I don’t know about you but sometimes I come across things which I know are true but I’d rather they weren’t. Like the table of nutritional values on the side of a Snickers bar. Or the little voice that tells me I need to do some exercise if I’m ever going to get back into my wedding suit.
The Bible’s a bit like that sometimes. I know it’s true. Not only have I decided to believe it by faith, but I’ve also found through experience that the promises it contains have an uncanny way of working themselves out. I also find when I read the Bible that I’m encouraged and uplifted. The things that sometimes way me down get lighter and I’m reminded of how much my Father loves me and what He’s done. Every time that I’ve ever got weary and discouraged I can look back and see where I’ve drifted out of spending time meditating on God’s word. Similarly, when I make a habit of reading the Bible, thinking about it, and praying to God I feel alive.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t times when part of me wants to take a black marker to it and delete the contradictions. By contradictions I don’t mean one verse that contradicts the other. I actually really enjoy grappling with some of the paradoxes in the Bible. The book’s full of areas where you need to actually read it properly to understand what’s going on, to delve into the context rather than just playing pick and mix with the verses. I have to say although I’ve looked I haven’t been able to find anywhere the Bible contradicts itself.
No, the contradictions I’m referring to are much, much worse. The Bible has a tendency to contradict the things which I would like to be true. It contradicts my preferences. It contradicts my selfish tendencies. It contradicts my ego and my pride. While I’m busy justifying my feelings or behaviour, something of the truth jumps out at me and pierces my maks of pretense. God’s word in the Bible reminds me that I’m not perfect and that change is necessary if I’m ever going to grow into the things that God designed me for. Every time I read the bible I find this weird mix of acceptance, encouragement, and conviction of things in my life which don’t align with the God’s perfection. Don’t let anyone tell you that living the Christian life is never hard. But then nothing that’s worth anything costs nothing, does it?
Fortunately, when I read the Bible I find two other things that help me hugely: One, that God is a Father who loves and accepts me regardless of my performance. Two, that there’s a simple way of receiving a perfection that I could never earn. Namely through trusting in Jesus perfect sacrifice which was made on my behalf.
Maybe I’ll put the magic marker down after all.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Tim 3:16-17
