Sweeter Than Honey!

I recently read a book titled: The Year of Living Biblically. A. J. Jacobs, a man who knew nothing about the Bible, decided that he would spend a year following the Bible's words to the letter. His book, which tells the story of his quest, is a hoot, somewhat irreverent, but extremely compelling. Despite his early skepticism and his secular worldview that held no real regard for the reality of the revelation of God in the Bible, Jacobs found that his encounter with the Bible was changing him, turning an atheist into an inquirer. He met up with all kinds of fundamentalists in that year, people who think they are following the Bible and miss the point entirely by focusing only on the words. For example, he handled snakes with a little church in Kentucky that completely ignore the context of Jesus' words found in Mark 16. Yes, he made a huge effort to keep the letter of the Law, but Jacobs never really allowed the Bible to change his heart. What makes his story both funny and sad are his efforts to shape his daily habits by rules that were divorced from a love for God and an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I am a Biblical man. No, I don't handle snakes, grow a long beard, or observe rigid dietary codes. However, my views, my speech, my values; all come from the Bible. From the earliest days of my life, the Book has been the source of truth around which my life is shaped.

From the Book, I learned early that I am not a god and that there is a God to Whom I will give account for the way that I live my life. That singular idea has kept me from giving in to many temptations as well as motivating me to serving faithfully when I preferred to be served.

From the Book, I gained the concept of a loving personal Lord that cares for people and that has caused me to have a high regard for the dignity and personal worth of other people.

From the Book came my sense of eternity, the realization that this present world is just the prelude to the 'forever' life that is promised to all of God's children. Eternity, out there on time's horizon and growing closer each day, makes me hopeful and peaceful.

I don't have a lot of patience with those who twist the wonderful Word into strange doctrines, who use snippets of the Word to support their pet theories. Few things make me more disturbed than hearing someone 'interpret' the Scripture with little or no real skill or study. It is simply too precious to be misused by charlatans, misquoted by simpletons, or ignored by misguided sophisticates! With the Psalmist, I say - "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:103-105, NKJV)

Paul admonished Timothy, a younger pastor, about the importance of good teaching. He said, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV) And James held this caution out to those who would take the podium to teach- "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1, NIV)

John Ortberg writes that
"Some 65 million copies of the Bible are bought or distributed in the U.S. every year-nothing else is a close second. The average house has at least three. People cheer the Bible, buy the Bible, give the Bible, own the Bible-they just don't actually read the Bible. According to George Gallup:
One third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible;
80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it's actually Ben Franklin)." Leadership, Winter, 2008

Are you a person of the Word?
Don't make the mistake of just owning a Bible and thinking that makes you Biblical! Read it. Of course, without the practice of group study, which has precedent spanning three millennia, you will miss much, most, in fact, of what the Bible actually has to say. Really understanding what God says is a life-long quest, a serious study, and demands that we allow the Spirit to make the Word plain to us. But, the reward of knowing and doing what the Word teaches is beyond estimation.

"Every word you give me is a miracle word— how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you. Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me." (Psalm 119:129-133, The Message)
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