Reflections about Studying, Reading, and Meditating on God's Word

Sometimes I really dive into the text in my study.  I am reminded, though, of something I heard from a very wise and spiritual tuned person.  He said that one of the challenges for someone that has training in the biblical languages, exegesis, and theology, is engaging in what could be called "simply reading" the text.  

When I am trained to be able to study, analyze, and dissect the text, it is not unusual for me to be the one "in control" of the process.  The scriptures can easily become an object of study.  I believe it was Søren Kierkegaard that observed how scholars used the tools of scholarship to keep the scriptures at bay.  In other words, scholars used scholarship to avoid doing what the scriptures instructed.  The scriptures became an academic exercise, an artifact to be studied.  On the other hand, what can be called "simply reading," takes all of this and turns it on its head.  Rather than me approaching the text with my scalpel in order to dissect it, I get out of the driver's seat and let the scriptures take its scalpel to me.  Rather than me analyzing and dissecting the scriptures, the scriptures analyze and dissect me.  After all, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword.  It dissects the thoughts and intentions of my heart.  This can be a challenge to someone with theological and scholarly training.  My first inclination is to grab my Greek or Hebrew text, my lexicons, word studies, historical studies, etc. 

 
It occurs to me that this is not a temptation just for those with scholarly training, but for anyone who engages in Bible "Study."  I look back on my own history and remember that even before I had theological training, I often did the same thing.  It can happen in Bible Classes, study groups, or in individual study.  This is a pitfall for everyone who approaches the Bible.  It seems that the only way to avoid this pitfall is to recognize the word of God as living and active.  It is not like other words because it is the word of God.  It is breathed out by the breath of God, which gives life.  When I read the words of scripture, I am reading something in a completely unique category.  This means that whether I am just "reading" or "studying," I need to begin with prayer.  I need to ask questions such as, "What is God communicating to me?"  or  "What does this teach me about God?"  I need to conclude with prayer and respond to the scriptures, which includes thanksgiving, praise, or repentance.  I need to recognize that God's word is the major tool that God uses on me, whether I think of it as the pure milk of the word that makes me grow, or the sword of the Spirit that helps me to overcome the schemes of the evil one, or something sharper than a two-edged sword, like a spiritual scalpel for my heart, mind, and soul.  

Thank you Lord for the incalculable blessing of your word!  My I meditate on it day and night and be as a tree that has been transplanted by living water, bearing fruit for your glory!

Length VS. Depth of Eternal Life

It has occurred to me recently that what the Bible calls eternal life is not about existing forever.  The Gospel and epistles of John include a lot of teaching regarding life and eternal life and it does not appear to be about length of existence.

The book or Revelation describes those who enter eternity allied with the beast rather than in Christ describes them in this way:  “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night” (Rev 14:11).  Even though this is eternal existence, the Bible never refers to this type of existence as eternal life.

Jesus gives a completely different dimension regarding eternal life in his prayer.  Jesus stated, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).  This indicates that eternal life is not about eternal existence but is about knowing God.  

What does it mean to know God?  It is much more than just knowing some facts about God, but involves living in faithfulness to him.  Throughout 1 John, John teaches that in addition to accepting the Son and the Father and keeping God’s commands, one must love as God loved.  He wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 Jn 4:7-8). 

If one knows every fact about God, but does not love, then one does not know God.  Love is central to God’s character and therefore central to our relationship with God.  This is why Jesus identified love for God and love for neighbor as the central and foundational commands of God (Mt 22:36-40).  This also is why Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings,” in Matthew 12:7.  Steadfast love (hesed), which does not have an exact equivalent in Greek or English, is translated as mercy in Matthew because it fits with the context.  In effect, Jesus is making steadfast love, expressed as mercy/compassion, an interpretive principle of God’s law.  If we correctly understand love as central to God’s character, then we will better understand how to apply God’s law.  Our motivation for obedience, faithfulness and service must be from love.  In fact, Paul states that all kinds of religious service without love is nothing (1 Cor 13:1-3).  Truly love is the greatest thing.  

Here is what is interesting.  In 1 John chapter 3, John connects this love with eternal life: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 Jn 3:14-16).

This means that eternal life is about knowing God, which is about loving as he loved, which is one of the indications that we have eternal life abiding in us.  This seems to suggest that eternal life is not about length, but about depth. It is about knowing God, which includes loving as God loves.  Remember this the next time you state that you have eternal life.  Your compassion, benevolence, and service in the name of Christ is a demonstration of eternal life in you.