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Lenten Devotion

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March 4, 2021

All Day

Thoroughly Equipped

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

 

God has given us the most amazing handbook for life – his living Word. And he has not left us with just the handbook, but he has also provided each believer with the indwelling Holy Spirit. With these two supernatural tools, we can be equipped, not only partially (which is how I feel after computer software training), but thoroughly for every good work. However, we need to be careful about how we study the Bible. Sounds a bit funny to say it that way, but hear me out...

First of all, we all know that the Bible is not an “easy read.” Deep theological issues are not always presented in a “read it and do it” form. Some things may even seem to contradict themselves if not carefully placed within the entire Scripture. Old Testament information is deepened by the New Testament (and vice versa) and God’s character is best understood in light of the whole Bible.

Bible verses need to be looked at in context and an understanding of the wording in its original language is helpful. I think of one word which was confusing to me when I first began studying the Bible. Sounds a bit funny to say it that way, but hear me out...

First of all, we all know that the Bible is not an “easy read.” Deep theological issues are not always presented in a “read it and do it” form. Some things may even seem to contradict themselves if not carefully placed within the entire Scripture. Old Testament information is deepened by the New Testament (and vice versa) and God’s character is best understood in light of the whole Bible.

Bible verses need to be looked at in context and an understanding of the wording in its original language is helpful. I think of one word which was confusing to me when I first began studying the Bible ─ that God is a “jealous” God. In English, there is only one word to translate “jealous,” but Thai has two ─ one of the words means the kind of jealous envy that we humans experience, but the other word is used for how God feels about us. So, Thai has an advantage over English in this case.

In-depth Bible study is necessary. Not only can the translation or wording be challenging, but we all bring our own personal bias to what we read. Therefore, it is important to study the Scripture in community. One author encourages us to study it with people outside of our own culture since all cultures are fallen and have biases as well! Therefore, let us be careful, not only that we spend concentrated time every day studying the Bible by ourselves, but let us be diligent about how we study the Scriptures. Let us ask God to help us take off our personal and societal blinders as well as any blinders we may have from previous teachings since all humans have bias. May we more deeply understand God’s true revelation of himself to us.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, you know what each of us needs to mature in our faith and become more like Jesus. Help us to study your Word with a teachable spirit so we can take off our personal and societal blinders. Thank you for IPC, a multi-cultural community that enables us to challenge our biases in ways other communities might not. May we be passionately dedicated to what is in your Word so that we hear directly from you, even if the truth hurts. Give us courage, Lord!

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