Don’t YOU dare take my word…
When I was 20 years old, I was a student in a Bible class at my Christian University. I did not come from a “churched” background and I was soaking up lots of amazing teachers and preachers that were shaping me into my role in the kingdom. I took copious notes, read lots of books, immersed myself in Chapel services, highlighted my verses, took notes in the margins and took full advantage of my Christian education. But one day, a gospel minister shook my world and gave me one of the greatest truths I have ever had. After a wonderful lesson, Dr. Jones told us, “Don’t you dare take my word for this. On Judgment Day, you can’t use the excuse that this is what ‘old brother-so-in-so’ taught me or plead ignorance.” What???? Surely I misheard him but I hadn’t. He told us we were admonished to study to “show thyself approved” (yes, I am of the KJV generation).
The ESV shares 2Timothy 2:15 simply;
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
He continued with Philippians 2:12.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Now you understand this was a true Southern man of God. As my Grandmother would have said, “he can shuck the corn clear down to the husk” with his words. He concluded with Judgment Day is coming and we are all accountable for our thoughts and deeds. Stay with me here. I know many of us have been wounded by legalism, hellfire, damnation, and keeping the law. I have fought those demons myself. We have broken so many souls with “dotting all the I’s and crossing the T’s”. It was never meant to be that way. It’s simply about being the blood of Jesus and claiming HIM as the only WAY. Let’s look at Luke’s dedication to Theophilus in his first four verses.
In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Catch that last line? In the scriptures, we can have certainty. We have a huge part in this equation. It is an active role we are to take with working through scripture with fear and trembling. Too many times I have relied on ministers, sermons, friends, and books to give me insight. They can give me great insight but I must test/compare/filter everything else ACTIVELY through the Word. I often tell my students that the God of Creation, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob can make sure my Bible was translated properly for the past 2000 years. You would be surprised at how many millennials and my current students fall for Satan’s lie that it is full of error, contradictions, and manmade conjecture. God gets his WORD to us for us, in spite of us and manifests it with the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Around ten years ago, God brought a group of lovely souls in my life and I began Bible study in a whole new way. Using only scripture (and googling some Hebrew), I have come to see the Bible come alive in ways I never knew. Using the common cross-references in all of our Bibles, I have learned so much about the common thread of redemption running through the OT and the NT. It is a picture of God relentlessly chasing HIS people through history. I am brought to tears for a GOD who made me, molded me and wants me desperately home with HIM. It is the message of Grace pure and simple.
I am an avid reader and my bookshelves are pretty much double-shelved. I found that by studying pure scripture with my forever family, I didn’t need to read as many books about the Bible. I still read several authors I trust when they publish books but I have learned to discern opinions from the Word of God. I don’t have all the answers but they are there. It’s freeing. It’s life-confirming. Test. The Holy Spirit will take it from there. Please don’t take my word for it. Guard the Word in your hearts and it will come back for you tenfold.
Maranatha!
Jayme
