Subject: How should we take the Bible? |
Bible Note: Hi Jeff, I agree with you in hoping that what Doc described is the exception and not the rule, but I stand with Doc, and am a part of his "we". Who among us would think, or claim, that we follow the Lord's mandates most of the time? Why do you think that there are so many places that we are told to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only? Not because it comes automatically, easily, or quickly, I am certain. I would even go a little further than what Doc wrote, and say that we don't even try to figure out how to not obey, we so often have not even the slightest intention of obeying. We read the Word so that we can think we are ok, and then continue with our lives as we choose. There is such a fundamental disobedience within us that has to die, and I think that of the people I know or have met, that have more than half died to themselves as God requires, I could count on one hand. Look at the state of the Christian church in America, and you tell me how far we have come. How many Christians do you know who you would characturize as primarily engaged in a ministry of reconciliation of mankind to God (2Cor 5)? How many are persecuted (2Tim 3)? How many have even suffered minor loss for the sake of the gospel? How many could stand up before us today, and say with clear conscience, "I live holy before God." How should we take the Bible? Like a scalpel in the hand of the only One Who can save us, like the drops of water on a dying man's lips, like our marching orders for today, lest we waste yet another day. Like our Father's words of love, and of power, that will light our way home. Blessings! Love in Christ, Mark |