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.