{"id":4995,"date":"2018-11-29T23:58:22","date_gmt":"2018-11-29T23:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=4995"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:23:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:23:44","slug":"biblical-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/biblical-application\/","title":{"rendered":"Biblical Application: Authority of Scripture Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year we discussed the revelation<\/a>, inspiration<\/a>, canonization<\/a>, and preservation<\/a> of the Bible. In this last study, we turn to the biblical illumination<\/em> and biblical application<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Illumination<\/h2>\n

The Holy Spirit reveals meaning to people Jesus dwells in. That\u2019s the process of illumination. Someone with God\u2019s Spirit working in them can understand and obtain from a Bible text meaning that cannot be garnered by people without His Spirit, despite their age and education. How that happens, we don\u2019t know; it is still a mystery. When we come to the Messiah in faith, His Spirit illuminates the Bible:<\/p>\n

But as it is written: \u201cEye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.\u201d But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).<\/p>\n

God gives all<\/em> of us understanding. His wisdom is to put the cookies on the bottom shelf so that all His kids can reach them. We do not need somebody to tell us what the Bible means because, as 1 Corinthians 2:13 says. \u201cThese things we also speak, not in words which man\u2019s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches.\u201d This does not mean that teachers sharing their understanding provide no benefit (Acts 8:30, 31). It means that even if someone explains a Bible truth to us, we won\u2019t get it without God\u2019s Spirit opening our minds to understanding.<\/p>\n

Illuminating is comparing<\/h2>\n

So how does this process of the Holy Spirit teaching us, or illumination, happen? Paul says it\u2019s by \u201ccomparing spiritual things with spiritual.\u201d The Bible is understood best when compared with the Bible<\/em>. The Spirit compares what God has revealed with what God has revealed. One of the biggest reasons we don\u2019t understand something in the Bible is that we have not compared it with what God has revealed elsewhere in His Word. God\u2019s Spirit gives us that ability.<\/p>\n

Now notice Paul\u2019s warning in 1 Corinthians 2:14: \u201cBut the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them,<\/em> because they are spiritually discerned.\u201d Discern <\/em>means to come to a right conclusion on something. The Spirit of Christ makes that possible.<\/p>\n

Illumination involves explanation and interpretation, the challenges of study. It takes time to know what was meant for us. Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to \u201cBe diligent. . . .\u201d The word diligent<\/em> means meticulous, implying work over time. The verse continues, \u201cto present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed.\u202f.\u202f.\u202f.\u201d Why would you not need to be ashamed? Because you are \u201crightly dividing the word of truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Applying is obeying<\/h2>\n

Psalm 111:10 says, \u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. . . .\u201d How are we going to understand the wisdom of Scripture? Through obedience, as the verse concludes: \u201call those who practice it have a good understanding\u201d (ESV). We learn by doing. If you want to understand the mind of God, you have to apply it.<\/p>\n

Why do some people read and do<\/em>, while other people read and do not<\/em>? Are we convicted when we read the Bible? Do we see that it is talking to us? If so, that\u2019s the Holy Spirit, first illuminating the Word to convict our hearts and then moving us to apply it to our everyday lives.<\/p>\n

Going back to 2 Timothy, Paul says, \u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable\u201d for four things: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (3:16). The word translated from Greek as \u201ccorrection\u201d means the act of fixing something that\u2019s been broken. Instruction in righteousness<\/em> suggests disciplined education.<\/p>\n

What is the ultimate point of all this? Paul tells us: \u201cthat the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work\u201d (v. 17). The purpose of Scripture is to transform us, to make us complete, able to do God\u2019s will fully. You need instruction? That\u2019s your Book! You need to be convinced of something with proof? It\u2019s there! You\u2019re broken and need fixing? You got it! You need a disciplined spiritual education? That\u2019s there too. It\u2019s all there for you, at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

Transformed and reflecting<\/h2>\n

This Book has changed lives; the Bible changed my life. It can change yours too. But it doesn\u2019t matter how much illumination we have, how much explanation. If we don\u2019t have application, we\u2019ve missed the whole point \u2014 the whole benefit.<\/p>\n

Are you in love with the Bible? Do you yearn for it? Is your \u201csoul consumed with longing for [God\u2019s] laws at all times,\u201d as Psalm 119:20 says (NIV)? Is the Bible making a difference in your life? Does \u201cthe law of the Lord\u201d revive your soul and bring your heart joy, as it says in Psalm 19:7, 8? Probably not, if you aren\u2019t studying the Bible. If you are, it is making a difference.<\/p>\n

We have no light in ourselves. In Philippians 2:15, 16, Paul says that we \u201cshine as lights in the world . . . Holding forth the word of life\u201d (KJV). For the Greeks, that word light<\/em> was used for the light of the moon \u2014 not of itself, but reflected. We are the light of the world because we reflect the light from God\u2019s Word. The true source is the Sun of righteousness and the living Word (Malachi 4:2; John 1:1).<\/p>\n

Biblical authority<\/h2>\n

There is a power in the Word of God: \u201c\u2019Let there be light\u2019; and there was light\u201d (Genesis 1:3). Creation power! Yet beyond that is a power spoken of in Romans 1:16: \u201cthe power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.\u201d Gospel power! This Book contains a word of power that can change us, taking us from illusory lives of temporary, physical existence and turning us into something real and permanent and everlasting. That is a huge<\/em> power.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know where you are in your Bible study or what your study habits are, but I encourage you to study your Bible daily. If you don\u2019t already, start somewhere \u2014 maybe with the big books of Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah, the Gospels, or Romans. Or just start at the beginning and work your way through. But make it a habit. Don\u2019t let the day go by without having some time in the Bible while praying about it.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”We learn by doing. If you want to understand the mind of God, you have to apply it. – Gordon Feil”]<\/p>\n

The Bible has authority because it is God\u2019s Word for us and to us. It can impact our lives in a way that no other book can or ever will. We become as we behave. With the Spirit\u2019s guidance, let\u2019s read the Bible and apply it, and receive God\u2019s blessings for doing so.<\/p>\n

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Read the rest of the series:<\/p>\n