The Bible - How to interpret it Part 2

I heard someone said once : “A Bible that is falling apart, usually belong to someone that isn’t.” the more you get into the Word to obey it, the more your life will shine, even in the middle of trouble, you will experience God’s presence in your life.

Continuing with our current theme, “How to Interpret the Bible,” let’s look at a couple of guidelines that will help us to properly understand and interpret what the Scripture says:

1. Understand who it was written for: Of course, the entire Bible profits everyone, as we read in 2nd Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” But the Bible deals with 3 specific groups of people: “The Jews, The Gentiles, and Christ’s Church.” Most of the Old Testament deals with the history of Israel as a nation, and to apply to us Scripture that was specific for them, would be to misinterpret the Bible. We can use what happened to them as example and admonition, as we read in 1st Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” but we must not apply commandments and promises directed to them as if they were for the Church too.


2. Watch for the language style: In the Bible we find 3 types of styles: “Symbolic, figurative and literal.” The way to interpret the symbolic text is to look at the context. Sometimes is also explained in another passage. For example, in Revelations 1:16, when the apostle John was in Patmos, he was given a vision where he saw the Lord and it says that “In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword…” The interpretation of the seven stars is given a couple of verses ahead: Revelations 1:20 says "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, … the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” Regarding the “sharp two-edged sword” coming out of His mouth, in Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” So, we see that the right interpretation is given somewhere else. The figurative language is interpreted also by reading the context. For example: expressions such as “let the dead, bury the dead…” or “do not harden your heart” are explained somewhere else in the Bible by the context. The literal kind, we need to let the text say what it says without spiritualizing it.

These are just a couple of rules of interpretation that will help us get the most out of what we read. Many false religions, cults and “movements” have their origin traced to misinterpreting, misapplying or dislocating Scripture. We read in Titus 1:9 that Paul instructed Titus to “Exhort in sound doctrine.” If a surgeon doctor studies many hours with the purpose of saving a life and not making a mistake in the operation room, how much more those of us Christians should study the Scriptures in a correct manner for the spiritual benefit of many.

More to come…

The Bible - How to interpret it Part 1

I remember one time, on our way to Orlando, reading a billboard that said “HAVE YOU READ MY BOOK? THERE WILL BE A TEST.” - God. Wow! what an awesome truth: God has spoken! and not just a few words, but "a Book"! How amazing is that? So, how should we approach the Scriptures?

1. With Humility. The Bible says that “…knowledge puffs up.” 1st Corinthians 8:1. Pride, which is the opposite of humility, has devastating consequences. It says in James 4:6 that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” When we come to the Scriptures, we need to realize that it is the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe who is speaking. It is a great privilege (no one deserves it) to be able to read and understand His Word. So, if we approach it with a humble heart, He will give you the grace to understand it, and to be blessed by it.
   


2. Read it to obey it. Approach the Bible with the purpose in your heart that you will do what He says. The more you obey it, the more God will reveal it to you. If you read “do not lie” then, don’t lie; if you read “forgive one another” then forgive. Don’t jump into the big doctrines of the Bible, if you are not able to keep the simple commandments. James 1:22 puts it this way: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Doctors go to school to learn and practice medicine, to cure illnesses and save lives; the same way, Christians read the Bible, not just to get knowledge, but with the purpose of obeying it, to put it into practice.

The Bible: GOD'S WORD! Don't take it for granted! Read it! Put it into practice! It will change your life! He will bless your life!

