Revelations For Life: Serious Series

Why Scripture?

Why is Scripture so important? Is it relevant today? How so? How can I understand what it means, not just what it says, especially when so many religious leaders claim to have an exclusive and correct interpretation? Why does it seem that Scripture causes more division than unity in the Spirit?

These are only some of the many questions I had asked myself. I had a strong desire to know God through Christ. But, I saw lots of inconsistency spread across hundreds of denominations as I investigated what they believe and practice and why.

I spoke to people who were absolutely dedicated to their denomination, but couldn't explain from Scripture why they believed what they believed. Instead, they explained their associations to people, events, and experiences outside of Scripture. I spoke to people who left their denominations that they grew up in because they couldn't tolerate the hypocrisy, contradictions, and even cruelty and abuse, they witnessed or experienced, mostly between what church members said and what church members did.

I've met numerous people who switched denominations or left church and religion altogether because those organized religions emphasized rules when what people desperately needed was grace and love, not self-righteous performance, impossible standards and utter shame. I saw many who felt taking positive action towards some humanitarian effort or pursuing some social/political ideal was more important than biblical doctrine, and observed that denominations just caused more bitterness and separation. Were they right to do these things? What is God's perspective?

I personally and purposely decided to trust God's word. I chose to believe He had a specific message He wanted to communicate to all members of the body of Christ. More than that, this message was distinct from messages of positivity applicable to anyone that even unbelievers would quote, such as, "be more kind than necessary." It was then when I diligently sought to know God through His word that I began to discover just how consistent was God's word. So, I held the word of God over what popular churches were holding onto as their one and only correct interpretation and application.

Like the noble Bereans, I studied the Scriptures to see if what they were saying was true, as described in Acts 17:10-12. I listened to the teachings of a pastor who was not attached to any denomination, not even the "non-denominational" denomination. He seemed to raise more questions than he answered, but that only kept me hungry for God's word, not his, or any other person's word. Eventually, gradually, along with my humility, the Spirit of Truth, as the Holy Spirit is called in John 16, was able to get me to see the simple yet profound truth, a powerful truth and absolute grace others had backed away from.

What was I to do when I found some doctrine a denomination or religious church was teaching turned out to contradict Scripture? Well, I found such cases. It was actually quite clear the Scriptures were teaching something different and why. It was reasonable, even logical. I decided to humble myself and let the word of God correct me. I had to unlearn the lessons of man: the organized rituals, religious dogma, and traditions I had mistaken for God's thoughts.

I decided to make the word of God the one and only authority I would trust and rely on, even if I didn't have all the answers yet. If I heard something new, I wouldn't assimilate it until it was clear to me in Scripture. If I couldn't find it in Scripture, I would either put it on pause or reject it altogether.

I also learned from Scripture that this was exactly His prescribed method in getting to know doctrine, Christ, Him (the Father), as well as His eternal plan. I saw with the eyes of my heart that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge were hidden in Christ, and that the Scriptures were shining a bright light on them, and had been, so I, too, could experience the fullness of Christ.

Scripture Q&A

Can clear and simple answers come from Scripture for important questions, even basic or complex questions? I used to think not. Instead, I started collecting books for every question or topic I had: how to pray, how to know Jesus, what is faith, how do Christians live, etc.

I thought the scholars had it right and I had it wrong. There would be no way I could understand Scriptures unless I went through similar seminary and experiential training, in addition to being gifted as an eloquent preacher. Scriptures sounded so sophisticated yet complicated, or so simple yet profound, from the pulpit. No wonder I needed the English Major with the Masters or PhD in divinity to interpret the Scriptures for me.

But, after years of focused study of the Bible (with help from others not attached to any particular denomination, which I came to see as likely having an agenda for that religious organization), I learned Scriptures indeed had clear simple answers. It was only the interwoven religious agenda that made it complicated.

I wouldn't say all Christian denominations are worthless. But, some are certainly more helpful than others in using the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit as a guide to come to the understanding of the truth by which God draws people to Him, and then sanctifies Christians to be transformed.

For religious organizations, having an agenda meant having to twist Scriptures to fit their conclusions. In most cases, it was either about a previous administration of God, such as what was specific to Israel as if it now applies unchanged to Christians, or it was so loosely tied to Scripture that is was more about humanity and producing the fruits of the Spirit on our own.

Whatever didn't fit neatly was written off as the mysterious ways of God. Or, we as clay were unable, even disrespectful, to ask the Potter (God), "Why did you make me thus?" In worse case scenarios, the religious organizations would use guilt and shame to get its members to submit in unquestionable obedience. Some of these are we might call cults.

The hardest part about getting to the clear simple answers found in Scripture was unlearning the religious training I had received from these religious organizations. I had to learn to throw away beliefs I formerly help if they no longer fit what God was communicating in His word. Here are some basic questions I had asked to understand how truth can come from Scripture apart from religious organizations. Hopefully, you will be persuaded to trust in the word of God where it differs from the religious teachings you may have received.

Salvation 101

The first step is a baby step: Salvation. God wants all people to be saved (1 Tim 2:4), yet many will refuse to believe Him. Either they think it's too easy (since God did all the work), or they think it's too hard (they falsely believe that discussions about behavior are about earning or maintaining salvation).

Here are some foundational lessons from Scripture about the reality of Salvation. I would encourage anyone reading this to search the Scriptures and test to see if these things are true.

Five More Posts on Salvation

Here are some random posts about the reality of Salvation using Scripture. I would encourage anyone reading this to search the Scriptures and test to see if these things are true. These articles are but a drop in the bucket.

One can begin with the assertions in Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16-18, 36, and study Romans chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6. Seek first to understand the Bad News, why Salvation is necessary, especially in terms of Condemnation and Justification. There is only one source for each: the first Adam, as in Genesis, for the former, and the last Adam, who is Jesus Christ, for the latter.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18 ESV)

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.(Romans 5:17-19 ESV)

The Good News is the instant and permanent transition from one to the other by grace through faith and trust in Jesus Christ for your soul Salvation. Once you see this Truth, you can then discern that when other Scriptures seem to contradict this rock-solid Truth, they must mean something else. Then, when you fully grasp Salvation, you become ready to begin to understand your calling as a Christian.

Don't jump into action or behavior you think is right before understanding God's eternal plan. He wants all people to be saved, step one, and then come to the full and accurate knowledge of the truth (step two). Seek transformation into the Christian life through the treasures of knowledge and wisdom in Jesus Christ found in the New Testament, especially Paul's letters, in the Word of God, which is Truth.

[God,] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the {epignosis} knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4 ESV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:2 ESV)

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 ESV)

Married to Christ

After salvation, which is the first step, a moment in time and then it is done, the next step is living the Christian life by growing in grace and in the knowledge of truth (1 Tim 2:4).

There are many important distinctions here that also explain why the NT talks about performance and rewards when neither exist in salvation by grace. But this is not performance for performance sake. After salvation, we are expected, but not required, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Eph 4:1). Love is then the motivation to collaborate with God's eternal plan once it is understood.

Here are some thoughts from Scripture about this aspect of our unique calling as Christians.

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 1:24-25)