My current bible study with the InterVarsity ministry group is becoming such a blessing to me. Meeting with fellow believers to study the scripture is a gift. Even if we don't always agree, the discussion helps to grow in the Lord.
We follow the method of inductive bible study... We make observations, ask questions, search the scriptures for answers, and then try to apply what we have learned. This last step always seems to be the most tricky.
It is so easy while reading God's word to become self-focused, self-motivated, self-indulging. We must always remind ourselves the reason of our existence. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." It is so easy to read the bible as a how-to book - a simple morality lesson. But, doesn't the gospel come first? Isn't the fact that Jesus lived a perfect life, died for the elect, and rose again -- All to bring worshipers to the feet of God -- our first lesson? The WWJD trap is always looming. The tendency to ask "What would Jesus do" in my situation... The inward and relative question. Rather than looking to the scriptures and reading -- WDJD -- What DID Jesus do. However, the application of God's word is very important. God tells us that we should bear fruit... As James reminds us, "Faith without works is dead." Where can we learn how to live rightly? The Bible. But can we live rightly without first recognizing the purpose of the scriptures?
I am always worried about the application -- that I'll only see myself, rather than the big picture -- I'll use the scripture as a "life for dummies", instead of the inspired Word of God. Does anyone else struggle with this?
No comments:
Post a Comment