Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”
Do not interpretations belong to God? Scripture must be read prayerfully and interpreted with a humble spirit. We must first admit to ourselves that we know nothing and only then can we be open to the teaching God through his word. We must be sure we interpret with the Holy Spirit, the author or the Word. But should it not be that Scripture interprets us?
The Word of God is not simply some ordinary object to be studied and picked apart. It has all power and authority to direct our lives. It is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. It is his word and our guide. It is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. It is the self revelation of God to the world.
And who can say they understand the word of God unless the Spirit himself reveals the truth in the words? You can read the Bible and gain nothing from it because only spiritual minds understand spiritual truths. Only God reveals himself to whom he wills and so all true interpretations belong to God. Anything else is a distortion towards destruction. God is inerrant in His Word and thus any addition or subtraction is an imperfection and sacrilege. To wield the Word is a frightful thing, sharper than any sword and more impactful than any cannon. Handle with care.
Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Deuteronomy 29:29
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."
Our very knowledge of God is bounded by only the extent to which he has revealed himself to us. There are many great mysteries far too great for above our comprehension. What he has revealed is all we needed to know for our salvation and benefit. More importantly, God's truth as it is revealed through God's Word (both the Incarnate Christ and the Scriptures) belongs to us and our children.
God in the fullness of his revelation is a God for us purposed in Jesus Christ. Theology, therefore, is just a restatement of what God has already said of himself. We know nothing unless God reveals it, for the secret things are his. Theology is synonymous with "Christianity" because Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fullness of God in Man. So every Christian is a theologian for Christ is revealed to each one.
Truly, because of the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we can know God in the same way God knows himself, if only in miniature. And yet, even with all this revelation, it is but the tip of an infinite God for we still say with all sincerity, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Rom 11:33)
Our very knowledge of God is bounded by only the extent to which he has revealed himself to us. There are many great mysteries far too great for above our comprehension. What he has revealed is all we needed to know for our salvation and benefit. More importantly, God's truth as it is revealed through God's Word (both the Incarnate Christ and the Scriptures) belongs to us and our children.
God in the fullness of his revelation is a God for us purposed in Jesus Christ. Theology, therefore, is just a restatement of what God has already said of himself. We know nothing unless God reveals it, for the secret things are his. Theology is synonymous with "Christianity" because Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fullness of God in Man. So every Christian is a theologian for Christ is revealed to each one.
Truly, because of the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we can know God in the same way God knows himself, if only in miniature. And yet, even with all this revelation, it is but the tip of an infinite God for we still say with all sincerity, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Rom 11:33)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
How does one go about transforming their minds? How are they renewed? The key lies in the phrase "be transformed".
Be transformed is not an active, but a passive command. Fully written out, it means "Allow yourself to be transformed" rather than "transform yourself". You are not the one who does any transforming, but then who or what does?
The mind is a mirror to that which it sees. If all it sees is pornography, then the mind will be occupied with lust and sexual images. If all it takes in is violence, the imagination will turn violent. If a mind is occupied with video games, it will think of video games for the majority of its thoughts. The thought life is a reflection upon that which it reflects. It is transformed only by that which it sees, hears, tastes, touches, and smells.
And what if what the mind reflected was the one, true, and holy God who lives and breathes life into the dying, maker and sustainer of His creation, the way, the truth, and the life? The mind will be transformed by him. Its thoughts will be made alive and its imagination brimming with the will of God. The mind which dwells on God and his Word is holy because God is holy.
How does one go about transforming their minds? How are they renewed? The key lies in the phrase "be transformed".
Be transformed is not an active, but a passive command. Fully written out, it means "Allow yourself to be transformed" rather than "transform yourself". You are not the one who does any transforming, but then who or what does?
The mind is a mirror to that which it sees. If all it sees is pornography, then the mind will be occupied with lust and sexual images. If all it takes in is violence, the imagination will turn violent. If a mind is occupied with video games, it will think of video games for the majority of its thoughts. The thought life is a reflection upon that which it reflects. It is transformed only by that which it sees, hears, tastes, touches, and smells.
And what if what the mind reflected was the one, true, and holy God who lives and breathes life into the dying, maker and sustainer of His creation, the way, the truth, and the life? The mind will be transformed by him. Its thoughts will be made alive and its imagination brimming with the will of God. The mind which dwells on God and his Word is holy because God is holy.
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