Give the Word the Benefit of the Doubt. 2 Timothy 2:15.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inAssume the Bible applies to you today until you can prove it does not., Faith Means giving God the benefit of the doubt., Study the WordTags:, , ,

God saved you, right? He made you, loves you, forgives you, died for you, correct? No one loves you the way He loves you.

And what tool does He give you to get through the daily challenges of life? His Word. His written record of truth and answers and solutions. It’s all in there: the greatest treasure we possess. Don’t miss the chance to discover that treasure. Mine it. Dig out the gold, the jewels, the rubies and riches.

And here’s the principle I want you to think about:

GIVE HIS WORD THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

Some things are timeless, such as “thou shalt not murder” Exodus 20:13. Other things are cultural or have limited application, such as “don’t eat fish without scales” Leviticus 11:9-12.

But here’s the thing. God loves you and He knows how to put a book like the Bible together. So give Him the benefit of the doubt. When you read things in the Bible, assume He means it for today, that is, assume it is TIMELESS until you have done so much serious study that you are certain the passage has a limited application to ancient Israel.

Because of who God is, His word deserves THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. Always assume that what you read applies to you RIGHT NOW. Never say, “oh, that’s just a rule for back then,” unless you have studied the matter so thoroughly that you could stand before the throne of a holy God, look up at His face glowing like fire, and say, “Yes, Lord, I studied the Word and am convinced this rule was a cultural thing, and does not apply today, and here’s why.”

We are instructed to “study to show thyselves approved unto God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

Until you have studied the Word that thoroughly, you must give God the benefit of the doubt. Always take it at face value and believe and obey what it says. If you think it does not apply today, study the word so well you can prove it—or keep obeying the word as it is. Those are your only choices.

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Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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