God's Words For Right Now
every day and every way
“In the Christian tradition . . . there is a unique conjoining of both halves of the inspirational dynamic [of God’s word]. God’s inspiration of the writer and God’s inspiration of the reader are two halves of a whole.”1
The above quote comes from M. Robert Mulholland Jr.’s book Shaped by the Word. He is saying that there are two ways that scripture is inspired. There was the moment when God inspired the writer of His word, and then there is the moment when God inspires us to act wisely in light of what we read. Like 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NIV)
We are the servants of God, and God inspires us to learn God’s ways through His words as we apply them to different situations. Like the Psalmter in 86:11a said,
“Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
We learn God’s ways, trusting He will remain faithful even as we make mistakes. And we practice God’s ways until we’re not conflicted about all our choices.
Understanding what the Bible talks about in its original context and time is one thing. It’s another skill to properly apply God’s word in our current situation through faith in Christ. This is the knowledge of good and evil. It’s what the children of God practice with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are being guided into all righteousness through Him (John 16:13).
I suppose it’s like a belt of tools. The Holy Spirit is teaching us what tool to use in what circumstance. The tools could be Bible verses, Bible characters, or themes in the Bible. (I also think the tools might include teachings from other Christians, wisdom from a book, other people’s life examples, an example from the natural world, a vision or dream etc.)
We might ask ourselves: Is this the right time to patiently wait like Abraham did for Isaac or is this a time for action and courage like God told Joshua? Is this a time to encourage and have compassion like Jesus modeled or is this a time for tough love like God handing the Israelites over to their oppressors?
Understanding how to use scripture appropriately is half of the equation of learning God’s ways, and it is a vital half. It is how we “put on” Christ. It’s how the Bible isn’t just a religious book for others, but the living word by which we live by. It’s why the same verse can strike us differently at different times of our lives.
God’s living and active word can help us no matter what we face even as we encounter things that scripture doesn’t talk about—automobiles, world travel, the education of women, the invention of guns, climate change, social media, A.I., political upheaval, and planning an eleven-year-old girl’s birthday party.
I find that very comforting. Don’t you?
Follow Up Questions
What’s an area of your life where you’d like guidance or direction?
What verses or stories in the Bible might apply to that situation?
Are you comfortable discerning what might apply to your circumstances or do you prefer someone else to discern for you?
To read more on this topic, click the link below.
M. Robert Mulholland Jr. Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation. Upper Room Books, 2000, Pg 44.
Amen!
Very good Abby!