Daily I come across people who refer to the “good book”, they use it for so many things but not as their ultimate authority. The average American household has 3 Bibles in there possession, yet we don’t really know how to use them. This really goes for those who claim Christ as their saviour, we are the worst offenders by far. Over and over I have had conversations and pointed to the truth found in God’s word and the response is “I know, I know but ___________”. I am not pointing the finger solely at you but myself as well, so I wanted to look at five [common] ways we treat the Bible instead of our ultimate authority.
Hors d’oeuvres: Many people treat the Bible as a hors d’oeuvres tray. I recently was at a event for a friend of mine and she had hors d’oeuvres on the table. It was an assortment of cookies and I was elated, shortbread, coconut, upscale sandwich cookies, etc… man they were great. So if you know me I have this weird thing where I have eat most things in sets of 2 and I was looking over the cookie picking them out 2 by 2 with a childlike excitement, “I want this one, and this one, but not these….” or, “I really like this part in Philippians 4 about doing all things in Christ but I really don’t like this part about being crucified with Christ.” This is how a lot of people treat the Bible, like an hors d’oeuvres tray, remember the Bible is not your authority of you pick and choose what parts you like.
Hobbies: I have a few friend that have hobbies and they are interesting to say the least, sometimes they actually turn into careers. When I spend time with those friends I tend to get sucked into that activity with them (whether I like it or not). What happens is we get all fired up about said hobby and in a few years its gone and the only way you remember it is when you move and come across those old materials. Many people treat the Bible this way we say “Man there was a time in my life when I was so fired up about the Bible. I was digging into it and I saw things I never saw before, it was so satisfying to me and then somewhere along the line I just stopped using it. I mean I kept carrying it around…” Many of us treat the Bible like this.
Rental Car Insurance: Question: How many of you that read this blog have ever bought the rental car insurance? If you have, really? Here is my rational for NEVER buying it. I’m already being [price] gouged for the rental of this car and now they want me to spend the extra $40 per day to protect me from something that hasn’t happened in years. I mean what are the chances that I have an accident today? No seriously? A lot of people treat the Bible the same way. We say “What are the chances that I’m really going to need that thing today? I guess technically I should get up and spend some time in God’s word but I think I’ll just get some coffee and rush out the door.” We have this view because we look at the Bible as technically needed (or optional) but we think that chances are we will be alright without it.
Seat-belt: I have to admit something, I where a seat-belt NOT always because I want to. What about you? I consistently where it for 3 reasons:
- The reminder bell in my car won’t shut off unless I where it (if I were skilled enough I might actually uninstall it)
- The reminder light just keeps flashing, and flashing, and flashing, and flashing, and flashing…
- Finally, the police. They are there to protect and serve (me tickets if i don’t click it).
I mean seriously, I press my clothes and look all nice and this stupid thing wrinkles everything! ARGH! Many of us treat the Bible the same way. We say “I read the Bible because its the Law, I have to read it because I can’t get the flashing and dinging (or guilt) to stop until I do. So in order to silence the alarm everyday I spend a few minutes in there just to satisfy my guilt.”
Algebraic Equation or x = [(√4ac+b²) – b]/2a: Ok we are all grown up here right (physically at least). When is the last time you actually used this equation in your daily life. We all had to study Algebra in High school and some of us in college and many of us (not all) do not use it today. It seemed like a waste of time then and it seems like a waste of time now. Since leaving the Information systems field I have not once had a use for any of these formulas and many of us look at the Bible in that same light. “It’s really complicated and I guess I’m supposed to need it sometime in the future. They also say it’s good for my mind but I have never really figured out what that has to do with my life.”
Listen, if you view as:
- Hors d’oeuvres tray: Something to pick out what you like and dislike
- Hobbies: Something to do for a while and then eventually put aside
- Algebraic Equation: Something so complicated and convoluted that I’ll never use it again.
- Seat-belt: Something I have to do (guilt)
- Rental Car Insurance: Something I don’t really need so I’ll chance it
Then today is a great day to come back to the Bible itself. Come back to God’s word being the priority in your life and let it be your [sole] authority. Is God’s word your authority?