It’s all about me……right?

Dr. John MacArthur recently posted an article on the Pulpit Magazine. The magazine started as an online publication to pastors who were members of the Shepherds’ Fellowship but has been opened up for generally viewing pleasure and interaction. I can tell you that this will be a frequently visited site for me. The article Dr. MacArthur posted on Sept 5 entitled What Does This Verse Mean “to Me”? hits home with me. The article speaks to the fact that we have become a “me” generation. We want everything to apply to our current situation and circumstances. Instead of looking for proactive advice, we run to God’s Word as a reactive measure. We look for the Bible to solve our woes and problems. We search out Scripture that will be applicable to our live in a way that benefits us personally. What we don’t do is is search out a true exegetical analysis of the text. Instead, we tend towards eisegesis.

I have a deep desire to learn more about theology and what the Bible teaches. I want to learn so that I can apply to my life, but I don’t want to read into the Scriptures what fits my situation. All too often, I hear people quote Scripture out of context (yes, this includes myself!) without regard to the true meaning of the Scripture. Where this becomes a huge challenge for me is that I am not well trained or knowledgeable as an exegete. I do feel like the Lord will reveal to me exactly what I need to do, but that doesn’t preclude the fact that I should view the exegetical analysis from other reliable sources.

My prayer would be that the Lord give me a heart to search for the true meaning of the Scriptures and not the meaning I desire. I want to know the Lord deeply and passionately. I want to live my life in a way pleasing to the Lord. I want to be used by the Lord for His purposes. That becomes very difficult when all I do is build a box around Him and limit Him to my finite understanding of a few key passages. Instead, I need to rely on the Lord to open my eyes, my heart and my soul to what He is telling everyone in the God-breathed Scriptures.

Thanks again, John, for your incredible wisdom and insight. It gave me reason to reflect on my own practices. I hope that my awareness will positively impact not only myself but those around me as I continue to study, learn and apply the Lord’s instructions.