Wednesday, February 18, 2015

An Efm thing 2.02 - The Last Word

In follow up, I received a note from my friend saying he was: "withdrawing from EfM, as his beliefs were different from many others in the group. He wanted to follow Holy Scripture as he deems them the Word of God. And he hoped we would remain friends."

A few days later I personally told him he was still my brother and would always remain so.

Today is Ash Wednesday and I received the following text from him. Perchance in hopes of a reply. However, following a morning phone call from another friend about him and his situation and a sharing of prior texts, I'll skip a personal response and only offer my final thoughts herein; as I indicated I would allow him the last word in our text conversation. 
"2 Timothy 3:16-17, 4:1-5 
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work.
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and then will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 
What say ye?"
In reply I might offer:
I have a special affinity for the Books of Timothy, for that is one of my Christian names. And in good conscience agree with what the quoted passages say. However, much as C S Lewis speaks of "the deeper magic", so too do I believe Scripture does in its own way. Mankind has spent at least 3000 years trying to discern the Word of God and probably is no closer to tying it down today than when His first words were offered for our edification.


I agree with what is being said, but... I do not necessarily read the passage with the same filter ANYONE else does. And therein we find our differences; we each read the same words but our understanding of the message isn’t the same. ONLY by examination and discernment, in a group setting, do we develop the ability to ascertain what message Scripture offers each of us, individually, for no one knows the mind of God but God Himself. By faithful study we learn the deeper meaning of what He offers us, and so it has always been. Else wise why do we have so many different accounts of the same message? 

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