Washed in the Word Part 2 – Objective

In the first part of how to approach the bible we were confronted with the uniqueness and need for God’s word.  Approaching the Bible with admiration and great expectation was all about our affections and motivations. Next, we must face ourselves and be honest about our purpose and attitudes.

Approach the Bible Objectively

When we read the Bible our aim must be true, we must approach it objectively or selflessly, uninfluenced by our feelings or prejudice. Do not look for what you want to find but be open to anything God wants to reveal. Prepare yourself with prayer saying,

“Lord, help me to accept what Your Word says even if I do not like what it says, even if what it says makes me feel uncomfortable. May Your word wash over me and create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me”

Understand is a Matter of desiring or being willing to do God’s Will.

You must have such integrity if you are going to understand what the Bible says. Often when we have trouble understanding the Bible it is not because it is difficult to comprehend but it is hard because we lack the will to do God’s Will. Understanding the Bible starts with having the will to do God’s will; our persistent intent and purpose must be to accept God’s will and to do it. Then Proverbs calls us to treasure knowledge, the next step is to value knowing what God wants to reveal in His Word

John 8: 43 – “Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.”

John 7:17-18 – “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

What God wants us to know He tells us clearly in the Bible.

What God wants to tell us, is He not able to make it clear to every generation and people? What He wants to tell us about the future, is He not able to keep is hidden until the time that it is necessary? The Bible was written to an ancient culture, and we may feel like outsiders trying to look into a very different world. But this sense of remoteness, this disconnect is an illusion that comes from trying to connect with the Bible in the wrong place; the character’s time and culture. The link between them and us is not found there. The link is God Himself, because the God they dealt with is the same God we must deal with today. Knowledge of ancient cultures will add to understanding but it will not change the meaning found in a good translation by 180 degrees or even 90 degrees for that matter.

If someone says you need special knowledge to understand the Bible and they claim that they and other experts have that special knowledge, watch out! It is more likely they are wolves trying to manipulate the Bible for their own ends. They have more faith in man’s ideas than God’s teachings.

The Bible is clear and brings clarity, we are the ones that bring the fog of confusion. Out of prejudice we determine what is right and wrong and even presume to judge what God says. Out of desire we look to justify our own actions and ideas even searching God’s word for some small phrase that would seem to make us right.

Luke 10: 25-29 – 25 And behold, a scholar of the Law stood up and was putting Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Do not be like a lawyer looking for the loopholes when you read the Bible. Do not be a politician using it for your own gain. Do not be a religious person trying to show off your list of accomplishments. Come as lowly as you are, as truly needy as you really must be and find waters that never run dry. Find new wine and bread unlike any other. Find freedom and rest for your soul.

2 Timothy 2:15 – ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

John 8:31-32 “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”