Friday, November 7, 2014

Reading the Bible with Grace

How do we read the Bible? What do we look for when we read the Bible? Answers? Instructions? Information? Let me just share with you what I look for when I read the Bible.


Read with Grace

I grew up listening and reading the stories of the Old Testament with the main character [e.g. David] as the hero. David defeated Goliath. Moses freed a nation. Noah built the Ark. Joseph was the favorite son turned slave to governor. Growing up to these stories, you can't deny the awesomeness of these Bible heroes!

Now, let me offer you something that will [hopefully] influence you into what to look for when you read the Bible. Read the Bible looking for Grace, Love, Mercy and Forgiveness.

Recently in our youth group, we started to study the stories of the Old Testament with grace. [ Currently, we are still in Genesis] Doing this, we saw God's grace, love, mercy and forgiveness.


Grace is Better

When we read the Bible with grace, we can see that God is a loving, merciful and forgiving God. Let's see reasons why reading the Bible with Grace is better.

1. Because it centers around God and not man

Reading the Bible with grace will give a new perspective on how to read the Bible. The focus of the stories shifts from the Bible hero to God. Instead of "what did David do to defeat Goliath" we will ask "what did God do FOR David in order for him to defeat Goliath." From "what did Abraham do in order for God to bless him" to "what did God do for Abraham that Abraham responded with obedience?" 

It demonstrates God's power, enabling these Bible Heroes to be "Heroes."


2. Because it frees us from the curse of the law

The law is often acquainted to the Old Testament, and Grace is for the New Testament. We think that, for the Old, they were saved because of the law, and obedience to it. In the New Testament, we are saved because of God's grace. See where I'm getting at? There is now a great rift between the Old and New Testaments.
There are some Christians, and even Preachers and Pastors who often say this line "The Old Testament is about God's law and the New Testament is about God's grace." And when we view the Bible as such, we will begin to question "So God is forgiving, merciful, gracious and loving in the New Testament (because of Salvation) but in the Old Testament God is a dictator who always wants His law to be followed by His people, and when they don't, he gets angry"

This is probably why the New Testament is being read more than the Old Testament. Now, our Old Testament may only be composed of Genesis, Exodus, Psalms and Proverbs. 

When we started reading Genesis looking for God's grace, we saw the Old Testament in a different perspective. The Old Testament is also about God's grace. 

“redemption and relationship come before rules to help express thankfulness. Anglican pastor and Old Testament scholar Christopher Wright put it like this: The law was given to people whom God had already redeemed. . . . Grace comes before the law. There are eighteen chapters of salvation before we get to Sinai and the Ten Commandments. . . . I stress this because the idea that . . . in the OT salvation was by obeying the law, whereas in the NT it is by grace, is a terrible distortion of Scripture" pp10 Jesus on Every Page

 3. Because it gives reason to love God more

When we understand God's grace, and know how grace works in our life, it is easier to love God more. We will see what God has done, and is doing in our lives no mater what wrongs we have done or our shortcomings. That is God's Amazing Grace.

If grace is at the center of our relationship with God, it will be about God. But when we remove grace, and focus on "what we do in order to earn God's favor" it will distort our relationship with God. We will be more self-centered. "Where are my blessings, God?" "I have served you, obeyed the law and followed all the rules, where is my reward, God?" 

But when we have God's grace, we will be humbled and thankful when God's blessings arrive. It makes it hard to believe when we receive blessings from God even if we make mistakes or have shortcomings in our life. And that is why we can love God more, all because of His grace.


Understanding Grace

When we study the stories starting from Genesis, we will realize that these "Bible Heroes" were not perfect. They sinned or lied. They disobeyed and doubted God. But, when we read it with Grace and God as the Hero, we will see that despite their wrongdoings, sins, and shortcomings, they accomplished much because of God's grace. 

But he said to me, 
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
 so that Christ's power may rest on me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

This is a song that I can recommend. Future Version - Shane & Shane (Lyrics) The message is good and talks about God's grace. God's love for us despite our sins, dark past, or "imperfectness."


Please don't get me wrong and assume that it is okay to do sin because there is God's grace. That's a big no! We were saved from a sinful lifestyle, so why go back? And when we talk about God's grace, yes, our sins are gone and forgiven by God but we will still face the consequences of our actions.

For more information about God's grace, I recommend reading this article - 6 types of Grace by Paul Tripp.

Now, I urge you to also do the same. Read the Bible looking for God's grace. It is what we need. It is what transforms us. God bless :)

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this. It's very easy to forget our roles. Very, very easy. Thanks for the reminder.

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    Replies
    1. Welcome..
      [reading with] God's grace transforms us when we see what he has done, and is doing for us. Our roles (as Christians) will be responding to God's love, grace and mercy [through obedience, prayer..etc] instead of God responding to our obedience or faithfulness.

      This is why we say "God is faithful"

      Thank you for liking this post. To God be the glory, and I pray that he will humble me as I post more articles, and not forget that this should give glory to God and not vain glory for myself.

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