Building on Solid Ground
Understanding and Living Out Your Covenant with Christ.
Have you ever noticed how many churches there are in Tulsa? There’s practically one on every street corner. It’s no wonder that Tulsa has been called the “Buckle of the Bible Belt.”
Here’s the thing though, despite the number of churches and Christian universities, it’s still easy to get caught up in the “culture” of Christianity – going through the motions, attending church and saying the right things – without actually having a real relationship with Jesus.
How do we build a real relationship with Jesus that will carry us through every high or low that we face in life? Let’s look at Matthew 7 because Jesus says a lot about how to build on a solid foundation that will withstand the storms of life.
Here’s the thing though, despite the number of churches and Christian universities, it’s still easy to get caught up in the “culture” of Christianity – going through the motions, attending church and saying the right things – without actually having a real relationship with Jesus.
How do we build a real relationship with Jesus that will carry us through every high or low that we face in life? Let’s look at Matthew 7 because Jesus says a lot about how to build on a solid foundation that will withstand the storms of life.
Hermeneutics: the Foundation of Understanding
What a funny word! But think of hermeneutics (hər-mə-ˈnü-tiks or her-muh-new-ticks) like a set of blueprints for understanding the Bible. It helps you interpret Scripture accurately and avoid misinterpretations. It provides you with tools to understand the true meaning of Scripture, enriching your covenant relationship with Jesus.
What a funny word! But think of hermeneutics (hər-mə-ˈnü-tiks or her-muh-new-ticks) like a set of blueprints for understanding the Bible. It helps you interpret Scripture accurately and avoid misinterpretations. It provides you with tools to understand the true meaning of Scripture, enriching your covenant relationship with Jesus.
Exegesis: Drawing out the True Meaning
One of the most important principles of hermeneutics is exegesis. This means considering the historical and cultural context and the language used, to find the overall message of the passage.
For example, in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns us about people who talk a good game, but don’t actually live it out. They look like good Christians on the outside, but their hearts are far from God. Through exegesis, we understand that true faith isn’t just about outward actions or religious activities; it’s about a genuine heart transformation that leads to obedience.
Similarly, in Colossians 2:8, Paul warns against being swayed by empty philosophies and human traditions. Exegesis shows us that Paul is emphasizing the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of our faith and not adding extra rules or ideas that aren’t from Him.
One of the most important principles of hermeneutics is exegesis. This means considering the historical and cultural context and the language used, to find the overall message of the passage.
For example, in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns us about people who talk a good game, but don’t actually live it out. They look like good Christians on the outside, but their hearts are far from God. Through exegesis, we understand that true faith isn’t just about outward actions or religious activities; it’s about a genuine heart transformation that leads to obedience.
Similarly, in Colossians 2:8, Paul warns against being swayed by empty philosophies and human traditions. Exegesis shows us that Paul is emphasizing the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of our faith and not adding extra rules or ideas that aren’t from Him.
Eisegesis: the Danger of Personal Interpretation
Eisegesis is the opposite of exegesis. Eisegesis occurs when we impose our own ideas or opinions onto the text, twisting its meaning to say what we want it to say. This is dangerous because it can lead us away from truth and into false doctrine.
So, when I talk about “cultural Christianity,” I’m talking about the practice of picking and choosing which parts of the Bible one chooses to follow based on personal preferences or beliefs, rather than submitting to the authority of the entire Word of God.
Think about all the disagreements people have about the Bible today. Issues of gender, sexuality, tithing, sabbath, and so much more arise because people don’t let the Bible speak for itself! This is also a major reason we have seen so many church splits in the past couple of years.
Some people are more comfortable being led by their own agendas than by the truth of God’s Word. And you can’t blame them, right? Because living by God’s Word and forcing every thought, opinion, and feeling to submit to the Lord is difficult, but that’s why we are called to the narrow path. The wide path always leads to destruction!
Eisegesis is the opposite of exegesis. Eisegesis occurs when we impose our own ideas or opinions onto the text, twisting its meaning to say what we want it to say. This is dangerous because it can lead us away from truth and into false doctrine.
