Truth is important, and while it is very important that you should never take a verse of the bible out of context (read the whole chapter/book to see what that verse really means); you should never just bind it so tightly to only that context and nothing more that you miss the faith-filled application to our lives today. The word of God will enlighten and confirm it self. The Holy Spirit still speaks today, via and in accordance to the written Word of God (the Bible).
One example each:
Scripture Taken Out of Context:
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" in context speaks having contentment in all circumstance of living out His Kingdom on earth whether we have desperate need or have more than enough resources; and having strength through God to persevere in Kingdom purposes (God will done on the earth, the gospel spread through our words and our actions). It does NOT mean that God is going to give us the strength to do whatever we feel like, it means that God will give us the power to be content and unhindered in sharing the Hope and Gosple in word and deed, whether in need or in abundance of resources.
Scripture Bound To Context without application:
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" if we bind this to the context only, we could limit this to only Paul's experience, as a persecuted missionary. Seeing only that God will teach contentment and endurance (strength) for only those persecuted missionaries.
My attempt at balance:
This verse is a powerful key verse but becomes even more powerful in light of it's context AND giving application to our lives (using the whole of scripture to keep our application in proper alignment with who God is). Every born again Christian (John 3:1-21) has been called by God to be transformed by and into His holiness and righteousness, and to make disciplines (to share the love and hope that we have received). This means that even if you are a middle school student, that you still have a "mission field" right in your community, and whether you have the resources or not, that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. You can share, you can love, you can live a Holy life, you can ___ (fill in the blank with whatever glorifies God and spreads the good news of Christ). This is not a liberty to do whatever you want, because the Word of God is clear about that, but rather it is learned principle of having contentment and strength to accomplish God's purposes on this earth. If your liberty, as God's representative - which is what you become when you become His child), brings confusion or dishonor to God, then the principle of being content and having strength (in want or in abundance) does NOT apply. But it does apply the other way around. The context here is also talking about when what Paul received was now more than he needed and still God enables Paul to be content. The abundance does not pull Paul off his mission or mission's mind set. So you can see how the context, but the freedom to make application to our personal lives makes this verse even more powerful.
So let's be careful, beloved body of Christ, that we are quick to hear, quick to love, and slow to judge our differences. I have Calvinistic Sisters & Brothers and I have radically Pentecostal Faith Movement Sisters & Brothers, as well as Methodists, Baptists, etc. ... Let's remember we are sinners saved by Grace (AKA we are all saints by the blood of Jesus), all being transformed by the renewing of our minds through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26).
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This post was stirred up out of a web search of "how to study the bible". I know there are a couple of good, yet simple references to help teach others about how to read and study the bible, and that is what I was looking for, so that I could use those to help encourage my sisters in Christ. Unfortunately what I came across the most was how other Christians are wrong and how NOT to study. We within in the body of Christ are still prone to bickering with each other, and it burdens my heart. Truth IS important, but disention is a sin. The bible is clear on this.
I don't get it right all the time, but God's grace is sufficient for me and for others. I am trying hard to not judge, because I appreciate the fervent devotion to God, and His Word. I am just trying to encourage love in the discourse, we can get stuck in our ways, no mater which side of the argument we find ourselves. It also needs to be said that I am not preaching peace at all cost. For indeed we will have differences, and the Word of God warns us against being deceived for, it possible even the elect will be deceived. Spiritual things are indeed spiritually discerned I am just praying and encouraging humble love in our discussions and posts.
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I am ending this post, praying in faith and hope two prayers from scripture:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV)
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1:20-25 ESV)
Amen
Amen
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