UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE 101

Monday, September 07, 2015

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He 

was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not

even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the

light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

Colossians 1:16-17 For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the    

               earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all            

               things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things   

               consist.

2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for

               correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly

               furnished to every good work.

2Peter [GW]chapter 1 … When we apostles told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

               we didn't base our message on clever myths that we made up. Rather, we witnessed his majesty

               with our own eyes. … we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt.

               You're doing well by paying attention to their words. Continue to pay attention as you would to

               a light that shines in a dark place as you wait for day to come and the morning star to rise in

               your hearts. First, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one's own

               interpretation. No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy

               Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.

  I begin with a cautionary note: When serious about studying God’s Word, and diligently doing so, do not leapfrog over the basic. Doing so complicates and leaves one completely lacking as would be so if not understanding 2x2=4 et al and attempting to do more advanced math.

Jehovah God is the Author of the Bible. Over approximately 1600 years a number of men were his chosen scribes penning 66 books containing His message to mankind.

  If we can’t accept this point as fact then we do not trusting Him as Sovereign Creator and Sustainer. Not trusting Him as Ultimate Sovereign Superior establishing and preserving what He wills; we then are in selective Jeffersonian manner interpreting and relating to God’s Word from self, not self below Him.

  How we answer the question “Am I relating The Word to my life, or my life to The Word?” reveals all about trust issue.

  Another helpful way to understand this is answering “Do I see life through the lens of God’s Word . . . or do I see God’s Word through the lens of my life?”

  If our answers reflect that we don’t view God as Omnipotent (ultimately absolutely all-powerful), Omniscient (ultimately absolutely all-knowing), Omnipresent (ultimately absolutely present) . . . we don’t just pick and choose from His Word cafeteria –style, we miss all He has for us. (Mt.13:58; Heb.3:12-19)    EBB4