So, when I talk about “cultural Christianity,” I’m talking about the practice of picking and choosing which parts of the Bible one chooses to follow based on personal preferences or beliefs, rather than submitting to the authority of the entire Word of God.
Think about all the disagreements people have about the Bible today. Issues of gender, sexuality, tithing, sabbath, and so much more arise because people don’t let the Bible speak for itself! This is also a major reason we have seen so many church splits in the past couple of years.
Some people are more comfortable being led by their own agendas than by the truth of God’s Word. And you can’t blame them, right? Because living by God’s Word and forcing every thought, opinion, and feeling to submit to the Lord is difficult, but that’s why we are called to the narrow path. The wide path always leads to destruction!
The Narrow Path: Choosing Truth Over Convenience
Matthew 7:13-14 perfectly describes the difference between exegesis and eisegesis. He said there’s a wide gate and a broad road that leads to destruction, and many people choose that path. But there’s also a small gate and a narrow road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
It’s easy to take the wide road, to compromise our beliefs to fit in with the world or make life more comfortable. But Jesus call us to take the narrow road, the road of truth and obedience, even when it’s difficult.
Matthew 7:13-14 perfectly describes the difference between exegesis and eisegesis. He said there’s a wide gate and a broad road that leads to destruction, and many people choose that path. But there’s also a small gate and a narrow road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
It’s easy to take the wide road, to compromise our beliefs to fit in with the world or make life more comfortable. But Jesus call us to take the narrow road, the road of truth and obedience, even when it’s difficult.
Building on the Rock: Putting Truth into Action
So, how do we build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27 that the wise person builds their house on the rock by hearing and obeying His words. This requires a commitment to build our lives on the truth of God’s Word, not on our own interpretations or cultural trends.
So, how do we build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27 that the wise person builds their house on the rock by hearing and obeying His words. This requires a commitment to build our lives on the truth of God’s Word, not on our own interpretations or cultural trends.
Romans 6: Living in Freedom
This can only happen when you have entered into a true, covenant relationship with God. And Romans 6 emphasizes the power of that covenant relationship with Christ.
Through His death and resurrection, you have been set free from the power of sin. You are not a slave to sin! In Christ, you have the freedom to choose righteousness!
This is what it means to live the SOZO LIFE – experiencing God’s power and transformation in your everyday life. You can live our your salvation today!
This can only happen when you have entered into a true, covenant relationship with God. And Romans 6 emphasizes the power of that covenant relationship with Christ.
Through His death and resurrection, you have been set free from the power of sin. You are not a slave to sin! In Christ, you have the freedom to choose righteousness!
This is what it means to live the SOZO LIFE – experiencing God’s power and transformation in your everyday life. You can live our your salvation today!
Putting Hermeneutics into Practice
Here are some practical ways to use hermeneutics and build a strong faith:
Here are some practical ways to use hermeneutics and build a strong faith:
- Understand the context: When reading the Bible, consider the historical and cultural background of the passage to understand its original meaning.
- Seek the author’s intent: Ask yourself, “What was the author saying to his original audience?”
- See the big picture: How does this passage fit into the overall message of the Bible? How does it point to Jesus?
- Apply with wisdom: How can I live out this truth today?
- Avoid twisting truth: Don’t try to make the Bible say what you want it to say. Be careful not to impose your own ideas or opinions onto the text.
Building a Strong Foundation
By practicing these principles, you will build your faith on a solid foundation that will withstand any storm.
Let’s commit to diligently studying God’s Word, accurately interpreting its truths, and courageously living them our in our daily lives – SOZO LIFE!
By practicing these principles, you will build your faith on a solid foundation that will withstand any storm.
Let’s commit to diligently studying God’s Word, accurately interpreting its truths, and courageously living them our in our daily lives – SOZO LIFE!
Posted in Christian Living
Posted in #SozoLife, Obedience, Righteous Living, Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Eisegesis
Posted in #SozoLife, Obedience, Righteous Living, Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Eisegesis