Six Things You Should Reject About the Bible

There are six things about the bible every Christian disciple should reject.

Reject the bible is just a book. 

It is the eternal holy communication between God and man. Psalms says it's a" light unto my path". John said the "Word was God "and the "Word put on flesh". Getting God's into your heart and mind is the closest we will come this side of heaven to touching Christ. When the word touches us, we  become the hands and feet of Christ by doing the things He taught us, putting flesh on the word today. 
Reject the bible is wrong.  The bible says the "...word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. (Psalms 119:160 KJV)" Either it is the word of God or it isn't. If it isn't, why should anyone listen to anything a bunch of dead guys from 2000 years ago say? If it is, we should treat it as such. The Word of God isn't a recipe book you get to customize by substituting ingredients. Isn't it convienant how some can quote those cotton candy verses from Paul's letters that melt in your mouth but can't stomach the verses where he qualifies pastors, church leaders, or speaks to discipline. If it is the Word of God, and we reject any part of it to make us more comfortable, we have traded the cross for a couch.

Reject the bible is at odds with science. Theories definitely, but not provable observational science. The bible encourages us to learn about God 'a creation. See Psalm 111.2  Whatever natural laws exist, it is God who creates and enforces them. The bible never called us to ignorance. Likewise, it never called us to arrogance. It's a spiritual book. Science is limited to the natural. 

Reject the bible shouldn't be taken literally. Sure, there is some figurative language used in the bible. Still, when the bible calls something a sin that is what it is. When the bible says for us think a certain way, act a certain way, operate our homes and churches a certain way, we should do it. 

Reject the bible doesn't apply to today. Jesus said that "man doesn't live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. "The bible has always been spiritual food. Now, just as much as ever, man needs to be spirit fed.

Reject the bible's authors don't speak with the authority of Christ. Including but not limited to Paul . Many people in church today reject the teachings of Paul. Paul's tough! On at least one occasion, Paul corrected Peter. If Paul's teaching is so controversial, why don't we just forget about it? There's a good reason and it isn't because he wrote most of the New Testament. It's not just because he was excepted by the disciples. Though he was the greatest covert, pastor, missionary, and church planter in the history of the world,  though he endured chains, stones, and lost his life in his service to Jesus Christ, Paul's accolades should not inspire our obedience. In Galations chapter one, Paul says the gospel he preached was the only gospel there is and that Jesus Christ had revealed it to him. To reject Paul's revelation means also to reject his  conversion, something those who knew Jesus best did not do. Here's why that's a big deal. Jesus said to his apostles in Luke 10 :16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me". 

We can reject the bible just like we can reject Christ. Those, who respond to His word through repentance and growth, will never know His rejection. How do you respond to His word?

A Little Snip Never Hurt Anybody.

Long before Rick Warren joked with presidential hopeful, Barak Obama, during the 2008 debates, often I would say, " it's not about about me." Like all great words of wisdom, they are trifling harder to do than to say. As humble a servant of Jesus I would like to be, I fail. I fail both constantly and consistently. I fail monumentally. I fail in all areas but none so hard and fast as in humility. Man could sooner unravel the fabric of time and knit it back again than to be conscious of his own humility. The moment he becomes aware of it, instantaneously he is seduced by his vanity. It is horrifying, once you understand any and everyone's best attempt at being charitable is an extension of their selfish motives. It would be a viscous, never ending cycle except for God's grace.

 God's grace is so beautiful to those who know it. Parents name their daughters for it. Developers name roads for it. Singers sing about it. Preachers preach about. You can't earn it or get more of it, but you can learn more about it. The more you learn about God's grace, the more addictive to it you become. After my recent surgery, and throughout the recovery process , I have been reminded the free gift of God's grace comes the less palatable free gift of God's discipline.

Just a few days before the operation, my mother came to visit me. In her attempt to calm my anxieties about my health, we surveyed my lawn. Her lawn looks like a picture from Better Homes & Garden magazine and she has helped make my landscaping a success. As she pointed out my problems and progress we stopped at my rose bush. My rose's were picturesque. Surely my mother would praise my efforts. Instead, she predictably informed me on how to improve them. " They are beautiful son, but they need pruning if you want them to produce more blooms". She went on to explain that the growth had maxed out the bush. Since the light could no longer penetrate the plant, the existing blooms would exhaust the plant and stifle new growth. So the next day I began to do as she suggested. I have never seen a more pitiful rose, but I trusted her. I new she wanted to help me and knew her knowledge of roses surpassed mine, immensely.

