I'm beginning a new series called 'Back to Christian Basics.' In this series, we'll thoroughly explore each topic from a biblical perspective to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
We begin with the basics of Christianity, and the third topic is 'Bible’ Let’s Explore how the Word of God is useful for our Spiritual Growth. How does the new covenant vs old covenant life differ and how we should meditate the Bible.
Bible
God revealed his words to humans thru Prophets / teachers / Kings / Apostles / Disciples. They wrote these letters as a scripture which not only act as “God’s word to speak to us”. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, '
The Bible is God’s breathed word hence its called “The Word of God”. When you read the word of God, it completes its purpose of teaching or correcting or rebuking us for our sins or training us to the righteous path of God. How it does? Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. '
The Bible has Old Testament and New Testament. - New Testament describes the word of After Christ. We will learn the differences in later part of this study.
The Bible is always current, irrespective of the time we live in, we may live in 21st or 22nd Century the words in Bible is always in context to what time we live. There is no part of Bible thats not useful. Every comma / full stop or a word has a meaning to it.
The Bible has different purposes that can help us get closer to God.
1) The Word of God — Our life with Jesus is not of the food we eat in the world, but from the word that comes from God Matthew 4:4 (NIV) “but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
2) The Word of the Lord/Christ - Jesus Christ is the Centre in the word of the Lord. Colossians 3:16 'Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. '
3) The Word of Prophecy - The word that God gave to us is not out of human prophet interpretation, its God’s Holy Spirit that was breathed to the Prophets / teachers to write the word. So we out to revere when we read this Bible as its a direct reading from God. Nothing is irrelevant in Bible. All has a meaning / context. 2 Peter 1:21 (NIV) 'For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.'
4) The Word of the Gospel — The word is for us like Gentiles to hear the gospel and believe in Faith, its a Good news message to mankind from Jesus. Acts 15:7 (NIV) 'After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. '
5) The Word of Salvation / freedom from Sin - The message of Salvation that we read in Bible which makes us flee from Sin. The world is filled with Sin, every day we are called to shed the Sin thats around us and live a sin free life only the word can set us free Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 'For the word of God is alive and active. ..“
6) The Word of Reconciliation - The word of God acts as a reconciliation bridge between us and God by comforting the things that will eliminate the Sin from our life and committing us to reconcile to the Father. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) 'that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. '
7) The Word of God’s Grace & Faith - God’s word gives us the Grace (“God and to the word of his grace,”). We revive ourself to be sanctified in Faith by reading the word. Acts 20:32 (NIV) '“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. '
8) The Word of Truth - Its the word of truth that helps us fight the battle when we stand in front of Satan, it helps us fight the deceptions & Lies of Satan. 2 Corinthians 6:7 (NIV) 'in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; '
9) The Word of Life — A message that expels darkness. It’s our breath we hold till eternity. If we hold this word till the last breath - then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NIV) 'as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. '
10) The Word of Righteousness — We are dependent on the word of God to lead us and teach us so that we become righteous like Jesus. Hebrews 5:13 (NIV) 'Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. '
Old Testament vs New Testament
There are many when they start reading Bible are confused to say, should I read only the old testament and ignore new testament and vice versa. Every Word of Bible is God’s breath ,nothing can be ignored. We need to understand the key differences.
1) Law vs Works of Law
Old Testament is filled with the Laws given by God to Moses - Deuteronomy 6:24-25 'The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”’
New Testament - Jesus did mention he never came to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill them so that our actions can lead to righteousness in his sights by the work of our hands. Matthew 5:17. (NIV) ' “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. '
The Law is like a thermometer; it cannot cure fever!
The Law simply unmasks sin Romans 3:20 (NIV) 'Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. '
The works of Law is fulfilled by the Faith we have in Christ. Once we have Faith we are credited with deeds to do the following Repentance, confession of sins, water baptism, communion, reconciliation, restitution, etc., etc., which leads us to works that makes us righteous in God’s eyes.
Just by the righteousness of Law alone, we can never enter God’s kingdom - Matthew 5:20 (NIV) 'For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. '
2) Priesthood Vs Priesthood of all believers
In the Old Testament , priesthood was confined to one tribe namely Levi Hebrews 7:5 (NIV) 'Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. '
In New Testament - The work of Christ in Cross - He became the High Priest because of His Sonship Hebrews 5:5 (NIV) 'In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” '
We are not priests according to the “Levitical order.” We are made priests because we are the “sons and daughters” of God! . Because all the children of God are priests, they are simply “brothers and sisters” Matthew 23:8 ' “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. '
3) Temple of God vs Worship God in Spirit
In Old testament way the instruction was to worship God in place, and its there among all the people (tribes), every offering etc.. was to be done only in that place, Only the Levite priest can enter the holy inner sanctum . People were allowed to enter the outer sanctum and offered the blood of Goats / bulls / pigeon's at the outer sanctum to cleanse their sins.
