Uuderstanding the WORD

Jesus Christ is still the Only Hope for the world. For all people in particular.              3-22-2015 dd

There is no other answer for mankind, except to be born again from above, to be washed from sin, by full faith in the sinless blood of Jesus. To believe ON the Son of God is eternal life, to know Him (John 17:3)

How to Read, Study, understand the BIBLE

Make no mistake about, the Bible, a proper understanding of, is the most important thing in life itself for mankind. If you are able to really hear and understand what you hear, and read, you are blessed. (Rev 1)

But many people are ignorant about the Bible, its history, its richness, its message.

Only those who fear the Bible - refuse to read it and obey it.

Only those seeking to avoid personal responsibility seek to discredit its claims against their soul.

Because it unveils man's estate- fallen, guilty before God.

Pride of man does not want to hear this.

Better to hear and humble self now that to wait til later,

when every knee SHALL bow- but force acknowledging Christ.

This is a book, a personal love letter from God. But its also a warning.

A dire warning to all who ignore God's grace.

It reveals the cross- God's master stroke of wisdom. The cross- God's wrath against sin. The cross- the only way of salvation. The cross- the place of crisis for man. The cross- you either mock it- or see yourself up there- tied together with Christ. Bound to Him eternally through loves strong chord. Crucified WITH HIM- against sin.

You agree with God. Buried with Him into DEATH- you agree with God. But also raised with HIM to walk in newness of life. There can be no new life without a dying WITH CHRIST. Dying to sin- Dying to the OLD

LIFE. Corrupt to the core. Hell-deserving. Plucked up by the roots.  

God's WORD; its BREAD, its MILK, its MEAT

The message of eternal life is not complicated. Paul talked about the simplicity of the faith. Jesus thanked God that these things were revealed to babes. You don't have to specialized in theology to get to heaven, its knee-ology and child-like faith that gets the job done.  They say some things are better felt than telt, if you know what I mean.  Hebr 6:1 talks about the first principles of faith, understanding the WORD.

The Bible was written by inspiration, by 40 people over 1600 years from every occupation and personality.

It claims to be inspired and proves to be inspired. Though written by different people it is remarkable in its single message. The awesome responsibility of sinful men to turn around and receive the salvation provided by a merciful Creator.

The Bible is a progressive revelation to man. By this we mean that each successive generation of people could see more clearly the playing out of the plan of God for mankind. For example, we see Job's trials in a different light than he did in them. We look back at Israel's captivity and deliverance clearer than those as they lived it.

The Bible has history, poetry, songs, doctrine, genealogies recorded, etc. Its divided into 2 parts as we use it, but really we see more parts there. Dispensations are time periods of God's probationary testing of free moral agents, to help them learn obedience by what they experience and have revealed to them. Psalms says before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept Thy WORD. (Ps 119:67;  See also- 1 Pe 5:10)

Just as Philip in Acts asked a man on a chariot if he understood what he was reading, he replied- how can except someone explain it to me? So we too need a bit of explanation. Thank God people before us diligently studied the Bible and made many notes for us to learn. There is a vast wealth of information about what it means.

Its God's message to men. He explains what happened to mankind. The entrance of sin into man's world by Adam was the worst thing to happen. (Romans 5:12) We are now reaping the results. But there will be a day coming in which its described as a New World wherein dwells righteousness. (2 Pe 3:13) Righteousness lost and found is the theme of the Bible. God's intervention to lead men away from evil, sin, rebellion, and to create in them a new pure heart is what the Bible is all about.   Sin brought death. Death is separation from God and Life. Christ, the Innocent died to confer upon those who accept it, eternal life, and righteousness. (Romans 5:17) (John 5:24) 1 John 5:13-15)

We must approach it as any other book, and as no other Book.  The Bible is not boring, because it is alive. The Holy Spirit backs up the testimony of the WORD. He's present to glorify the things of Christ, make them real. Also John 16:8. If you seek God from a true and contrite heart humbly, you will find Him. He will lead you and guide you in the affairs of life.

Wisdom? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Rules of scriptural interpretation include these:  Take the WORD as literal as possible. When figurative language is used look for it to explain itself! (As in Daniel's image) . When Jesus called Herod a fox, we understand it was figurative. The parables of Jesus as not to be over-spiritualized just to get a new revelation. The ten virgins only means be prepared, that's it.

