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The Scriptures present God’s framework to know and fear Him, outlining the basic truths and revealing the deeper mysteries of the Creator. God provides a clear and organized format tailor made to interact with the conscience of man and foster a comprehension of the divine. Yet, how we approach the Scriptures often inhibits our understanding of God’s word. Some read the Bible as a means of disciplined rote reading. Others interact with the Scriptures through devotional materials or meditating on select verses. And, others still leave their reading, interpretation, and application in the hands of the professional- a trusted theologian, pastor, or priest. This two part article series holds the Scripture as the highest authority and hopes to impart the necessary tools to engage the text, so we may read and comprehend the word of God. This series will address the means which enable one to understand the Scriptures by focusing on God’s intent for the Scriptures, how a proper comprehension of the Scriptures results in a fear and reverence for the Lord, and finally, how a fear of the Lord illuminates the Scriptures and fosters an ever growing comprehension of God.
God's Intention for the Scriptures
God’s self-glorification remains His chief end (Is 43:6-7, 48:9-11; Jer [13:11]; Ezk [36:22]-23, 32; Ps 106:7-8; Eph 3:8-12). Therefore, the divine revelation upon every page further glorifies God. While knowledge of differing themes and literary styles of the Ancient Near East remain critical for correct interpretation, one must first arrive at a proper understanding of God to comprehend and interpret the Scriptures. This section will expound upon God’s intent for the Scriptures by focusing on how the Scriptures explain God, Jesus Christ, and man.
The Scriptures Explain God
The revelation of God remains the primary purpose of the Scriptures (Job [12:22]; Jer 33:3; Matt [13:11]; Eph 1:9, 3:3; Col [1:26]). All other realizations and understandings stem from a correct comprehension of the attributes of God. Genesis reveals God’s glorious construction of the earth and His plan for an intimate relationship with man. The historical books demonstrate God’s redemptive plan for mankind. The Psalms declare the glory of God, His design, and His control of the entire cosmos. The Proverbs relate the likely earthly blessing of obedience to God and cursing of disloyalty to the Divine. The Prophetic books enforce God’s sovereignty, holiness, and omniscience. The Gospels present the full manifestation of God’s glory and the completion of His redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. The epistles expound upon the Old Testament and the teachings of Christ to educate and build the church. Most significantly, Christ singularly focused His energy on reiterating God’s glory from the Torah and further revealing God’s nature and work from His wealth of divine wisdom. In the Gospel of John, we read, “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him" (John [1:18]). Christ exists as the only eyewitness of God. He provides a complete explanation of God from His experience and by a thorough exposition of the Scriptures. Moreover, Christ participates with and exists as a person of the Godhead. He possesses an intimacy with God beyond compare.
Christ stands as a complete representation of God and the fullest manifestation of all things previously revealed in the Scriptures. We read in Colossians [1:15],
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
Christ, the man-God, strives to reveal God and thereby glorify His Father. Dear reader, we may only realize God’s nature through His word.
The Scriptures Explain Christ
Christ possesses the fullness of God. In His submission and service to glorify God, God lifts up the name of Christ and glorifies His son (John 17:1; Eph 3:8-12). The Scriptures serve as God’s primary means of testimony to Christ ([5:37]-39). Now, we understand why Christ exclaimed, “Search the Scriptures!" (John [5:39]). If we read the Scriptures without finding Christ, then we look for a cure, but miss the physician. The Scriptures from beginning to end speak of Christ. God promises Eve a seed to crush the head of the serpent (Gen [3:15]). He promises David a descendant who will establish an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel [7:17]). The prophets speak about the great coming of the Messiah (Is [7:14];9:7; Ps 110:4; Zech 9:9). John the Baptist turns all to Christ in His words and deeds (John [3:30]). Finally, Christ Himself uses the Scriptures to prove and establish His authority (Luke [24:25]-27). Certainly, we must acknowledge Christ’s absence in many sections of the Scriptures, yet the totality of the text moves toward His birth, resurrection and eternal kingdom handed over by God to Christ (Ps 2:7-8, 110:1).
Christ fully explains God. Moreover, He used the Scriptures to reveal His divinity. On the road to Emmaus, He used the Scriptures to explain His nature to the two disciples (Luke [24:27]). The Scriptures deepen our respect, reverence, and fear of God. They serve as proof positive in a case for Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. The apostles and faithful men throughout history have argued for Christ from the Scriptures (Acts [2:14]-40; [9:17]-22; [18:27]-28). God intends His Scriptures to further His glory.
