In these posts we have been looking at how we can deal with difficult issues – hard stuff. So far we have said that we need to:
But that is not all. Further we have to decide if we are going to live and engage with the world in a manner consistent with that proper view of the Bible. That step is a subset of the last one. We have to commit to apply or incorporate what we learn in our examination of the Bible to our thinking and behavior.
That may seem obvious. However, there are many who know much about the Bible whose behavior does not align with what they “know”. In a sense they do not practice what they proclaim.
Romans 12:1 – 2 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this does it not? We are not to be conformed to the norms of the world but we are to be transformed. Paul specifically speaks to the way we think. If it is the case that the Bible is what it says it is, the revealed, inspired, Word of God, then the only way I know of to align my thought more closely with God is to study and apply His Word. The entirety of Psalm 119 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this.
However changing our thinking is not enough. We are also to have the Word of God change our behavior. James speaks to this in James 1:22 – 26 (here @ Bible Gateway). We are to not just be those who hear or read the Word, rather we are to do the Word, apply it, follow it, and do what it says. Otherwise, to echo James’, our reading, studying, or listening to others talk about the Word is worthless.
Peter reinforces this in 2 Peter 1:2 – 10 (here @ Bible Gateway). He tells us first that we have been granted all that we need for life and godliness in the Word – which here he refers to as “His precious and magnificent promises”. Which Peter emphasizes by explaining that the purpose of His Word is so that we can become partakers of His nature. Spend some time considering Peter’s words here. It is an overwhelming statement. Then Peter goes into some detail on how to accomplish partaking in 5 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway).
When we come to the Word, before we can deal with difficult passages well, we have to have committed to do what we find. The Lord did not give us His Word to intrigue or interest us, or to make us smarter; He gave it to change us, to transform us more closely to His nature.
- Be willing to question what you believe
- Have a proper view of the Bible
- Commit to the authority of the Bible
That may seem obvious. However, there are many who know much about the Bible whose behavior does not align with what they “know”. In a sense they do not practice what they proclaim.
Romans 12:1 – 2 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this does it not? We are not to be conformed to the norms of the world but we are to be transformed. Paul specifically speaks to the way we think. If it is the case that the Bible is what it says it is, the revealed, inspired, Word of God, then the only way I know of to align my thought more closely with God is to study and apply His Word. The entirety of Psalm 119 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this.
However changing our thinking is not enough. We are also to have the Word of God change our behavior. James speaks to this in James 1:22 – 26 (here @ Bible Gateway). We are to not just be those who hear or read the Word, rather we are to do the Word, apply it, follow it, and do what it says. Otherwise, to echo James’, our reading, studying, or listening to others talk about the Word is worthless.
Peter reinforces this in 2 Peter 1:2 – 10 (here @ Bible Gateway). He tells us first that we have been granted all that we need for life and godliness in the Word – which here he refers to as “His precious and magnificent promises”. Which Peter emphasizes by explaining that the purpose of His Word is so that we can become partakers of His nature. Spend some time considering Peter’s words here. It is an overwhelming statement. Then Peter goes into some detail on how to accomplish partaking in 5 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway).
When we come to the Word, before we can deal with difficult passages well, we have to have committed to do what we find. The Lord did not give us His Word to intrigue or interest us, or to make us smarter; He gave it to change us, to transform us more closely to His nature.
Even in realm of Biblical truth revealing what we should/should not do it's no easy task as it usually dealing with elements of our fallen sin natures. I know I should not speak or act in anger (Eph. 4:26) but there are too many times it just erupts with some sort of mess to clean up after. So learning to rely on the strength of the Spirit is an ongoing practice. I also find the more I turn to Him and make even small steps He is ready to help. And each step seems to show me there is more to work on. This matter of practical sanctification I see will go on until this old man is laid in it's grave.
ReplyDeleteYep. The problem is there are a great number of people who are satisfied with knowledge about rather than application of. Knowers not Doers. Or as James says hearers and not doers. I think it is partially if not fully a function of the way churches have evolved into lecture centers rather than equipping centers Ephesians 4:11 - 16. The leaders are seemingly content to share what they know rather than equip others to learn what they know.
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