THE BIBLE IS GOD'S PERSONAL WORD TO ME

I remember hearing a preacher, who I respected a great deal, say something that made me bristle.  He was talking about being in a Bible Study and people were sharing what the scriptures they were studying said to them and meant to them.  He exhibited a bit of anger and said, “I don’t want to hear what they said to you; I want to hear what the scripture said.  I don’t want to hear what the scripture meant to you; I want to hear what they mean.”

I understood his intention.  It is important to maintain the integrity of the Bible.  But if it can’t be taken personally what good is it?  It simply becomes a scholarly book we can learn from and keep on the book shelf for reference.

My Bible is not such a book and never has been.

Since the beginning of my walk with God my Bible has been like a friend to me.  God speaks to me through it, face to face, as I read and meditate upon the words that are written there.  I don’t just study it, I interact with it.  The words are alive to me.  Because the Bible is important to me I have spent time learning how to handle it in a responsible way.  I have attended Bible College, sat under amazing teachers, and went to seminary.  I learned the tools to be scholarly in my working with the Bible; but in the end it is still the heart relationship I have with it that means the most to me.  I have exegetically horrified some of my seminary teachers, but I have never offended God.  He knows my heart and is faithful to correct any misinterpretations I may have concluded from my reading and studying.

The Bible isn’t a book to be merely studied.  It is a book to be lived.  That means taking it personally as God’s words to us for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in right living.  I am called to follow Jesus and be his disciple.  I look to the Bible to be taught by the Spirit of Truth.  It is a personal interaction.  I trust that the Holy Spirit will keep me on track and not allow me to go into error.  As I read, meditate, and study the Scriptures I interact with God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, and it is delightful.

I can appreciate the scholarly study, the exegetic tools, knowing the original language, and all the work that goes into knowing every jot and tittle of what the Bible says.  But in the end my mind, heart, and soul are captures and fed by the collection of words, stories, and teachings that are truly inspired by God and full of His life and love; for me and for all of His creation.