The Scriptures Explain Man
The Scriptures explain and reveal the nature of God. Consequently, the glory and holiness of God sharply contrasts the insufficiencies of man. Wherever God’s glory shines, so His light reveals the darkness. Shall we not consider our own inadequacies upon pondering God’s hand in creation? Shall we not decry our impurity upon realizing God's perfect holiness? Men steeped in knowledge and reverence for the Lord understand their own deficiencies. David writes, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Ps 51:5). The most innocent time of life cannot escape man’s inherent depravity and separation from God. Therefore, as we grow in knowledge of God, so we grow in realizing our contrary nature to God. His word explains us. His word reveals our fallen nature.
God’s word systematically results in two responses: rejection or acceptance. Rejection results in an untransformed, though perhaps redirected, life. Rejection allows one to continue living under the subjugation of their desires and rule of their impulses. Acceptance results in repentance. Repentance depends upon a divine realization, empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, that our very existence challenges God’s authority and profanes His word (Acts [2:37]-40).
Man's Rejection of God's Word
A rejection of God’s word depends upon a denial of the nature of God and man coupled with an embrace of the philosophies of men. Certainly, we may recognize the gross sin and immorality of the pagan- a life driven by impulses. But, we must remain sensitive to the hypocritical life. They desire to use God as a self-righteous cloak to cover their misdeeds and refusal to rely upon God. One rejects God at His face; the other feigns loyalty without submission (Jer 7:8-11; Matt 15:7-9). Both profane and reject the word of God: the pagan in their disobedience, and the hypocrite in their misuse and perversion.
No greater test serves as an indication of one’s hostility to the word of God, than the public proclamation and exposition of the Scriptures. The pagan curses God and laughs- He mocks God! The hypocrite bows deeply, nods contemplatively, and gives generously- always abounding in kind words! Yet, the proclamation of God’s word always reveals a heart of deceit, in conflict with God and misaligned against His word. Upon speaking to his hometown synagogue in Galilee, Christ reads from Isaiah (Luke [4:17]-19). Then, he sits down and delivers his teaching. In his first point, He declares the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy- an outpouring of God’s spirit and good things for Israel (Luke [4:21]). His exposition remains prophetic, ultimately lacking clarity for his audience. Only Jesus’s death would reveal the significance of His oracle. Yet, no one questions or challenges Him. Instead, the people adore the mysterious and gracious words of Christ (Luke [4:22]). In contrast, His second point reiterates a common canonical verse. He chooses two narrative sections from the book of Kings, both highlighting the unfaithfulness of Israel and God’s rejection of the nation (Luke [4:25]-27). Jesus’s proclamation of the Scriptures enrages the pious Jews. They reject His words and drive Jesus from the synagogue, attempting to throw Him off a cliff (Luke [4:28]-29). The rejection of God’s words always results in hostility to the things of God.
Man's Acceptance of God's Word
The acceptance of God’s word begins at the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7). A fear of the Lord fosters a reverence for God, a realization of one’s sins, and a desire for repentance and forgiveness. Both John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles preached the gospel of repentance- the glory of God, the sin of man, and the need for a Savior (Matt 3, [4:23]; Mk 1:4,14; Luke 3; Acts [2:37]-42). Yet, their call for repentance and an acceptance of God’s word depends, not on their hearer’s intelligence or comprehension, but upon the Holy Spirit (John [1:12]-13). The Spirit serves to convict men and women upon the hearing of the word and plants the first fruits of repentance (John 16:8).
Most significantly, true acceptance and repentance glorify God. Repentance acknowledges the perfect judgment of God. According to the Divine scales, all men deserve death for their sin. Repentance acknowledges both justice and mercy rest in God’s hands. When Jesus honored John the Baptist, He confirmed his role as frontrunner to the Messiah. Those in attendance who received the baptism of John acknowledged God’s justice (Luke [7:29]). Those who refused the baptismal waters of repentance rejected God’s word and His plan for salvation (Luke [7:30]). The Scriptures rightly exhibit the attributes of God. They serve to exemplify God. An acceptance of the Scriptures begins in a fear of the Lord and ends in God’s glorification through the expression of His attributes- His righteousness, His mercy, and His Holiness.
Read the companion article...
Next, we will discover how God works within men and women to foster repentance and enable comprehension of His Scriptures. Divine truth and illumination remain outside the faculties of man (1 Corinthians [2:14]-16). Only by the power of God may we possess any knowledge of Him. We will investigate how spiritual comprehension depends upon a heart in fear of the Lord filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides the necessary help for a believer to read and understand the Scriptures, growing in a richer and deeper knowledge of God’s truths.
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