How Do We Navigate the Maze?

            Biblical interpretation and application can be a slippery and dangerous path. The journey we are on seems filled with twists, turns and plot shifts. At every step there is the potential to bask in the eternal glow of God’s favor or suffer the unending pain of separation from His love. Life is about the choices we make.

Deuteronomy 30:14-16 “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” (KJV)

            We struggle to find the balance between the literal “Word of God” and the figurative, metaphoric, and allegorical “Word of God”. We attempt to draw clear and distinct lines between right and wrong, good and evil, blessings and cursing. We want an easy “paint by numbers” check list of activities that will guarantee our acceptance into the family of God. We want to be locked into Heaven and locked out of Hell, but we cannot agree with each other on matters of method, translation, vision or purpose.

Ephesians 4:1-3 and 11-13 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace… And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (KJV)

            Transforming our world begins with understanding and communicating the common vision and working together with a single purpose. Our purpose is two-fold: 1. we are to know Christ; 2. we are to make Him known throughout the nations. This goal is accomplished in relationship not isolation. We need each other and we need the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

            Scripture interprets itself and the Spirit of the True and Living God makes His plan known through clear promptings within the lives of committed seekers of truth and wisdom. We measure our progress on the path not by how broadly or narrowly we apply the “Word of God” but by how readily we respond to His voice.

Revelation 3:22 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (KJV)