Why Scripture? (Part 7) Rest

Jesus said to him [Thomas], "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

(John 20:29-31)

Have you ever read those real-life warning labels that clearly show the manufacturer is trying to avoid, or has already encountered, a lawsuit that defies common sense? On an iron, "Do not iron clothes while wearing them." Or hair dryers, "Do not use while sleeping." I think most people wouldn't think to use those appliances in the ways the warning labels state. Nevertheless, and sadly enough, unfortunately, those labels are there for a reason. In case you didn't think of this scenario, don't do it!

Perhaps that's a bad analogy, but it's close enough for now. Scripture contains spiritual information that we do not have otherwise. We need to be taught these things. We cannot go to a different source to learn what the word of God has to teach us.

Here's a better analogy. Let's say you want to learn a computer skill, such as SQL (Structured Query Language) for use with a relational database. (If I'm already losing you due to technical terms, relax. The ride is over shortly.) The point is, you need to learn about SQL from material that teaches SQL. It doesn't help much to read a book about a person that benefited in his career by learning SQL. Nor can you learn SQL by studying books on lawn mower engine repair. It doesn't even help to get a real good book on SQL, read the introduction and say, "Oh, I don't think I need to read this carefully. I already know what the author is going to say."

In the same way, God has thoughts He wants to communicate to us. If we want to hear those thoughts and not someone else's, we need to go the Source, and we need to go with a teachable attitude. I hope we see clearly that Scripture is that Source. If not, review Parts 1 through 6 of "Why Scripture?" and leave a comment to ask questions or engage in discussion.

There are two points I want to leave here.
1. Scripture is the word of God, just as it claims to be, and contains His thoughts which are not ours.
2. Only Scripture reveals His thoughts, and He wants us to know them and pursue them.

Consider these next verses...

In the one from Isaiah, clearly His thoughts are not ours. They are higher than ours. Without the help of the Spirit of Truth, we cannot grasp them. They are foolishness otherwise.

In the other, God has freely given to us what we need to be guided into all truth. Truth here means God's reality, not our reality. Weird things happen when people try to stuff God's reality into ours. It doesn't work. Why fight it? Instead, let's grow in understanding of His reality.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Yet, for the church (with some underline and comment to help out)...

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- [that is, supernatural things] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-12)

So, before moving on, let's check in with ourselves. Are we persuaded to turn to Scripture as the source of truth, God's reality, church-age defining spiritual information, as God's very own words, and to let it be our ultimate authority? Yes? Maybe? Sort of?

Well, fortunately, God doesn't require that you are 100% convinced just yet in order to benefit from His love and grace for us. He knows it's a learning process, but He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). As you dig deeper, in humility, He will reveal even more truth to you, and your soul will recognize His words as spiritual as you become sanctified by the truth and transformed by the renewal of your mind. But first things first! For now, let's just rest a moment and allow these lessons to sink in.