Prof told us that one of the fundamental disconnects people make is they substitute Bible interpretation for application. We study and study and study and we build up this information and knowledge about God and about the Scriptures, and we tell people what we know, but we fail to apply the principles of what we learned to our own lives. We teach people the principles but we do not live the principles ourselves. We are convicted by Scripture, but we fail to respond to the conviction. We chalk up the interpretation and move on to learning the next thing.
There were two groups of people in Scripture, famous for doing this very thing; the Scribes and Pharisees. They knew the Scriptures inside and out and on the outside they looked good, but on the inside they were as dirty as sin. They were guilty of superficial application. Unfortunately our churches today are packed with people who are guilty of superficial application. I myself am guilty of this very thing in certain areas of my life.
My prayer is that we would all make sure that we apply the principles and apply what we learn from Scripture to our lives. As prof pointed out to us today, the Bible was not given to us, merely to inform us. Yes, the Bible was given to us to inform us, but more importantly, the Bible was given to us to TRANSFORM us. Are you being transformed? Are you different than you were a year ago? How about six months ago? If not, chances are there is a failure to apply what God has revealed to you. I know that I have failed to properly apply God's word in areas of my life, because there are areas that have not been transformed because I have not made proper application.
This was just day one of the application section. I am very excited to see where the next five weeks takes us!
1 comment:
Way to go, Chris! I am so glad you are taking practical courses. Our family Bible reading in Proverbs 4 today said to get understanding no matter the cost. I want to assure you that gaining God's wisdom for life is always more than worth the cost.
In response to your blog post, I'm thinking why bother studying the Bible if it isn't going to change your life? I am really enjoying my own blog because it is truly becoming my spiritual journal. After I read the Scripture, God speaks to me as I write about it, and He tells me how to apply it to change my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Hopefully as I blog, I am challenging someone else to allow God's Word to affect change in their lives. To me, the Bible acts as a filter. As I read, God sifts through my life to sort out the chaff and keep the fruit.
Keep glorifying God today!
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