Big picture = strong foundation

Professors in the seminary where I took a master’s degree were a huge help to me in a way that they may not have realized. I am a ‘detail’ person but every one of my profs was a ‘big picture’ person. From them, overview, outlines, and seeing the general message of the Bible became easier and more important. I’m noticing this today as my devotions in 2 Peter come to a close.

Peter’s first main point is that since the Word of God was given by the Holy Spirit, I need to pay attention to it:

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19–21)

This week, a friend told me she was getting direction for her spiritual life from a book written by a member of a fraternal organization that is not Christian and does not follow the Word of God. Since the source of this book is not God, its message lacks the authority of the Bible. I’d not read the book she considered “inspiring” so could not convincingly comment on it. Instead, I used a few verses point to the power and love of Jesus Christ.

Peter’s second point is the fate of false teachers, those who “deny the Lord” and are headed toward judgment. He says of them that their “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2:20) and those who follow them can expect nothing better. God’s judgment upon sinners throughout the Bible is a warning to all. I am praying for my friend that God will enlighten and save her so she does not listen to false teachers.

Peter’s third point is about the Second Coming of Christ. This will be God’s vindication of His name and purpose. It will also be the day of judgment for the scoffers and those who deny the reality that Jesus will return. They forget (and I sometimes do too) that this event is delayed because God is longsuffering, “not willing that any should perish” (3:9). For that delay, I am thankful. Who knows, not only might my friend turn to Christ but so also might some of those false teachers.

Peter again leaves me with this challenge:

“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:14–18)

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Jesus today is another day to remember the important basics of following You. I am to keep short accounts, trusting You with peace in my heart and choosing patience and relying on the Holy Spirit as I study Your Word. You warn me to avoid those who teach error and remain stable, growing in the grace and knowledge of You, not for my benefit alone but that You will be glorified. You also remind me of the psalmist’s instructions to take refuge in You because “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)

Today’s thankful list . . .

- for the solid foundation given by God to His people.

- for the power of Jesus Christ over evil, sickness and death.

- for loving brothers and sisters in Christ.

- for answered prayer, especially for a friend’s who was in a spiritual battle and is now rejoicing.

- for a lazy afternoon, a good nap, and my hubby who spoils me every Sunday night buying supper.

- ice cream sandwiches.

Foundations for Faith

My detail-loving mind struggles with ‘big picture’ concepts. I see flowers by their parts rather than a field full of them, the trees rather than the forest. Sometimes this interferes with understanding the Bible. For instance, I can get caught up in the individual events and lives of people rather than remembering the simple overview: Creation, Fall, Restoration, Consummation.

Today’s devotional reminds me of a big picture view even though Tozer uses a verse from the KJV that is not in older manuscripts. The history of its inclusion explains that it was first added to a manuscript margin by a copyist and eventually accepted as authentic until further research revealed what happened. It isn’t that the words are in error, just that they were not put there by John, who wrote the rest of the passage.

Comparing them, the KJV says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1 John 5:7–8)

All Bible versions based on older and more reliable texts omit some of these words. Below, verses 7-8 from one of them are in italics:

“This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.”

The rest of the passage goes on to say:

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:6–12)

The problem is not about agreement between the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit for this is true. Rather, scholars and ordinary people like me struggle with why John used ‘the Spirit, the water and the blood.’ What is he talking about?

There are four suggestions. One of them takes a big picture view and I like it. It explains that John is writing about the way the Father bears witness to Jesus and does it in three ways: through the Holy Spirit, through water, and through blood.

Considering these three elements, the Holy Spirit as a witness to Jesus is easy to understand. Jesus said, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14) The Holy Spirit witnesses to my spirit that Jesus is God.

The blood is more symbolic yet obviously points to the death of Christ where He shed His blood for our sins. This event combined with the resurrection is a huge foundation for our faith and a truth repeated many times. Jesus’ blood is the Father’s witness to the authenticity of Jesus and our salvation.

Water is the oddest item in this trifold list. One commentator believes it refers to the “water of the Word” that washes away our sin, making Scripture the third witness of the Father to His Son. That is, we know Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, the fact that He shed His blood for us, and through the power of His Word that reveals truth to us in written form and changes our lives.

Why are these three important for my faith? What is practical about knowing how God testifies to me about His Son? Looking back at the passage, if I reject or resist any of these three, I would be rejecting God’s witness and calling God a liar (vs. 10). Again, He has given me all that is needed to trust Him and live for Him. Any suggestion that begins with, “Did God really say . . .” or that dismiss the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection or that pushes away the nudging of the Holy Spirit puts me in a dangerous place of doubt and on a slippery slope, a slide into sin.

These are foundational matters and basic to believing in Jesus and living for Him. As the psalmist said, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)

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Lord Jesus, theology and doctrine can never be separated from life. What inner thoughts I listen to, what I understand about Your life, death and resurrection, and how I value and respond to Your Word affects my whole life. Thank You for a solid foundation that makes faith in You very important and very practical!