More to come…

THE BIBLE - A BOOK LIKE NO OTHER

The Bible is such a magnificent book. It is indeed “God’s Word.” Every time I study it, I stand amazed by it richness. I’m reminded of Paul words in Romans 11: 33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! "For who has known the mind of the lord? Or who has become his counselor?" "Or who has first given to him and it shall be repaid to him?" For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

Every word of the Bible is God breathed, not just when it says: “thus saith the Lord…” Even the comas and periods are there because God intended them to be there. 2nd Timothy 3:16 says: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” This verse refers to “all” Scripture, not just part of it. Jesus said in Matthew 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

There are 3 important words that we need to understand when considering the divine Word of God:

* Bible revelation: God reveals or discloses truth that otherwise men could not know. God has revealed all the truth that men need in the Bible. Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
* Bible inspiration: God imparted the exact words that He wanted written in His book to certain men through the Holy Spirit. 2nd Peter 1:21 “The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but they were guided by the Spirit of God.”
* Bible illumination: it is the work of the Holy Spirit, where He opens the believer’s spiritual understanding so that he/she can comprehend the Scriptures. John 16:13 says “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”

Do you want to know what’s in God’s mind? Are you ready to find out His amazing will for your life? Start today by opening His Book. Ask Him to illuminate your spiritual eyes through the Holy Spirit; you will discover amazing truth that will change your life.

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 7

So, how important is this mission? To put into perspective the importance of the role that we play, just consider the work of redemption. Think about what God sacrificed to save us. Imagine if you were a scientist and you discover the cure for cancer. You would immediately share it with the world to try to save as many as you could. Well, we have the cure for eternal separation from God, the cure for the spiritual death. John 8:24 says: “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Every second, people are dying without the hope of eternal life. If someone dies without believing in Jesus, that person will be eternally separated from God. These are Jesus’ Words, not mine.

Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We need to understand that without Jesus people are lost. We need to understand that there is a destroyer called Satan whose purpose in life is to kill. John 10:10 says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

There are noble causes in life, yes, a soldier puts his life in danger even to the point of death for patriotic reason; a doctor spends years of studies to help prevent and cure illnesses, but Christ’s disciples have the important mission of sharing the Gospel of eternal salvation.

YOU ARE NEAR!

He is near indeed!!! Enjoy His presence...

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 6

At this time, I believe it would be good to review what we have covered so far. We’ve said that:

* We were created to have a personal and intimate relation with God
* We were created to live for Him
* We were created to bring Him glory
* We were created to bring fruit
* God’s desire in the redemption of man’s soul

Today we will learn that He wants to use you and me to accomplish His redemptive plan. Imagine, the Great I AM, the Creator of the Universe, The King of kings and Lord of lords hand-picked you to include you and give you a mission that far surpasses all other missions in this world. There are very noble causes like being a doctor, or feeding the hungry, but these only reach the level of the human body. God has called us to participate in the greatest mission of all: the redemption of the human soul, the eternal salvation of people from a state of eternal separation from God in Hell. No cause is greater and more noble that this one. He has given us the great privilage and responsibility of the Great Commission.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said to His disciples: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." In Mark 16:15 Jesus says: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Then in Luke 24:46-48 He said: "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." And in John 17:18 He said: "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

A disciple of Christ will have fulfillment in life when he/she is accomplishing God’s mission of redemption. 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20 says: “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Don’t delay, these words are for you and me; let’s run with them; let’s put them into practice and may the Lord use you and me greatly to expand His kingdom!

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 5

Those that have read through the whole Bible can clearly see that after man’s fall and throughout the rest of history, God’s desire is the redemption of man’s soul. There are many passages in Scripture that point to this fact. The maximum demonstration of this truth is Jesus. God became flesh (John1:14) with the purpose of saving us. A central verse that explains this truth is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but has everlasting life.”

There are 2 other passages that are key for the understanding of God’s will and desire. 1st Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” And 2nd Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

This then bring us to the important point where we need to understand that in God’s desire and will, He planned to include you for His purposes. He wants to use you and me to accomplish His redemptive plan. We will expand this theme with more details in the following articles.

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 4

Now, there is another practical way that we can understand and participate in bringing glory to God, and it has to do with something that God commanded us to do. We were created to bring Him fruit. Jesus said in John 15:8 these word: "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” God created you and me to bring fruit, just as a plant grows to eventually become mature and naturally give fruit, so are we.

