The Holy Scripture—NOT “a matter of one’s interpretation”
A few days ago, my older sister sent me a funny sign, a pun, a play on words. Now I have two sisters, and truly, either sister could have shared this sign with me, as we all three can find similar statements funny at the same time. We, all three of us, enjoy laughing and often find ourselves sharing time together enjoying the therapeutic release that comes with laughter.
So, when my older sister sent me this sign: “I’m reading a book about school truancy—by Marcus Absent,” Immediately I saw this pun, this play on words and chuckled. Most definitely, a student who misses so much school he becomes truant, who constantly must be “marked” absent, cannot ever become “educated” about the importance of attending school—if he misses school so often and is constantly marked absent.
Aside from the pun found within this sign, the same application can be applied to the daily studying of the Bible; however, someone may ask: How can the Bible become part of your life?
Truthfully, this is the topic for my Thursday young women mentoring group. Maybe this is why it’s deeply ingrained in me as I search for the—HOW & WHY the believers in God must study God’s Word.
In the apostle Peter’s second letter written “to those who received a faith of the same kind as ours,” we read and quickly learn in whom the readers have believed. “by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 1 NASB). With that thought firmly etched in our minds, we then see HOW we know the Bible has the authority of God.
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales
(The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 16-18 NASB)
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For when He received honor and glory from God the Father,
such an utterance of this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory,
“This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased;
listen to Him!”—
[a direct quote from The Gospel According to Matthew 17: 5]
and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven
when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”
Today, so many (Christians and non-Christians) keep the Scriptures closed, not wishing to daily feast upon the Word of God. Now, for an unbeliever, this can be understood, almost expected, but for a believer, for a Christian, forgetting to open the Bible daily, failing to glean the truth God would have for them to learn remains a tragedy. Peter wrote, telling us how the apostles of Jesus Christ were there with Him (with Jesus), and they were eyewitnesses.
- Why would Christians not desire to know every word that proceeded from the mouth of God?
- Why would believers not want to feast daily on the “bread” of heaven?
- Why would the children of God desire to walk through their days, famished and underfed on the Word of God, when instead, they could be FULLY FED & NOURISHED BY GOD?
As our small group prepares to meet next Thursday, these are exactly the questions we will seek to discuss and answer. Additionally, we will focus on ways to study the Bible, ways that help God’s children grow spiritually from what they are daily reading within His Holy Word.
Truly, we—KNOW & BELIEVE—The Holy Scripture is NOT “a matter of one’s interpretation” but the prophetic word spoken to men by God’s Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us so!
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure,
(The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 19-21 NASB)
to which you do well to pay attention
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But know this first of all,
that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,
but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
- Truly, if we are children of God, we are to be DAILY PRESENT WITH GOD & NOT TRUANT.
- Most assuredly, if we have received God’s gift of salvation, we are to NOT allow ourselves to be MARKED ABSENT when it comes to our daily study of God’s Word.
Yes, if we are seeking to live as obedient children, then WE MUST BE OPENING OUR BIBLE,
SO WE CAN KNOW GOD.
- Father God wants to speak with us, so what are we waiting for?
- The Lord desires that we hear Him speak, so are we listening?
- Our heavenly Father wishes us to become more like Christ Jesus, so are we daily discovering Him?
May we make the Bible part of our lives—BEGINNING TODAY!