Monday, April 29, 2019

The Bible – More than Stories.

“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:45

The Word of God is more than a compilation of stories of what people said and did in times past. Of course you know that already.  But from time to time, it is important for us to be reminded, lest we become complacent about the Bible’s significance, its spiritual roots and the role it plays in our personal spiritual journey. The disciples knew the Scriptures but they did not comprehend or understand them.  They could read the words, but Jesus had to “open their understanding” to the spiritual context of those words.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God has given us the scripture for a reason, well several actually. Doctrine is a set of beliefs. Reproof is rebuke or chastening. Correction is clarifying what is wrong and what is right. Instruction in righteousness is instruction in right living – How to be like Jesus. The Word – the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) – is key to right living and victory over temptation to sin. (Psalm 119:11)

The thing is, the Bible is a spiritual book that requires the Spirit of God to understand its truth.  Someone asked me how to explain the Bible to a lost person.  I told them that it is impossible for anyone to grasp the truth the Bible apart from the Spirit of God “opening their understanding.” They must be a Christian to understand the spiritual truth in the Bible.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned”. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Anyone can read the Bible.  It has been published in over 450 languages.  The New Testament in aver 1400 languages.  The Gospel of Mark in over 2300 languages.  Where there was no written language, ministries like Wycliffe, study the spoken language and develop a written version and then teach the people to read.  Its truth cannot be understood apart from the Spirit of God. That being said, the absence of the written Word does not limit the possibility of salvation for those who do not have access to it. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  – Ephesians 2:8-10

We have a great responsibility and calling because of our unfettered access to the Word of God?  But still, many Christians are biblically illiterate, by their own choosing.  They have decided that reading and studying the Word is optional, and they choose not to.  The truth is, God has made the Word available to us for His purpose.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20

We have the Spirit of God in our hearts, (Ephesians 1:13-14) and the Word of God at our fingertips.  All we lack is the will to obey.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” – Luke 12:48

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