to warn them of impending doom.

God had a point of saturation for a city Sodom, a nation Israel, and the world. What might this say to us who live in present-day America? That's the way I see things.