5/23/16 Interpreting Your Life
I deliver God’s word every week and it’s important for me to interpret the word of God through the proper context. From an objective standpoint, there has to be one interpretation God wants to deliver through a particular passage of Scripture. It’s my responsibility every week to rely upon the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the word of truth. If I have the wrong interpretation, then my attitude and application to life will be skewed.
However, the Bible isn’t the only book that needs proper interpretation. Our life needs proper interpretation. Your interpretation of life will either give you hope or despair. Everything that happens to us needs to be viewed in light of what God says. Remember, it’s not what happens to us that affects us; it’s how we interpret what happens to us. Are you ready for a life change?
• Interpret your failures, mistakes and sins through the eternal plan of God. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” Philippians 1:6 says, “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” God has a plan and a purpose for your life but your interpretation of your life must agree with these verses. We have all failed but we must look at our shortcomings through the interpretation of redemption. We don’t look through this lens to continue in sin but to instill in ourselves hope so even in our mess we can rely upon a perfect God. This lens gives us the confidence we need and makes us God-conscious and not sin-conscious. The more you focus on your shortcomings the more you will come short but if you focus on what God says your life will align with His will! Your interpretation is a result of your focus.
• There will always be a daily battle to counter faulty interpretations. Paul gives the admonishment in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Your mind needs to be reminded daily of God’s word because according to Scripture your mind is being saved. Your mind isn’t full of heaven so you need to be intentional about feeding your mind with the word of God.
Always remember hopeless situations only need a different interpretation based on God’s word.
Previous blogs by Pastor Sam can be found at:
https://samuelbrgr.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/redemption-and-scars/