THE ENTIRE WORD

THE ENTIRE WORD

Why do so many people, including pastors, bible teachers and even theologians read and teach the Bible’s instructions, prophecies, precepts and meaning without regard to the context of the entire Bible? It is as if they have myopia. The way they teach and preach the Bible, one might think they assume that God’s mind wanders from event to event, topic to topic and subject to subject. As I read various highly regarded Bible commentaries, it seems as if those authors might think that God had to change His mind from time to time in order to correct Himself.

Even those who preach or teach the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse often fail to connect their chosen verse with the overall context of “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) and “Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Isaiah 28:10 would explain this well and in the simplest of ways when it says, “For precept must be on precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little”.

Furthermore, God is not a God of disorder or confusion. Consider that God has said, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14), the Pre-existent One. This reveals God’s self-existence, eternal presence, and unchanging nature. He is omniscient (all knowing at all time), omnipresent (everywhere, all the time) and omnipotent (all powerful). God never ‘has a thought’ or ‘changes His Mind’. He is and always has been and always will be.

So, when you read the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 (the beginning) through Revelation 22:20 (the end of all things old and the new beginning of all things new), make it your goal to discover the context of the entire Bible. For example, if you are to determine “if, when and how” God created all things, read the Book of Genesis (chapters 1 through 3, sort of like reading the topic sentence and paragraph of a well written book). Then, if you want to know why God created all things, read the last three chapters of the book of the Revelation. (Sort of like reading the epilogue or concluding sentences and paragraphs of that same well written book). Then it is fair to conclude that everything written between these two points supports the topic sentences and paragraphs and the concluding chapters.

This way, you will discover God’s Plan and His Purpose for all creation. And in that you will find His Methods and discover His Nature.

And, if by chance someone says that the Bible says that “God has a plan for your life” you will discover that God has both a universal plan (the same for everyone) and a personal plan (just for you). You will then find that you have a choice to make. You will either choose to follow Him and His Plan or you will reject Him, rebel and go your own way. Furthermore, you will either find peace and enter into an eternal rest with Him, or you will wander into an eternal torment without Him. Either way, you cannot make an informed decision in plans for this eventuality if you do not know the His Plan and The Way.

If this seems confusing, then let’s simplify this matter and get some assistance from Jesus. He has said, “I am The Truth and The Way and the Life. There is no other way to the Father except by Me.” In a colloquial vernacular, we might say, “Hey, folks. Over here! You are lost, and the path you are on leads to the destruction of your soul and an eternity in darkness and fire. Come and follow Me. I know the way out of this mess. I know the way out of your dilemma. I know the way to life. Come on. Follow Me – or you will perish.”

(Just as a footnote: from before time began, even before time existed, God exists. So for us to say that God had a plan is pathetically ignorant of God. God Is and always has been. God is the Plan, Purpose, The Way and The Method. It is the infinitesimally small and limited mind of mankind that needs to define, draw boundaries, analyze and explain God in order to gain some understanding. And even our pathetic attempt to define God is from a flawed human perspective. But we try and we fail. But we can take heart because God has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” So by faith we fear God and gain wisdom and understanding.) (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Psalm 19:9).

Finally, let me say that even from a secular point of view, science and scientists are just beginning to peer at things they admit they do not understand. They call this quantum physics. Strange and wonderful and often frightening things. But, when put in the context of the even stranger language of the Bible, it would appear that science is peering into the Eye and the Mind of God, so-to-speak. Just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.(2 Corinthians 2:9-13). This phrase refers to the idea that the wonders and plans God has for those who love Him are beyond human understanding or imagination. It is often cited in the Bible, emphasizing the mystery and greatness of God’s promises.

Let’s trust Him. Take Him at His Entire Word and give your soul rest while we busy ourselves preparing for His return.

Glory!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“What does it mean to get ready?”