Have you ever had an experience in your life that put a wobble in your faith? Early in my marriage, there were problems. I’ve had attacks from Christians, some intending pain and some accidentally inflicting it. Even had foreshadowing as my kids were growing up that there would be some “going off the rails” down the road. Never have I had an experience before this week that would cause such a wobble in my walk with Jesus. Deception and rejection where I had thought there would be forthrightness and acceptance all of our days.
Before this week, I don’t think there was ever a time I thought to myself, “I can’t go on. God doesn’t have my good in mind. I’m alone in my magnitude of suffering.”
Enter Ephesians 1:3-14. Because I’ve had you to study with, I have applicable truths to cling to right where we’ve been marinating. In these verses, Paul is broken out in worship because of the activity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit not only in the present moment, but from time before there was time, and time that hasn’t yet been.
Confession
Now that we have more nuanced understanding of the words Paul used, we can more accurately see the truth he wrote to us. However, I must confess, the most challenging aspect to the discipline of Bible study is the application.
Texts to diagram? I can do that.
There are cross references to examine? I’ll make lists.
Key words are present? Let’s look them up.
Applications to be written? I’m a calf at a new gate.
In reality though, if we fail to apply the scripture to our lives, we are failing at Bible study in its entirety. Since I have a weakness in this area, I will struggle to exercise and improve my application muscles. My first step? Ask an expert.
Roy B. Zuck, in his book Basic Bible Interpretation, says in his chapter called “Applying God’s Word Today,”
Christians tend to make one of two errors in applying the Bible. Either they give too little attention to application or they give too much attention to it.
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Yes, I’m guilty of this. Without finishing the process of Bible study and bridging the gap between interpretation and application, I have not successfully appropriated the knowledge. It will stay in my head without having impact in my heart. What I’ve noticed as my pattern is I learn the knowledge and then as I wander around in my life, I see how it applies. But I would like to develop the skill and discipline to be able to see it within the process and write it down. Without having record of the desire to make changes in my heart, how will I have the ability to remember and make those changes over time?
As I’ve been in church for a while, I’ve noticed another pattern. One where there is a reading of a text and the immediate leap to “what does it mean to you?” Honestly, you can’t decide that until the more pressing question of “what does it mean?” gets answered. Zuck goes on in his application chapter to caution us:
Unfortunately many people go to the Bible for a “blessing” or for guidance for the day, ignoring the interpretive process altogether. In their intense desire to find something devotional or practical, Christians sometimes distort the original meaning of some passages of Scripture. To bypass the purpose and original meaning of the passage, looking for a subjective impression, can lead to a serious misuse of the Bible. Without proper interpretive controls, people can attempt to make the Bible mean almost anything they want it to mean.
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As we proceed together to improve, we will fight against both the tendency to place too much emphasis or not the right kind of emphasis on the discipline of application. I must say, though, actually taking the step of writing out applications is a little like in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when Professor Young says, “Do a forward dive roll from standing. Just tuck your head and roll.” Um. That’s scary and seems like a bad idea. But ok, here we go.
Application Rough Drafts
One of the recommendations in Zuck’s book for how to effectively apply God’s word is to use the phrase “I will. . .” followed by an action word. You can keep me accountable as I try this out.
Since God the Father has previously blessed me (provided me with benefits), chosen me (had a preference for a purpose and effect) and predestined me (had a plan for me ahead of time) for acceptance into his family, I will trust him in the future that his attention toward me will not be for my harm. It has been for my good in the past, it will not change because these things are according to his will.
In Christ, I have redemption, the forgiveness of trespasses. Since I am no longer guilty, I will walk in freedom from shame.
Not Quite There Yet
Hm. Yay me for trying out my application wings, but that is too general. I’m reminded of another excerpt from Zuck.
Also be specific. Saying, “I should be more like Jesus,” or “I should love my wife more,” or “I will try to control my anger better” are inadequate. Rather than saying “I should love my wife more,” be specific, by saying something like this: “I will take my wife out dinner this Friday evening.” Or, “On my way home from work Thursday I will buy my wife some flowers.” Or “I will not criticize my wife any time this weekend.”
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See? I’m being too general. Let me try again.
Second Attempt
Since God has previously been active and predetermined for my good, when I doubt him, I will rehearse how God is presently active for my good. I will count my blessings.
In Christ I have redemption, the forgiveness of trespasses. I will agree with God that it was wise and insightful to lavish his grace upon me. I am not more holy than God when I decide that I can’t be forgiven of some sin.
Hey! I got a little more specific! I will rehearse, I will count, I will agree. Thinking about using “I will. . .”, using action words, being specific, and making it personal (using I, me), I will try some more applications.
Another Principle of Application
Here’s another attempt:
All things will be will be reorganized under the headship of Christ in the fullness of time (in the future). I will watch for ways that I can in the present reorganize my life to make Christ more my head right now.
Zuck teaches:
Recognize that application can be in the form of improved attitudes as well as in improved actions. Attitudinal responses may take longer to develop.
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Watching for ways seems like it might be an attitudinal response. As I was thinking about how to execute such an application, I was thinking that as I study scripture I would watch for what the Word says about how my life should be ordered. It’s a mental highlight to be on the lookout for ways Christ should be head.
One More
This application is close to home this week:
I have heard the gospel and believed. I have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. I have been marked as God’s possession (which as the original audience would have understood from that word seal) providing me with protection, a guarantee, and proof of identity. I will rejoice in the comfort of belonging to God my Father. It is to the praise of his glory.
Remember that I said I’ve had one the biggest wobbles of my spiritual journey this week? It’s been a dandy to have one of the people that I most trusted betray me. But here I am ruminating on a section of scripture where Paul is practically beside himself in worship and adoration of all the members of the trinity. I will join him.
- I will rehearse how God is presently active
- I will count his blessings
- I will agree that it is wise and insightful to not only forgive me but his other kids
- I will rejoice in the comfort of belonging to my Dad even when I am rejected in an earthly relationship
Right where I’m at. God is right here ministering to my soul. How is it for you? Are you successfully identifying applications for your own life?
Personal Note of Warning
It’s been a rough week. May I please caution you, fellow student of the Word, to allow the Spirit to work on the hearts of others? Please be on guard against applying what you apply to your life to other’s hardships. Be slow and contemplative to speak truth to your brothers and sisters who are hurting. Who are having the foundations of our souls shaken. As a sufferer this week, may I please entreat you to come alongside the brokenhearted and enter into the pain with less advice and counsel and more empathy. Let the pain do the renovation of the heart. All we who are hurting need is for you to help us carry the pain. No truth will ease the pain. It just is.
Please do not hear condemnation if you’ve ever found yourself in a position where you’ve been the advising and counseling person and not the empathetic one. I do not believe we can fully understand the concept of empathy. I believe that we are on a journey to learn what it looks like. If you haven’t got it nailed, neither do I. Neither does anyone else perfectly. But let’s attempt to administer healing. Jesus didn’t condemn a person who was already weighed down; he cupped their face in his hands and lifted it up with compassion and love to look them in the eyes and say, “I came for you.” Let us do the same.
Conclusion
Selfishly, our Bible Study Bite for today is mostly for my edification. I will apply the observation and interpretation to my own heart. After I answer the question “what does this mean?” I will ask the question “what does this mean to me?” I pray for you that you’ve been able to grow with me and will continue along with me so we can grow together. Let’s have the knowledge move through the head and beeline for the heart.
Next time we will determine what our next passage is and begin the process again starting with the sentence diagram. I’m excited for a new part of the forest!
