The LIVING WORD OF GOD....nothing less.....nothing else
The Living Word is clear in and of itself. It has purpose and states that purpose for the Reader, the Follower of Christ, to learn, to be corrected, to know how then we ought to live, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16. Also, the Holy Spirit is given to Christ-Followers as our Teacher, One who lives within us, so that we don't need anyone to teach us what it true. For the Spirit teaches us everything we need to know. (I John 1:26-27)
What amazes me is that humans, then, take it upon themselves to 'help out' the Holy Spirit in further clarifying what the Living Word says and also why the Living Word says what it says. How? By what we refer to as "footnotes"; as Intros to paragraphs in the text, as 'commentary.' Well intentioned; yes! Needed? Doubtful.
Would a couple of examples of this humanitarian over-stepping help clarify?
1. What humans refer to as "The Lord's Prayer" is clearly stated AS A RESPONSE to the disciples question, "Lord, teach us to pray!" Luke 11:1 So, IN CONTEXT of the Living Word, this very familiar and often quoted prayer is truly a Disciples' Sampler Prayer. The actual Lord's Prayer, or prayer of our Lord, is documented for us in John 17.
2."The Feeding of the 5,000" subtitled so in John 6 is inaccurate right off the bat. How do we know? The context! John 6:10 states, "The men alone numbered about 5,000." Since when don't women and children count? Since never, in God's eyes!! And, in actuality, the emphasis of this passage is not on the 'feeding' as much as on the test Jesus was administrating to one of His disciples!! (Check out the context in John 6!)
3. "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" Luke 15:11 states why Jesus gave this story. "To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story." So, what point was Jesus illustrating? The answer is given in Luke 15:1 "Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that HE WAS ASSOCIATING WITH SUCH SINFUL PEOPLE- even eating with them!" So, to instruct the Pharisees and teachers of religious law Jesus gave them three stories, this being the third of the three. The heart of the parable? THE FATHER'S Mercy and GRACE on His own; NOT on one of the 'sons!"
"Why make such a big deal about this, Ele" you may ask. Well, friends, we're holding the Living Word in our hands, Jesus "shrunk down" to the written page! Who are we to slice and dice Him into paragraphs, commentaries and bold print headlines? How dare we!! Ought not our posture be one of humble awe, trembling a bit as we enter into the Classroom of One with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher? Reduce the Living Word of God to anything less that who Jesus IS? May it never be!
May we choose, daily, to sit at His feet with the disciples of old, to fill ourselves on the Living Bread of Life, to drink to the full the Living Water, to interact with our Eternal Teacher....and so then, we will be taught how then to live.
Sitting only at His feet,
Ele
posted by Transforming Together @ 2:47 PM
4 Comments:
I just thought you might like to know that this blog was so very timely. Here's what was happening in my life just prior to you posting this piece:
I had been emailing back and forth with a very dear friend. I knew for years already that she read the bible and only the bible; she refused to read any books about the bible. I looked on her as if she was alien; not reading books was so foreign to me. I am a avid reader. I read all the good books. All the books written by godly men of old. All the great Christian classics. She would not read any of it. She clung to the Word and she was leaps and bounds ahead of me spiritually.
Once in a while she would hint to me why she was learning and growing. But I did not have ears to hear because I was so enjoying my lifestyle of read, read, read. The day you posted this article she and I had been studying the Bible together and we stumbled across a difficult passage. I suggested she look at the commentaries or bible study helps. She said NO, in a horrified way. She was repulsed at the idea. I knew my friend so I just laughed but what she said made a terrific impression on me.
That night I was so convicted…..(more things lead up to it that I will spare boring you with)……to go straight to God’s word and let the Spirit speak for Himself that I vowed to put away all books about the bible except the bible for 3 whole months. (I remembered reading about that in your book, Transforming Together, which I am reading for the 3rd time) Then the next morning I saw that you had posted these words about the LIVING WORD, nothing less, nothing else. I promptly emailed my friend and let her read your words and we agreed with you…..together.
Anyway, I have been going through the book of John…… slowly. I no longer use the word ‘study’ because for me to study would mean that I have to be perfect and become overwhelmed because I wasn’t doing it just right. Besides, studying for me didn’t put me into the BEING with Jesus. It puts me above…..kind of like I was only getting a bird’s eye view……..very NOT personal.. I read aloud a short passage…..very short and then I meditate on it throughout the day. Then next day I write the whole passage out…..this is very helpful for me……..and then I jot down everything that the Spirit has brought to my mind. I’ll go back to my ‘ journal of jottings’ each time the Spirit shows me something else during the day. (I keep the journal out on the table with my Bible open to the portion of Scripture I am meditating on) Since being in the Word and only the Word Jesus is becoming REAL to me
I thank God for my friend who patiently waited for me to ‘get’ it and for you for making it clearer.
Yes, yes and yes!! Your friend and you have chosen BEST...Jesus Himself!! Remember, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!! How do we know? John 1:1!!! You are entering into what the Living Word calls "the Spirit filled life"...ie. your Being full of HIS Spirit, teaching,guiding, comforting, counseling....which is the NORMAL, REASONABLE life of a Christ-Follower. We have become so accustomed to "sub-par' as 'normal' when it comes to our walk w/Jesus...MAY IT NOT BE SO!!! Jesus desires that we EACH live WITH the Sprit, interacting w/the Spirit, being FULL of the Living Spirit of God. Keep at it...ONLY Jesus, ONLY HIS WORD!!! YES!
I so appreciate it when you say something and than ask the question: HOW DO WE KNOW? and than you give me references from the Word. I always look them up if I don't know off hand what it says but I DO know what John 1:1 says. I memorized the first 18 verses of John as a kid and I still know them...only now I am learning to know them in my heart, not only my heart! Praise God for the work He is doing in my life.
My dear friend would have been a good mentor for me if only she would have accepted. But she refused (she feels so unworthy!)and so I am thankful to you for coming alongside me and sharing with me what you have learned.
Jesus is aware of Who He is being in the life of your friend. What a deep friendship may be forged between the two of you...in HIS name, for HIS glory...and your mutual good. For right now, learn to lean heavily on Jesus,Tracy. It's the only way to stand up straight...to be firm in Him!
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