Simplisticly, I see the bible as a letter to me from God. Then inside and throughout the scriptures is a picture of God personified -- Who is Jesus the Christ, Himself...Who IS the walking, talking Word of God.
Therefore, when I read scripture, I personally do so with a realization that the words in the bible;
#1 are alive and have power.
#2, have an actual Person profiled in scripture Who IS the words I am reading, which means I can go and see how He lived out those words.
#3 which means I have more then just words on a page that tell me how to live out those words; I also have a perfect, visible example of how to live out scripture, to follow.
#4 I also have This Person's real and tangible Spirit to give me the power to carry-out the words in scripture as well.
So, when I go into my prayer closet, with bible in hand, I go with an open and teachable heart. I go in and "sit on my Father's lap" and He tells me things about Himself...which I will never stop learning about. Then things I need to know about myself...because He even knows me more...much more...then I know myself. He even knows how many hairs I have on my head! Ps. 139
One thing I have learned to do when on His lap, is to ask Him to *keep on, keeping me* teachable...as I used to (for the 1st half of my faith journey starting in '77) think at times that I had reached the peak of all I needed to learn. That, yes, there were still many minor things to learn...like about ancient bible history, about how to witness better to my relatives perhaps and etc, etc. However, when it came down to the majority of what and how a Christian should live, I thought I was there already.
Which meant that when I came to scripture that I either heard being understood differently from what I already believed...or that I just didn't understand, then I would either argue my view or dismiss it all together.
Until God began teaching me and putting me in situations where I had to admit that I had NOT reached the peak yet. Well, stubborn and short-sighted as I was I had to go through this a number of times!
So, now it is my regular practice to bring every viewpoint that I embrace, to God. I have learned to never say I am even near the peak...and I don't NEED to stop and ask for directions...which is actually a wonderful way (I have found anyway) to be on a journey....because being stubborn only gets one lost.
There are definitely specific viewpoints I hold and hold strongly about specific scriptures....but never strong enough to not allow God to pluck them from my hand.
To be cont'd......
Therefore, when I read scripture, I personally do so with a realization that the words in the bible;
#1 are alive and have power.
#2, have an actual Person profiled in scripture Who IS the words I am reading, which means I can go and see how He lived out those words.
#3 which means I have more then just words on a page that tell me how to live out those words; I also have a perfect, visible example of how to live out scripture, to follow.
#4 I also have This Person's real and tangible Spirit to give me the power to carry-out the words in scripture as well.
So, when I go into my prayer closet, with bible in hand, I go with an open and teachable heart. I go in and "sit on my Father's lap" and He tells me things about Himself...which I will never stop learning about. Then things I need to know about myself...because He even knows me more...much more...then I know myself. He even knows how many hairs I have on my head! Ps. 139
One thing I have learned to do when on His lap, is to ask Him to *keep on, keeping me* teachable...as I used to (for the 1st half of my faith journey starting in '77) think at times that I had reached the peak of all I needed to learn. That, yes, there were still many minor things to learn...like about ancient bible history, about how to witness better to my relatives perhaps and etc, etc. However, when it came down to the majority of what and how a Christian should live, I thought I was there already.
Which meant that when I came to scripture that I either heard being understood differently from what I already believed...or that I just didn't understand, then I would either argue my view or dismiss it all together.
Until God began teaching me and putting me in situations where I had to admit that I had NOT reached the peak yet. Well, stubborn and short-sighted as I was I had to go through this a number of times!
So, now it is my regular practice to bring every viewpoint that I embrace, to God. I have learned to never say I am even near the peak...and I don't NEED to stop and ask for directions...which is actually a wonderful way (I have found anyway) to be on a journey....because being stubborn only gets one lost.
There are definitely specific viewpoints I hold and hold strongly about specific scriptures....but never strong enough to not allow God to pluck them from my hand.
To be cont'd......