Now, God wants to see fruit in all areas of our lives, not only in our character, living a life full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, but also He wants us to participate in reaching others with the Good News of the gospel and seeing those lives grow in Him and for Him. This area of bringing fruit to God is where we will concentrate more and focus our attention.

In John 15:16 we read (Jesus talking): "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” We will discover the meaning of life, when we find ourselves involved in the very work that He left for us to do. Jesus wants you and me to experience abundant life. He said in John 10:10 that “He has come to give us life, and abundant life.” That abundant life is experienced when we are understand and live for the very purpose that He created us for.

In the next article, we will learn more about God’s deep desire and plan to carry out His desire, and how He wants us to be part of it.

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 3

So far we have said that:
• We were created to have a personal and intimate relationship with God
• We were created to live for Him

The Bible also teaches that we were created to glorify Him (to bring Him glory.)
1st Corinthians 10:31 says “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Now, that is a concept that seems a little abstract. What does it mean to glorify God? How do we glorify God? To put it into perspective, if I were to get the glory in something that I’ve accomplished, (let’s say that I’m a good chef and people really like my cooking) I would tell others that I’m a very creative person that likes to invent. I would say that I’m smart, intelligent, that I work hard, without the help of others. I will get all the credit, because I want people to focus on me. On the other hand, if I want to give God the glory, I would say that God gave me the talents, intelligence and abilities to cook well for His glory. I don’t get the credit; God does. The focus is not on me, but on God.

I’m reminded of a passage in Deuteronomy 8, where the Lord is warning the Israelites once they enter and prosper in the land of Canaan, not to forget Who brought them out of Egypt, Who provided for their needs when they couldn’t do it themselves in the wilderness, and Who gives the ability and power to prosper. The following verses are a key to understand what it means to give God the glory: “17 He (The Lord) did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.'18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the One who gives you power to be successful.” (NLT)

So, let’s bring Him honor through what we say, how we act, and how we think. Acknowledge Him in all you think and do. Make it known to others, point others to Him by giving Him the credit for whatever you say and do. To glorify God means we have a heart full of gratitude, for it is He who gives us all that we posses (material and immaterial.)

Worship the Lord as you watch this video!

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE - PART 2

In the last article regarding God’s will for our lives, I wrote that God created us so that we could enjoy a personal and intimate relationship with Him. The second reason that I want to share with you is that “God created us to live for Him.”

Colossians 1:16 says “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.” To live life to the fullest, to experience purpose and meaning, we need to realize that our lives are not ours to live selfishly for our own; we were created to live for Him. Until we come to grips with this truth, we will always live with disappointment, and we will not find meaning to life. We may spend many years in the pursue of money, or a professional career, or even family, or living sacrificially for a noble cause, but not of these pursues will satisfy our lives to the fullest. Don’t take me wrong, these are necessary in life, but they are not the ultimate reason for life.

Jesus said: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” Mark 8:35. Could it be that at the end of our lives, while pursuing and living for things other than God, we will realize that we wasted our lives? On the other hand, those that lived for Jesus will realize that they made the right decision by living for Him.

2nd Corinthians 5:15 says “and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

We only have one shot at life; don’t waste it; live your life all out for Jesus! You won’t regret it.

Happy New Year 2009!

2009 is here! New adventures begin, news goals, new resolutions, new dreams, new challenges... One thing is certain, whatever the New Year brings, if you are a disciple, God is with you! Emmanuel! His promises are true. God says "I am with you always." Matthew 28:20, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Not only is He with us, but He is for us. The Bible says "If God is for us, who can be against us?" He wants to see you succeed in whatever plans He has for you. Listen carefully to His guidance. Remember that God is always working and He wants you to join Him in what He is doing. Remember that He talks to us through His Word, through His Holy Spirit when we pray, through circumstances, and through the counsel of those wise Christians around us.

Be attentive to His voice; decide to obey Him. Our prayer for you is that you will have a Blessed New Year!