📖 The context matters

I. The context in which we find Bible verses matters. Just like a sentence in a letter or book, if you simply pluck one sentence out, you can make it sound like the author is saying any number of things that the context would clearly rule out.

For example, in Galatians 3:27–28, we get this beautiful passage about salvation:

“For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

It’s not hard to come across many examples of people using this verse to say things that Paul is clearly not saying. Galatians 3 is centered on justification by faith rather than works, and these verses come at the end of his argument that salvation is for anyone who places their faith in Christ, not in works.

Paul is not saying ethnic distinctions cease to exist. It is very obvious they do not. He is not saying biological sex does not matter. Paul has a lot to say about the distinctness of men and women in many of his writings.

He is not saying every Christian has the same role or function; Galatians 3 has nothing to do with church leadership structures.

And he is not saying all social relationships or authority structures disappear. We still have parents and bosses and leaders.

The context of the book of Galatians makes it very clear what Paul is talking about here — justification by faith alone, which is open to all who trust in Christ.

If you ever read or hear someone talking about a Bible verse in a way that sounds off or different from how you’ve heard it taught before, often they are using a verse to say something it is clearly not saying when you read it in its context.

———————-

II. One thing that has always stood out to me in all the weddings I have been to and officiated is how the spiritual condition of the bride and/or groom is so clearly reflected in their wedding party.

Mature believers always, without exception, have people in their wedding party who are also mature and faithful followers of Jesus. Not that everyone in the wedding party will be or has to be, but the spiritual condition of the bride and groom is always reflected in the overall spiritual condition of their wedding party.

Wedding parties literally are the embodiment of Proverbs 13:20:

“The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Want to be a maturing follower of Jesus? Surround yourself with others who are also pursuing that same goal.

Stephen Charnock on what is actually bad:

“Adversity is not always an absolute evil, nor is prosperity always an absolute good. Rather both are indifferent, and either may be used for the honour or the dishonour of God.

Sin is the only thing that is absolutely evil, as it is always dishonouring to God. Holiness—and a likeness to God, for His glory alone—is the only thing in the world that is absolutely good.”

Only in Christianity can you know, without question, your standing before God.

All other religions and ideologies ultimately leave you with something you must do, achieve, or become in order to reach their final goal.

Unfortunately, you can never know if you have done enough, so hopefully whoever is in charge is having a good day when you die.

Yet, one of the many clear signs that Christianity is not simply another man-made religion is that it teaches something fundamentally different — you are saved by grace through faith, and it is not your doing but the Lord’s.

You can literally know your standing before God based on what you have done with Jesus. If you submit to and trust in him, his sacrifice covers you. If you have not, you will remain dead in your sins.

How amazing that we don’t have to wonder whether we are right with God. The human tendency is to do. But with God, it is done.

Jesus is the only way.

Dust to Dust by Jen Wilkin

A book about aging, aging wisely, and what our culture gets wrong about aging.

This book addresses a rare and much-needed topic, especially for Christians wanting to faithfully live out their days in a culture that idolizes youth.

It is a sobering read, as you can't help but think of your own mortality and decline while reading it. Yet it is a wise and needed resource for thinking well and biblically about this topic.

It's not a captivating read, though I don't think any book on this topic would be. But it is good, and the older you are, the more I would recommend it. While weighty, it is also helpful, encouraging, and reassuring about the goodness that comes with aging.

The topic itself is much needed, and while the book is not long, it is a slower read, in part because of the inevitable personal reflection that happens while reading it.

I'm glad to have read it. While it wasn't always the most engaging read, the content is worthwhile and the topic is important enough that I would still recommend it.

7.5/10

I write about why what we can get out of going to church is not the primary reason we go.

So why should you go to church?

Click here to read some biblical thoughts on why church isn’t about you.

P.S. If a bagel can do it…