Bobservations
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Jesus tells us that He is the way, the
truth, and the life. “Study to show thyself approved unto God,” Paul says, “…a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15). The word of truth is the word of Jesus. But to rightly divide His word, we must understand that it needs to be taught
with the entire Bible in mind. To do otherwise is to abuse it and teach it like
a man with no understanding, or to teach it from man’s own human understanding.
Peter teaches that holy men of old spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. Paul tells us that all of scripture is inspired
by the Holy Spirit.
I learned of a man recently who denies the
Rapture of the church, and willingly ignores some of the scriptures that teach
it. He has degrees from several Theology Schools, matched with multiple degrees
in Philosophy.
With those two divergent backgrounds, all scripture
for him is filtered through human Philosophy. This man has a great mind, and
has earned the respect of many in Theological circles. His peers award him the
title of “Theologian,” Yet Theology is the study of God’s wisdom, and
Philospohy is the study of human wisdom. His chosen areas of expertise are like
oil and water. No matter how much you mix them, they eventually separate. (Isaiah 55:8 & 9)
Scripture must be taught with the whole of
scripture in mind, and not mixed with anything else. God is telling a story,
and it’s the story of His faithful followers from Genesis to Revelation, AND how He leads them and protects them. For
Jesus’ Church, even the gates of hell will not prevail against it. As He kept
Noah, He will keep us. As He delivered Lot, He will deliver us. In the midst of the
many sieges against Jerusalem, He preserves His Holy City. His
faithfulness is to all generations. So how are we then to believe that God
would not protect His Church, and keep us from the wrath of the Great Tribulation?
It is contrary to His very nature.
“For God has not
appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our
Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:9