Deuteronomy 12:5,13 'But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please. '
In New Testament - The work of Christ in Cross, he tore the temples veils so that the inner sanctum and outer sanctum is separated by the work of Christ on the Cross. We are no longer separated to worship God only in temples, as he lives in us in Spirit - Matthew 27:50-51 (NIV) 'And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split '
There is no forms of Idols to be worshiped in Chruch, As God is in the form of Spirit and we worship by Spirit 2 Corinthians 5:5,7 (NIV) 'Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. For we live by faith, not by sight. '
4) Physical / Material Blessing vs Spiritual blessings
Old Testament Blessing
Blessing to Abraham was mostly material blessing Genesis 24:35-36 (NIV) 'The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. '
Blessing to Job - Job 42:12 (NIV) 'The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. '
New Testament
The emphasis is to seek God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness and all earthly blessing will be given when we see first seek his kingdom. Matthew 6:33 NIV But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
New Testament blessing for us is Spiritual Blessing - Holiness, Sonship, Grace, Redemption, Forgiveness, Riches of Grace, Inheritance, Salvation, Holy Spirit, etc. Ephesians 1:3-10 (NIV) 'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. '
5) Tithes vs Giving in Secret
Old Testament according to the Law - One had to give 1/10 of all they earn. Deuteronomy 14:22 'Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. '
New Testament - Giving is based on what you decide in Heart. Giving is not compulsion, giving should be done in secret.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV) 'But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. '
In the New Testament the legalistic value of observing special days of a month of year is Gone as it was done in Old Testament days. Galatians 4:8-11 'Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. '
When you are born again in Christ, the new takes precedence and Old is Gone. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
How to Meditate the Bible
People read the Bible, but Bible “meditation” is becoming extinct. As the Bible calls us to meditate it day and night.
Josh 1:8 - 'Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. '
Psalms 1:2 - ‘but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. '
While reading a Bible passage, it is not enough to know what it SAYS, we must also understand what it MEANS. This is where meditation is indispensable.
Things to know on Mediation
Bible Meditation involves us to read the Bible Slowly, repeatedly and understand that word by word. When we show the eagerness to understand ,the Spirit of God will help us reveal the inner meaning of the verse which we cannot understand with our own wisdom.
Many Christians limit their meditations to their favourite texts, passages or books, We are called to study the WHOLE Bible as it will help to teach us something new, rebuke our wrong behaviour, correct our walks and train to go in the right way. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Old Testament and New Testament are the two “lips” of God. So its important to understand from both Old Testament and New Testament
There’s nothing unnecessary in the Bible. every comma, full stop every word has a meaning — Romans 15:4 .'For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. '
In this computer age we need everything faster, We tend to see conventional ones outdated. In Mediation there is no fast shortcuts, Acquiring of “knowledge” can be fast; but receiving the “message” from God takes time. so you need to devote the time to learn from God.
Meditating the Bible is not just reading it — You must read until you “hear!” So your ears / eyes and heart have to be inside the word to hear what God is speaking to you.
Do not be lazy to look for references to understand with Aids, Don’t stop where you are. God’s knowledge is like a sand in seashore, it cannot stop on what you do today, it has to be till last breath after which God will reveal to us many things which we did not understand in eternity.
The Bible is a supernatural Book, A divine Book cannot be understood without divine help. So do not try to approach the Bible as learned Professors to learn for knowledge. God expects in us a childlike attitude.
Do not ignore the context of the Reading, understand with 5 - W’s
WHO said it?
To or about WHOM was it said?
WHEN was it said?
WHERE was it said?
WHY was it said?
When you meditate the word of God, there are things God will ask to Obey, Delayed obedience leads to many blessings being lost.
Practical Tips for successful meditation.
1) Read through the entire Bible once every year or twice. I try to make it once a year. Use Bible Reading Calendars (https://odb.org/) is a good reference to look for. You can refer to any Calendar that suits you.
2) Don’t worry if you don’t understand many harder text.
The question marks of the first reading will become exclamation marks in subsequent readings!
Unlike other textbooks, the Bible is the same for all age groups and spiritual levels. So you will not understand everything in the first instance itself. It’s for lifetime!
If we neglect any portion of the Bible, we will be like a “half-baked” bread! (Hos 7:8)
What we don’t understand here on earth will be understood in eternity (1 Cor 13:9-12).
3) Set up a time for meditating, do not compromise that time for anything (Even urgent work). I typically have set up time to meditate in the morning, some time if I need to go out of town, wake early to meditate before I leave. Don’t take an excuse for travel as a reason not to meditate. Think of Meditation as the Oxygen for your day, ensure you get enough oxygen before you start the day.
4) Meditating the word of God initially will start with a minimum of 30 min, once you taste and see the Lord is Good and sweeter than honey, this time should increase more and more. God will strengthen you with his wisdom and revelation as you grow.
5) Do not neglect Prayer because you have meditated the word of God. Some people spend lot of time in Bible study, but very little time in prayer; whereas others spend lot of time in prayer, but too little time in Bible study. Both must be avoided. There must be a healthy balance.
6) Keep a Dedicated Notebook for Bible meditation to note down what you understood (Scribble down what you learnt). My experience - I typically note what I do each day and end of the month look back on what I learnt and thank God for his guidance throughout the month. It has helped me grow in knowledge and also help me build a thankful heart to God for his grace and mercy. As years pass by, you look back you see how you were a baby and how you have matured to eat lot more meatier food from God.