American author and humorist Mark Twain wrote: "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." It takes only a casual reading of the scripture to realize there is much about that Book and the God It reveals, that remains a mystery. But on every page, there's much that is understood, and the focus of our thoughts today.
Just yesterday morning in my own study time, after several days of pouring over three verses that I couldn't understand, I resorted to a commentary for possible insights. The resource didn't help much. Regarding the three verses in question it said, and I quote exactly: "These verses are difficult". Nothing else! Actually, I laughed out loud when I read it and moved on.
The verse that really "bothered" me preceeded this and it says: "Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil on my head; do not let my head refuse it." I don't need a commentary to understand what this is about. As a matter of fact, I'm kinda scared to look at one for fear of what else it might reveal!! Oooh!! The brokenness, humility and riveting fixation on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our Faith, that these few and simple-to-understand words demand.
I have a few more I could share with you, but if you're like me (not intending to project that at all on anyone...notice the word "if"), just this one's enough for a while! I've got to agree with Mark Twain. Ignorance is bliss, but with understanding comes responsibility and accountability and ...honestly, before a Holy God, that sounds pretty serious.
Think with me for a moment...what would happen if we took seriously only 10% of what we do understand and ordered our lives accordingly (as the Psalmist says, "...in the fear of the Lord")?
You may be there and doing even better, and in that, God and I applauds you! I suspect that for many of us though, there's room for improvement.
What verses are you understanding that bother you? Let me commend them to you and you to them so that the Hand of God, that is able, can be facilitated in the eternal work of the Kindgom...The King and His reign in you first, then, to a lost world desperately needing to see and experience God Life.... In a culture where authenticity is scarce, this could be so refreshing. It's "expensive"...but the payback is pretty phenomenal.
It reminds me of a favorite quote of St. Francis of Assisi: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words...."
Amazed,
Mitch
