READ THE BIBLE WISELY

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Dec 11, 2017
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#1
READING THE SCRIPTURES SELECTIVELY & SUBJECTIVELY
VS
READING THEM THOROUGHLY & OBJECTIVELY



Not comparing scripture with scripture, reading or emphasizing the scriptures that agree with or support a doctrinal bias or premise (and ignoring, twisting or minimizing those that do not), and focusing on God’s promises while ignoring their conditions, is a recipe for error and potentially for harm.


We should read God’s Word to know the truth, whatever it may be---not to confirm what we want to believe. Because if it isn’t true, even if it makes us feel good to believe it, there’s no power in it: Believing something that isn’t true won’t liberate or protect us from the realities and consequences of what is true, or prepare us for whatever we may need to prepare for.


Whether bitter or sweet, knowledge is power; and deception and ignorance, however sweet, is weakness and vulnerability.


(Don’t avoid the ‘scary’ or 'hard' scriptures: They’re just as much for our good as the comforting and encouraging ones.)



EXAMPLES


Reading this: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV)


But not this: But how are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? (Romans 10:14 ESV)


Or this: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)
...

Reading this: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 ESV)


But not this: “Abide in Me, and I in you…If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15:4,6 ESV)


Or this: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10 ESV)
...

Reading this: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 ESV)


But not this: …who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)


Or this: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7,8 ESV)


Or this: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31 ESV)
...

Reading this: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 ESV)


But not this: Submit yourselves therefore to God. (James 4:7 ESV)
 
Jun 1, 2016
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excellent post !!! very sound stuff. God bless you indeed !