The Goal of Reading the Bible
It is written that God’s goal is not “to satisfy our curiosity, but to change us according to his will”.
As I read through the many threads and the manifold posts here I am often struck by how many passages found in the Bible are interpreted not only differently, but often seemingly opposing ways by people of good will, faith and impressive abilities. In fact, it sometimes seems that for every verse of the Bible there are as many interpretations as there are people reading them.
Scripture reveals much, in fact the whole Bible is a record of God revealing himself to people. It is more than a lifetimes study, for me at least. Further, it often seems to me that much is also left unsaid to my eyes and ears.
As a Christian I take it on faith that God has his reasons for all that he plainly reveals to me, that which he plainly reveals to others and not me, and that which he doesn’t seem to reveal to anyone I encounter. I trust this is by His design.
In Timothy 3:19, KJV we find this:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
We all yearn for the truth of God’s will and I sometimes wonder: why isn’t scripture plain for us to see equally, so that we can then agree in our worship and be confident of being glorified?
Matthew, 25:15, NASB
“To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.”
So we've all been given differing talents for God's glory, and if we do use them for God’s glory we are on an equal footing with other faithful, trustworthy brothers and sisters as servants of God, regardless of our how great or small our innate understanding or comprehension of his word may be.
It is written that God’s goal is not “to satisfy our curiosity, but to change us according to his will”.
As I read through the many threads and the manifold posts here I am often struck by how many passages found in the Bible are interpreted not only differently, but often seemingly opposing ways by people of good will, faith and impressive abilities. In fact, it sometimes seems that for every verse of the Bible there are as many interpretations as there are people reading them.
Scripture reveals much, in fact the whole Bible is a record of God revealing himself to people. It is more than a lifetimes study, for me at least. Further, it often seems to me that much is also left unsaid to my eyes and ears.
As a Christian I take it on faith that God has his reasons for all that he plainly reveals to me, that which he plainly reveals to others and not me, and that which he doesn’t seem to reveal to anyone I encounter. I trust this is by His design.
In Timothy 3:19, KJV we find this:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
We all yearn for the truth of God’s will and I sometimes wonder: why isn’t scripture plain for us to see equally, so that we can then agree in our worship and be confident of being glorified?
Matthew, 25:15, NASB
“To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.”
So we've all been given differing talents for God's glory, and if we do use them for God’s glory we are on an equal footing with other faithful, trustworthy brothers and sisters as servants of God, regardless of our how great or small our innate understanding or comprehension of his word may be.