Following The Road Signs
So ... we are at week three of the Just One Letter Project. From here on out, you can expect to begin noticing things you have not noticed so far. As you become more familiar with the words in this letter, you will be free to notice the things that are actually being said. You will find yourself asking questions about meaning and purpose. And even having "raised eyebrow" responses of confusion!
This is good. It may be a little frustrating, but hold on, it will get better. In a week or two, you will start to have some of your own "aha" moments and things will come together.
Trust me. It will be S-A-W-E-E-E-E-T!
As you read Paul's letter to the church in Philippi this week, watch and listen for statements that take the form of a request or a command. Here are a couple of examples.
"Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven ... " (Philippians 1:27)
"Don't be intimidated in anyway by your enemies ..." (Philippians 1:28)
There are at least 20 commands in this letter. This "imperative mood" is one of the common features of Paul's letter. (Now I know I just dropped a English grammar bomb on many of you ... I did it only to see if there were any English teachers out there reading this post!)
The Death Spiral of Wrong Assumptions about the Bible
Now let's pause for a moment and deal with our heart posture. Just writing that sentence, "there are least 20 commands in this letter" generates a reaction within me. A reaction that can quickly spiral out of control. Here is the death spiral of false assumptions about commands in the Bible:
- Commands in the Bible have a "yelling voice" attached to them (like my mother or father on their worst days).
- God is yelling at me
- Commands in the bible automatically mean prohibitions.
- Prohibitions rob me of my freedom (like this morning ... I tried to buy beer today at 6:45 am and the law in my state does not let you buy beer until 7:00 am ... It was not a pretty response, just saying!)
- God is against my freedom.
Many think the Bible is just a book of prohibitions
- God is against me!
- Screw God!
Just look at that sign! Balloons, sitting and eating are prohibited. Wherever this is, I know I don't want to go there! I am guaranteed to be arrested for something.
And this default posture is not at all helped by the experience many have with Christian preachers of various stripes!
Could the Bible Actually Be Offering Direction
to Experiencing Whole LIFE?
Now prohibition signs, like the ones above, are commands not to do something. But there are other kinds of signs that are commands that tell us to do something. These signs offer direction, understanding of the road ahead and prepare us to navigate different situations. These signs keep us alive. They help us actually be safe while we drive at 70 miles per hour and get us to our destination in one piece. If you are a driver, you see these signs all the time.
These signs are actually "shouting commands" at us. But somehow our hearts don't hear them yelling, we hear them helping us drive safely, protect our passengers and get us HOME in one piece.
What is your assumption about the Bible? As you read this week and look for commands, pay attention to your default heart setting towards the commands. Which set of signs reflect how you think the Bible is oriented?
Here is where I land ... the commands in the Bible are more like the road signs offering me direction. Sometimes they include prohibitions ... which in general are there to keep me from driving over a cliff (which I have done with my life a number of times!)
Oh yea ... one last thing ... the apostle Paul is not yelling because God is not yelling. The gospel of Jesus is not about yelling. Just saying ... in case you were wondering.
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