The main rule for interpreting Scripture is a simple one.
Posts that reference the book of Romans
Study Tip: Application
Bible study isn't intended to simply be way for us to rack up a store of factual knowledge. We need to apply the things we learn, growing more Christ-like day by day. How do we do that?
2 Timothy 3:16 tells four us different ways Scripture applies.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable (useful) for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Doctrine – Don't get too hung up on the word doctrine. It simply means 'teaching'. For example, Scripture teaches us Jesus Christ is God's Son. The most basic way to apply Scripture is to recognize it as absolute truth, the final authority on a subject. Accept it. Embrace it. Conform to it.
Reproof – Scripture also points out where we've gotten off track. If I thought I should take revenge on anybody who crossed me, a quick Bible study would reprove me. The Bible tells me revenge is God's prerogative, and I'm to respond to mistreatment with grace and forgiveness, turning the other cheek even.
Correction – This is the how-to for getting us back on track. Often these are the toughest ones to apply because they involve the most work and the greatest change. For instance, Paul says in Romans 12:2 not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. Applying that verse is a life-long pursuit, with constant evaluation and adjustment.
Instruction in righteousness – Finally, Scripture tells the positive things we should do. Applying Scripture this way can be as simple as obeying the direct commands God gives. Other times, its more subtle. An example for this one is 2 Timothy 1:7 – "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." How does it change your approach to the challenges in your life knowing that God has given you that spirit? Those changes are a result of applying the truth in that verse.
As you read and study, be aware of verses that stand out to you. Do you need to apply that verse or passage? Is it a truth you need to hold on to (doctrine or instruction)? Does it reveal an area that needs work (reproof or correction)?
What stories can you share about applying Scripture to your life?
Study Tip: Making Lists
Most of us concede that if we really have to remember something, we write it down. Important information seems to come at us in lists. If you watch, Scripture is no different. Some of the lists you’re already familiar with- Ten Commandments, Fruit of the Spirit and so forth. Sometimes though, the lists are a little more subtle.
They can take the form of instructions, like in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go… teach… baptize… teach.”
They can be attributes, as in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
It might be an action plan. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10) Yesterday we discussed being prepared for worship, and today, we’re prepared to work. Here’s our mission. We find out what God says, we do it, and we tell others. Why would we want to make it more complicated than that?
One of my favorite lists is in Ephesians 1:3-6. Check out the blessings in those few verses! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
1. Every spiritual blessing (We could actually stop there. The rest of it explains some of what that entails.)
2. Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world
3. Holy & blameless before Him in love
4. Adopted as His children
5. Accepted by His grace, according to His will.
Now we could dicker about exactly how many things should or could be on the list… ‘Holy” and ‘blameless’ could be two separate items, but no matter how you cut it, that’s a pretty fantastic list. There’s another in Romans 5:1-11. Check out all that ‘we’ have, what ‘we’ were and what ‘we’ are now.
Noticing and even writing down the lists that are in Scripture cause us to slow down and consider the truth for an extra moment or two. I number them in the text or write them in the margin. Watch for lists in Scripture, and spend some time with them, at least as much time as the grocery list or that to-do list. After all, these will last much longer.
Friday Update: By Grace, Chosen to Serve
What am I writing? I finished the draft of Contingency and submitted the summary and first chapter to a contest. The prize is having an agent look at it. I’d be happy with some positive feedback. I’ve also begun working with Amanda on plotting the next book. I’m not going to start the actual writing until next month at the earliest.
What have I learned? No online geek stuff, but I’m learning MediaShout. Our computer master at church upgraded us, so if I have hopes of getting VBS on the big screen, I need to get a handle on the software. So far it’s fairly intuitive, but I’ll be building my cues this week.
What am I reading? Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah. He intertwines the story of John Newton and his tremendous hymn with Paul’s life and writings especially from Romans. He covers what grace means for us past, present and future. I think we have a decent grasp of grace’s role in our salvation, and how it results in our eternal life, but we’re less clear on what it means for us to walk in grace each day. I never cease to be impressed/amused by Dr. Jeremiah’s knack for alliteration. His chapter titles- The Captivating Presence of Grace, The Converting Power of Grace, The Comforting Provision… The Confident Promise… The Continual Praise… and five more! The book fits well with Max Lucado’s In the Grip of Grace. Both of these make me want to go back and read The Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll.That may be my favorite book.
On a side note- we got a pool pass this year, so I envisioned reading by the pool for an hour or two a day… Thanks to a mild, wet summer, it ain’t happened. So like the addict I am, for every book I’ve read, I’ve bought 2 or 3 more and have made NO headway on my stack. Oh well, maybe next week.
What has God taught me? In 2 Chronicles 29:11 Hezekiah encourages the priests and Levites “…do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him…” The Lord has chosen me… me… chosen by God. Okay, this was not new information, but a refresher never hurts. God doesn’t just save us because it’s a nice thing to do. He saves us for a purpose, for some kingdom work of eternal significance. Nothing I do (for Him) is wasted, no matter how small it may seem to me. God says to me, “Now, do not be negligent… Don’t sit on this grace, on this calling. Fulfill all that I have for you.”
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