During the process, I knew that God was about to do the same thing in my life. Both spiritually and physically , He was removing things that were hindering my ability to grow. He was going to snip off of me, ( no pun intended) whatever needed to go, in order to get more of His light to penetrate. Jesus says it like this, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ²  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit John 15 :8." I knew His knowledge surpassed mine and that I must trust Him. Here are a couple of revelations:                                                      

No pain no gain. The moment I awoke from the surgery, I was in less pain than before. I knew I was on the way to recovery. Still, I would not have chosen this path for myself. Now the pain from the surgery is almost a memory. Looking back, this time afforded me time with my girls during the summer. Also, I was able to study, reflect, and  meditate, in capacities I never had before. I would not trade this time to pain free. 

Sometimes it is about me. So I can glorify Him of course. My feeble efforts in humility are only matched by nearsighted logic. In my wholehearted willingness to convey to the world Christ in my life, I would say, "It's not about me." Unknowingly, robbing God of praise for His love of me. Maybe it was the attention I got during my hospital stay and recovery but seeing all this equipment set up for my benefit, and so many people working on me, and some many people praying for me, got me to thinking. God had planned all this for me. The Holy Spirit brought my name to my praying friends. He planned and  provided for me. He even made time to prune me.He will do the same for anyone. St. Irenaeous said," The glory of God is man fully alive." Likewise, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John10:10" My life is about Him, because his death was about me. If He loves me enough to die for me, I can trust Him with the pruning and with the results.

Where the Mountain Meets the Valley.

There are many mountains and valleys along every christain journey and mine is no exception. I don't think I have ever experienced as many highs and lows in any one month as May of 2012. The surprise birthday party with 50 + members of my family and friends was just awesome. If you had a part in that, let me say thank you. Still, turning 40 does something psychologically to you, and it ain't pretty. Coupled with that, I have been fighting my first ever long lasting infirmary, epididymitus, ( look it up later, for now take my word for it it's painful) for the last three months. In just a few days, my Dr. will decide if surgery is the answer. Between the pain, the uncertainty, and the incapitations that comes along with it, I  have been battling more than just a medical condition. I have been wrestling more than flesh and blood. I have tried to keep an open mind.  It is true what they say, " idol hands is the devil's workshop". Keeping busy, has afforded me easy victories in spiritual battles but during this ordeal , keeping " an open mind" has been my greatest enemy. Frankly, I have had some pretty sinful  thoughts, lately. Spiritually speaking, I  am exhausted. It goes without saying, I want nothing to hinder my relationship to Christ. Let me share some specifics of what kept these sinful thoughts from becoming sinful actions.
First things first, My GOD. Understand this is a honest opening of my heart and not an attempt to be self righteous. My problems are minute compaired to other people. But I know they are important me and  to God. It seems too easy to say God helped me.To simply admit to the fear of God, as real as it is, does not do justice to a relationship with Him. I feared a strain in our relationship just from the thoughts I was having. I recognized these thoughts were sins. Trying to channel self serving thoughts is futile in your own strength, I asked for His help and God interviened. Here is how.
My church. This isn't an advertisement for my church, but it is a great church.  God's plan involves it. For my protection and His purpose God has used this church. Get yourself to a Bible teaching church!!!I can't tell you how many one liners from sermons I thought I had forgotten came back as I contiplated. I never really cared what people thought of me but as a volunteer there, I felt a certain responsibility to walk the walk. My church lead me to my MY group.
MY Group. Here is where the story gets interesting,  I have never been a part of a close group like this before. I will never be without one again. Something happens in a my group. I can't explain it but there is a connection.You share your weaknesses and somehow the group gets stronger. Nothing helped me through this more than my group. Partially, because some of these same issues we had discussed at one of the meetings. And just by chance (right) I found that particular study guide at my lowest moment. Additionally, these personal connections were so strong, I could not possibly bring myself to shame infront of these godly men and women. I thank God for my MY Group.
Last things last, My God.  He is the first and the last. I had to force myself to pray and read the bible throughout this.I had to remind myself of many things God word says. Like Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. The key being take delight in Him.( that means He will be what your heart desires)
  One of the passages I came across was Proverbs 3 . The whole chapter was like water to a parched thirst but verses 7-8. really stuck out.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. 
   Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

Charles Stanley once said" God did not call us to an open mind but to an open book." I'd do better to remember that.  
.  From the peaks you just enjoy the view of the valley.Mountains are appreciated from the valley. All mountain climbs begin in the valley.I am convinced that the deeper the valley that God brings you to, the higher the mountain He is preparing you to climb.  I am not sure this battle is over. I am sure God has already won the war. I am sure I don't have to climb this mountain alone.