The more I read and ponder the Scriptures, I am struck by this question. What are the implications of what I’m reading? Am I considering these passages in a way that is more than just cursory? Has my reading of the Scriptures fallen prey to the old saying; “Familiarity breeds contempt?”
Probably the first verse that got me thinking in this vein was Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”
To clarify, while I don’t think I have ever, literally, held the words of Scripture with contempt (“the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.) I have definitely not given them the attention and consideration they are due as a result of familiarity.
I suppose the first time I read this passage I probably thought, “Hmmm, that’s interesting. God thinks differently than I do”. From that thought I moved on to my normal life and continued as though I had never read the verse. I’m sure that the next time I read it, my reaction was one of familiarity. I remembered reading it before and gave it no more thought after that, until the next time and the next time and the next time.
I don’t know how many times I read this passage before I stopped to think, “What are the implications of this verse?” I mean, this is a very general statement. “My thoughts” and “your ways”. There are no specifics here. He doesn’t say my politics are different than yours or your particular leanings intellectually are different than mine or your views on this subject or that subject are different. He paints with the broad brush here. In fact, as I think about it, only God can paint with a brush this broad.
So, what are the implications of this verse? Just how differently does God think and act? Context is important for further understanding and so we read on. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Again, I would mostly come away from this further consideration simply acknowledging the profundity of the thought. But finding a statement to be profound is of no practical value, nor is it the intention of the passage to simply “wow” the reader.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Is this something that happens in spite of ourselves? Do we automatically absorb the full effect and meaning of a passage in Scripture? Or do we have some responsibility to open ourselves to its intent to pierce us? Clearly, God is capable of simply enlightening us as He chooses, but the Scriptures also make it clear that we are to discipline and control our minds.
II Timothy 3:16-17 (Amplified) says, “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The more I consider the implications of Scripture, the more I am driven to spend more time contemplating the things of God.
But what are the implications of these verses? This question has come to hound me daily in virtually every area of and situation in my life. What are the implications of this situation or that, within the parameters of the Faith?
One of the most glaring examples of this can be found in the politics of the day. How is the Christian to respond? We are bombarded daily in all forms of media with the realities of living in a world that is contrary in most ways to the principles of life that are given us in Scripture
Having grown up in the United States, I am clearly affected by its culture. But given the international nature of the Scriptures, that it was not written with one culture in mind, this shouldn’t matter. Whether I was born here or in Soviet Russian or mainland China or Zimbabwe during the reign of terror of Mugabe, is immaterial. God’s ways are the same in all corners of the earth.
Now, obviously, the practice of God’s ways carries much different consequences depending on what country you live in. However, there is no indication in Scripture that this is to be a factor when considering His ways and thoughts. We are currently in the early stages of finding this out here in the country that was once defined as “One nation under God”. Even though this slogan was adopted early on in the history of our country, how accurate was/is it?
I have noticed many professing Christians who post on Facebook, for instance, responding to the current political situation in our country. I have been one of them. Most will post suggestions and responses that reflect their political leanings first, with little mention of a Godly perspective. I have done the same and continue from time to time to be tempted to do so again. But faced with the prevailing question in this piece, I have to ask myself, “How can I respond in a way that reflects His ways and His thoughts?” Is God a Democrat? Is God a Republican or even a Libertarian? May it never be! (Sorry Paul) The solutions to the problems of our society in general and specifically are not found on one side of the aisle of the other.
In the days ahead (as it would have in days past) it would benefit us as Biblical Christians to consider, with greater resolve as we read the Word(s) of God, what are the implications of what is written? The following are a few verses that have greatly changed the way I view the world and how I am to respond to it.
I Corinthians 1:18-31, Prov. 3:5, Prov. 9:10 When I am in a discussion and am tempted to allow the intellectual to set the guidelines.
Luke 18:18-23, John 12:49-50 When I think it’s incumbent upon me to make the argument and close the deal.
Romans 1:19 When I think I have to make an argument for God’s existence, when all know.
John 18:18-21 When I think I’ve said the right thing because they accept what I say or that they like me when we’re done talking.
American Christians; the principles of Christianity are not to be edited to fit the culture we live in. They stand alone. We are followers of the One who said, “My kingdom is not of this world…” John 18:36.
What are the implications?
To be continued….