Submission to Biblical Authority

When we come to God's Word, do we allow it to shape our opinions? Or do we allow our opinions to shape the way we interpret the Scripture?

Do we open The Holy Book with open hearts, waiting and eager for what God has spoken to us? Or do we look to justify our actions and opinions with misinterpreted passages?

Are we willing to change our minds and actions when we clearly understand what God has said and it's implications when our minds and hearts might first conflict with what is written there? That is why the world doesn't read the Bible except for a literary or philosophical exercise - they hate being confronted with the reality of their own sin.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

God's not only interested in the conversion of my heart, will and actions, but the conversion of my mind also.

Do we humble ourselves to seek a Biblical interpretation by trustworthy pastors and scholars when a passage is difficult to understand? Even when a passage is easy to understand, are we willing to accept, by faith and obedience, what it teaches and repent?

I will say that my degree at Southern Seminary was in music performance not Theology. But theology is required (praise God!) for all degree coursework and you know that some things do rub off on you when you're in that kind of environment. One of the most important things I learned while I was there was that the Word, Living and Active, who is Christ, is above all things Lord of everything. To Him we owe our allegiance, first and foremost. And the Word is all that God has spoken to us - we need nothing more.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Hebrews 1:1-2

I heard the DJ on the Christian radio station this morning allude to the words in red as though they were more important than the black ones. Christ is the Word - the whole Word. They are all important.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1 & 14

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word

What more can He say than to you He has said

To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

What a great and glorious day it will be when all the children of God, adopted by the Father, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, obedient to the faith and kept by the grace of God, forsakers of lawlessness, will be united with Him in the heavens and we all will be of one heart and one mind in Christ Jesus! Having seen Him face to face, beholding the glory of His presence, will be purged of the presence of sin and all it's myriad of influences from worldly philosophy, heresy and misconception. We will be one in Him as Christ and the Father are One.