But the Bible said!!! (Lawyering the Word vs. Living the Word)
There is a difference between worshipping the Bible vs. worshipping the God “of the Bible”…the first, if not careful, lends itself to biblical legalism and empty religious traditions. The second, through the direction of the Holy Spirit, leads to freedom in Christ and a relationship with God that is fulfilling. I am all for understanding biblical inconsistencies, paradoxes and holding to what God has said through his Word…we are told to search the scriptures to see if doctrine is valid and that there is no heresy given by leaders. I absolutely agree with that…but there is a sinister element to those who have fallen into “Biblical Idolatry” Which is an unbalanced passion in “analyzing” the text versus becoming a follower of Christ as a result of “living the text”…its like a modern day Pharisee who has the “astute” knowledge to pontificate about God but lacks the fruit of the Spirit that is birthed from “knowing” God…or a man sitting on a theological two-legged stool by focusing on what God said and what Jesus did but leaving out the Holy Spirit which will teach you the truth about all of HIM as the Triune God.
The focus is and should be on the Gospel which is “contained” within the scriptures. The rest is for edification and sanctification that all still points to the Gospel embodied as Jesus Christ. Remember, anyone can quote a scripture, I know for a fact that there are people who can run circles around me with their memorization of verses…but the spirit behind the one who is making the quotes is of the utmost importance (even atheists, demons and cult leaders know scripture)…
In conclusion, Love the scriptures…but make sure you focus on loving the God of whom the Scriptures are written.
~ Pastor Andre Martin
Reference:
Exodus 20:3
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2: Cor 3:5-6
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life
#meatnotmilk #dotheword #trueworship #legalism
