There is a story of a man who wanted to find the will of God for his life, so he closed his eyes, flipped open his Bible and placed his finger on a verse. He opened his eyes and read, “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Matt. 27:5)
Not satisfied, but not deterred, he once again closed his eyes, reopened the Scriptures, put his finger on the page and opening his eyes he read, “Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37b)
Context is important my friends, but some tend to forget 2nd Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
Prophecy in this context means that the entire word of God fits together as a whole, the Lord Jesus Christ can be found in the Old Testament as readily as in the New, the mercies and grace of God are revealed on nearly every page.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6 is in perfect context with, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Because if you know all things work together for good you will never be anxious for anything, yet they do not follow each other on the same page.
To study the Scriptures is to seek the face of God, and since 1st Peter 1:21 is a truth. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Then the Holy Spirit is on every page, in every word.
The Book my friends, the Holy Bible is a miracle in and of itself, the miracle of the Living God revealing Himself to us.
Bible, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
Though centuries apart, these two verses are for us today.
“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17:26)
And
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;” (Luke 17:28)
My math may be off a few years here, but the last book written in the Scriptures is now over two thousand years old, yet each time I read it, I am shown something new, verses I may have not have found relevant at the time I first read them now reveal themselves as one of the most important in my life at that present moment.
His mercies are indeed new every morning.
But there is, for lack of a better word, a prerequisite, a need to stay in context, for cults and religious doctrines of evil men led by Satan have deceived many who do not do so. A single verse taken out of context can start the wrong kind of fire in a man’s heart and can lead many to hell instead of heaven.
The Roman Catholic cult is a prime example of this, inventing entire books in an attempt to cover their lies. The Charismatics, those whose supposed faith rests on a foundation of emotions expect John 14:14 to be answered each time. “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” But when it is not, they feel out of the Lord’s favor, and profess then that James 1:6 must be a truth in their lives. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
Context is not just important my friends, it is imperative if your desire is to fulfill 2nd Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
If you are going to hide His Word in your heart, it must be those that flow together like the living waters that they are, one verse firmly attaches to the next, all in context.
Think on the “Roman’s Road” here if you will, how many times has that been presented to another human being without Luke 13:3 being attached to it? “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
How many love Psalm 118:1, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” But do not like to add John 14:15 with it? “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
This verse fits perfectly with that verse and then that verse, and when they are all put together, you have the complete and inerrant Word of God, the Holy Bible.
It is why sometimes I suggest to those who ask what they should study next, I rarely mention a particular book of the Scriptures, but instead I suggest a certain topic. His love, His wrath, how to be holy, instances where it is absolutely necessary to have your full armor on. Even our adversary, “The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked:” (Prov. 21:12a)
Stay in context, do not pick and choose, you have all that our Father in heaven has seen fit to offer us.
Search every page for His face.