The gospels were written with a particular audience in mind. Matthew- to the JEWS, Christ King of the JEWS. Mark's narrative from Peter- Jesus, Tireless Servant of God and Man, Luke- Jesus, True Son of Man, JOHN- Jesus, Son of God,  God revealed in the flesh, God incarnate.

Value of the WORD: what it can do

It is alive, living, vital- Heb. 4:12, it opens the eyes, gives light to the soul!

Ps 119:130- and understanding to the simple. 1 Cor 1. 

Emphasizes its appeal to / meaning for the soul of man- John 6:60

Makes thee wise unto salvation- 2 Tim 3:15

               John 17:3- Have you had an encounter with Christ that has been life-changing?

               Titus 2:12- Have you experienced the grace of GOD in such a way that is life-altering?

               If not - your eternal soul is in extreme danger! Mark 8:36-37

Keeps one from sin- Psalm 119:7-9

The washing and CLEANSING of the WORD - Eph 5:26

Brings great peace and protection from stumbling away - Psalm 119:165

The fire shut up in the bones- it brings! Jer. 20:9

The joy and great rejoicing it brings- Jer. 15:16

Ways to study the scriptures:

Doctrinally - 2 Tim 3:16

Dispensation-ally- Eph 1:10, 3:2

Devotionally- Psalm 23

Dynamically- Acts 1:8

Ways NOT to apply approach the WORD

A sword fight with a brother or sister. 2 Cor 4:2

Foolishly, in unbelief- Luke 24:25

In human, prideful ways- 1 Cor 1

With closed ears- Prov 28:9

With closed heart- Matt 13:15; 1 Cor 2

As a scoffer or mocker- 2 Pe 3:3

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We Read and Study the WORD- For It Reveals the Character and Nature of God

When we speak of the character and nature of God- this is very important. Some people nowadays impugn the LORD. They see a different God in the OT than the NT and call it a contradiction.

The un-saved cannot receive spiritual things! 1 Cor 2. they cannot grasp God fully. They can receive the gospel. They cannot understand the greater things of God. In darkness they will stumble. John 3:19

If you understand God's revelation to man- as progressive, you can see it better. I see God in the OT as trying to preserve a natural people, undefiled so that the Messiah, Redeemer can be born.

Why does God seem so hard in the OT?  He hates sin and what it does to man. The nations that were occupying the Promised land, had heard of the miracles God did in Egypt. They were afraid of the people of Israel. They could have left the land. They refused and were kicked out by force. One time bees went in and drove the people out.

We have accounts of people like Rahab the harlot, who sided with Israel, and were spared. God had said the land was filled with blood. The people there made their children pass through the fire. God hated this.

Man has failed in every dispensation under best of circumstances. He proves that human flesh wars against the perfect life of God.  Instead of blaming God, try humbling ourselves before HIM! Hebr 11:6, man's pride is the problem. He refuses to humble himself and must suffer the consequences. Leaving LIFE - you get DEATH. Drawing away from perfection- you get miserable existence. Its our choice!

The God of the OT is not a different personality than of today. We are in a different dispensation- NOT LAW.

Christ died and rose- the hope of all mankind. The fruits of Christianity- wherever the true gospel has gone- the people have been blessed! There is a country in the Pacific- that suffered for years- the churches banded together prayed for revival. And the nation was healed. The land saw miraculous healing. The people prospered every way.

I heard of a time in Africa- where the people repented, prayed, and a storm came over- and filled their water reservoir-! They got blessed! I see in the OT when Israel obeyed God- the kingdom did well, when they forgot God- they suffered. This is a simple principle of the WORD.

God hasn't changed- men are the ones who drift away for God! And suffer the consequences! There is a law of nature - of sowing and reaping.

GOD is KIND, God is merciful and just to all! Luke 6, Exodus 34:5-7

GOD is JUST- He will call all beings, creation into a final judgment - men are accountable Heb 9:27

GOD is UNCHANGEABLE- His traits, and qualities, character, plans,  and purposes. Mal 3:6

GOD is SUPREME- there is no one higher, or better! the MOST HIGH GOD

GOD is MERCIFUL- allowing men to repent, turn around, be converted. Act 17- repentance - a command!

GOD is TRUE- He cannot fail to keep His WORD to us. Every promise is true! Find one and make it yours!

He cannot deny Himself! His WORD has absolute integrity!

Millions have put their trust in Him- and have never been disappointed.