I’m not really sure what my baby’s first word was. She said “mama, dada, baba” like chanting without attaching meaning to them for so long that it was hard to tell when she made the connection from sound to object (or person). Following these three words that came about at the same time, Angel started saying “Bible” when I sang a song to her.
To the tune of the chorus in Why Not Come to Him Now?:
“I love, I love, I love my Bible, don’t you?” x2
While singing this song with my newest baby, I have been thinking about how we try to teach our kids to love the Bible, and how many in today’s world simply do not have that love.
Quick disclaimer: I am not perfect.
When I am talking with people or come across someone else’s comments on a page, I try to think about what the Bible has to say about those situations or thoughts. Not because I know everything, but because I’ve tried to create this as a habit in my own life. I come to a situation and I say, “Okay, Tricia, what’s the Bible got to say about this?” As it’s become a reaction, I have found it to be rather unacceptable in most of society to bring up the Bible for everything. For example, when someone was making comments about being a “homosexual Christian,” naturally, I tried to bring up what the Bible says about such things. I would lay some arguments out and some Bible verses which were to the point. They would attempt to counter my argument outside of the Bible or misusing it. I would bring up more Bible verses which explain why their argument didn’t work. I got accused of “having to have the last word.” People don’t like to be told that what they believe is wrong.
Now, in addition to people being irritated that I kept responding to their arguments like a “know-it-all,” they of course bring out the dusty “you’re judging me argument.” Even saying that I was “misrepresenting Scripture to make it say what [I] want.” Finally, I was told that I could keep my opinions about the Bible to myself and that I don’t get to decide who goes to Heaven.
I do hope this isn’t beginning to sound like a whiny rant because I have a point, and I’m sure many Christians have come across similar situations. So, you can relate!
Another disclaimer: I don’t know it all! I don’t even claim to; but, if I have a Biblical explanation countering your point, shouldn’t I discuss it with you? And if my perspective is wrong, you can’t help me out if I never share it with you. I certainly never tried to judge anyone. God alone is the Judge; but, I try to share His standards with people. As for misrepresentation and opinions added to Scripture, well, I vowed to not add any comments to the Bible verses from now on (so I couldn’t get accused of such things). The next situation or thought I came across, I would simply post a Bible verse (or several, depending) and let others see what the Bible says for themselves.
That didn’t work out for me either. I was called “militant” with my Bible verse and apparently hurt someone’s feelings. Someone posted something on Facebook about some people just not deserving forgiveness, or something like that, and I posted the passage from Matthew 18 when Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive. No comments. Just the passage. Well, I was told the “rest of the story” that she was being mistreated by someone and is a very kind and forgiving person. Well, I certainly wasn’t saying anyone should stay in a hurtful situation (and I did apologize)! But, then, I can’t control what someone else reads into any Bible verse that I post.
So, what am I to do? I can’t have rational discussion with people about the Bible, it upsets them and seems to do no good. I can’t just bring to light Scriptures that may help or encourage people because that upsets them, too. What am I to do? What are any of us to do? Should we just stop trying to communicate God’s Word to others?
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:26-32)
9Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. (Jeremiah 20:9)
I may make mistakes while I’m trying to talk to people; but, God commands that I keep trying. I love His Word. It is a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). I want to incorporate it into every thought, every moment of my existence. When Satan tempts me, I want to respond with the Word that is in my heart (Jeremiah 31:33) just as Jesus does in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
I hope you don’t let people get you down when you try to communicate the gospel and it either goes awry due to your own human failure or (remember!) a hard or thorny ground (Matthew 13). I won’t quit because I just really love my Bible! Don’t you?
-Tricia Reno