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Show Bible reading still important Nothing mysterious about scriptures By REV. ERIC V. KAKLBERER Pastor of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church An attitude exists where some folks feel they don't need to read the Bible or that they are not able to understand it. If you have been following fol-lowing the articles I've been writing writ-ing these past couple of months, you've been reading some scrip-lure scrip-lure already and it has, hopefully, made sense. , There is nothing mysterious about ab-out the scriptures. There may be some verses which when seen out of context may seem like nonsense. non-sense. But the important thing to is to set the context. Read the Cipter before and after the verse. If it still doesn't make sense, go to verses that are clear. They will give meaning to the unclear ones. For example, if I met you on the street and said, " , I love you!" This is an unclear statement. Does it mean that 1 feel about you the same way as I do my wife? Does it mean 1 love you like I do my daughters, daugh-ters, or my parents? Obviously, my love for you is the love I have from Christ for you. I cannot and must not love you as I do my wife, or my daughters. When you take the statement, "I love you" it must always be in the context in which it is spoken. What does all this have to do with reading the Bible? Simply this: if you read something and don't understand it, don't give up! Read on! We are told that "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, showing what is wrong, improving and training in right living so that the child of God is ready and equipped for every good work." (Beck Translation, 2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is good, and it is useful. It is inspired by God, and you can understand it. As you read the Word of God, the story of His Grace for you in Christ Jesus, the Old and New Testaments Tes-taments will unfold before you and you will indeed meet the Creator and Lover of your soul. This is my hope for you and my prayer. In Christ Jesus our Lord I am your servant. |