How Readest Thou? Part 4- Line Upon Line – Trusting in Jesus
Line upon Line- Trusting in Jesus
By: Tim Danielson
The article below is part four of our series exploring both practical and purposeful approaches in studying God’s Word. Recently, Once Lost Ministries reached out to several seasoned born-again believers, asking questions concerning their view and sincere study of Scripture in an effort to further equip and encourage believers from falling for any of the abundant pitfalls plaguing today’s “Christianity”.
“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him” Proverbs 30:5
When the lawyer asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus didn’t simply send him back to the Old Testament. Jesus took him deeper. He asked a very serious question with the purpose of exposing the lawyer’s heart. (Luke 10:26)
Jesus not only challenged the lawyer’s direction but also his intention in reading the Bible.
This is often a missing piece when going to Scripture. The Bible isn’t a self-help book! It’s not some sort of mystical methodology! Let us all humbly consider why are we really reading God’s Word.
~Flynn Huseby (Once Lost Ministries)
“Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line…”
Isaiah 28:9a-10a
Question: How did the Lord lead you to Him?
Answer: I was raised in a Lutheran minister’s home. My dad was a conservative Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor already for 20 plus years when I came along in 1959. He continued to preach into his eighties.
Though I was told otherwise, (in keeping with their Lutheran tradition of infant baptism), I do not count myself born again until I was 22. But being surrounded by God’s Word and sometimes listening on Sunday’s growing up, I was certainly familiar with Scripture, and I’m confident that it did not return void. Because of this, as I got older, I never doubted Jesus was the only begotten Son of God Who died for our sins and rose from the dead, ascending to the right hand of the Father. I never wrestled with the truth of the Triune God. I never doubted that Jesus is God with the Father and the Holy Spirit from all eternity. Even though I didn’t doubt, I definitely did not fully understand it either.
Since the church my dad pastored was a few miles out of town, I spent a lot of time alone as a child. I certainly made attempts to have friends, and eventually turned to using drugs and drinking. At this point in my life, I did not count it important to retain the Word of God. Then, tragically, I lost a good friend to a car crash. That was the first time I looked up and asked why. However, it would be another two years before I sincerely trusted in Jesus for my salvation.
Out of hope to find companionship, I moved to a new town and eventually took up guitar lessons from John, who turned out to be a believer. I saw the little Christian fish on his door and was familiar with that. He had me learning Christmas songs in June, which I thought was a little strange. Even though my lessons were finished after six weeks, I’d still stop into his shop for guitar supplies. John was genuinely a caring guy who was happy to graciously give anyone his attention. This made me feel comfortable to lay on him some of my troubles for a little advice. One day, he asked, “Do you think you’re going to Heaven?” I remember making up some sort of scenario how I’d somehow do enough right things, thinking I was a good enough person. Wouldn’t you know it? He had to mention how Jesus would rather that I was hot or cold instead of being lukewarm, getting spit out of His mouth. I had never heard that one growing up in the Lutheran church!
After a year or so, John invited me to a home Bible study where I saw and heard firsthand how he and others were handling the Word of God with faith and simplicity. The way they approached the Bible made it clear that the Person being discussed, Jesus, was real and present on every page and in these people’s lives. By that time, I was confident I could pray/talk to God anywhere and anytime about anything. So later, when I was alone in my apartment, I called on the name of Jesus to be saved and put my trust in Him. I began hanging around with many Christians, going to Bible studies and Sunday services.
Sometime later, during a Christian concert, I heard many exhortations for holiness being put forth. I got back to my apartment knowing these things were impossible for me. The focus on perfectionism instead my perfect Savior was clear. I simply gave up on trying to sort out though things. Later, I came to find out that much of was really being discussed was legalism. But it brought me to a place when I said out loud for the first time, “I love you, Jesus!” He chose that moment to give me just a small taste of His peace that goes beyond description. I could say at that time I genuinely knew with that I was born again. I knew I was saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Upon being born again and understanding the Word more deeply, there were times when I experienced a heart burning from the truth I was comprehending.
Question: Over the years, what ways have you found helpful in the study of God’s Word?
Answer: The church I attended did a good job teaching verse by verse through the whole Bible. This is commonly called expository teaching. However, in the 90s, I had the opportunity to learn inductive Bible study at Precepts Ministries in Chattanooga, TN. Before that point, I neither knew the existence of nor considered the difference between “deductive” and “inductive” Bible study. Deductive studies typically lean heavily on starting with commentaries written by others. Often, non-contextual speculation is also relied upon for interpretation.
But this (new to me) inductive Bible study tool utilized simple observation of the words in context. Inductive studies typically focus on word studies and tenses, which are then followed by interpretation, and finally we make application. I realized I could know with personal confidence what the author of each book in the Bible was teaching.
We were always told to be Bereans (Acts 17:11- “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”) But instead of now simply looking up the verses and then immediately relying on manmade commentaries, I now had the skills to dig into God’s Word on my own. This then allowed the Word of God to interpret itself, along with the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness of whether what I was understanding is true or not. Some have said the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. This opened a much greater certainty of how to apply Scripture to every situation. This lifetime skill has also been invaluable in my students.
Question: What is one thing you’d like to remind people as they’re growing in their study of the Bible?
Answer: I’ve come to realize and sometimes even embrace that there are things I may not understand immediately or perhaps until I see Jesus in Heaven. Despite the temptation to theorize, I know with certainty that God neither contradicts Himself nor lies. So I confidently know that I have to be okay with waiting on a specific answers rather than seek to quickly offer man’s wisdom or my own temporal speculation just to fill a “gap”. Learning to settle central, sound doctrines – and avoid the occasional dispute that cause division is freeing. I genuinely really don’t mind saying “I don’t know” about some of things that tend to cause division among believers. I wonder why some seem to pursue controversy more than others when there are many things we simply will not know in this life.
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
Question: Do you have any other nuggets as final reminders to share with readers?
Answer: Jesus Christ is all and in all to those who trust Him for His eternal truth, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, salvation, life, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and eternity ahead. As we wait for the Lord’s return, let us always remember that His Word never changes! It is always fresh for today, continuing to sustain us no matter what. God’s Word ministers in each and every one of our lives and circumstances. God Word is alive and gives eternal life for all who choose to humbly come to Jesus.
Tim Danielsen
Pastor at Grace of Life Fellowship Appleton, WI