Simon says: “Christianism”
As a kid, I remember a very popular game. Simon Says. Usually played at school or parties, several of us would do whatever “Simon” told us to do, as long as it was preceded by the phrase: “Simon Says”.
It seems to me that we have become a society of “Simon Says” players, living life by the whims and desires of others. Just look at the commercials, TV programs and music icons that continuously tell us what to do, how to dress, what to drive…and even what to look like. Bordering on the dangerous, some men and women even go to the extreme and tell us to do treacherous things all together.
The biggest danger in this lifestyle is that we (the followers) do not question the commands. We allow them to become a “normal” part of life in every detail. Such is the 21st century in America. We have become a nation of conformists, a nation of men and women who have become so lazy, we allow complete strangers to think for us. I remember the days when everyone read books frequently. Not just as a school project, but as a way of life. Now a days, very few people read books. We get our knowledge from TV shows, books on audio, the Internet. Some of which is good, and necessary. However, in the important things in life, why do we allow others to make decisions for us and to tell us what to do? Do we not have a God-given brain? Can we not process information for ourselves? Do we really need the media and mainstream America to tell us how to live our lives. What is good and what is bad?
I used to have 1982 Volkswagen Golf. It was cute car and I liked the engineering. I am not a mechanic, so when the car broke down, I would take it to an expert. Not just a mechanic, but also a foreign car specialist. You see this car was a Wolf berg edition made in Germany and I new that a mechanic could probably fix it and the key word here is “probably”. But I was certain that the experience and know-how of the foreign car specialist would definitely find the problem and fix it forever. Boy was I wrong! Yes, the specialist was better at fixing my car, and more expensive too. But the best mechanic on this car turned out to be me. Yes…you heard me; I actually became better at diagnosing the problem and getting it fixed than the mechanic or the specialist. How did I do it? Well I purchased the official Volkswagen Golf 1982 Wolf berg edition car manual. The men and women who designed the vehicle and put it together in Germany wrote this manual. I read it from cover to cover. Every time the car had a symptom, I would go to the troubleshooting section of the manual and read. Eventually I became so familiar with my vehicle that I could listen to the engine and know exactly what it needed. I would take it to the mechanic (the cheaper one) and just for fun I would see what he told me. “It needs a new transmission” or “The power steering gears have stripped, we must replace it”. Then I would continue to tell the mechanic my diagnosis of the problem. Usually something like “I think the battery you installed yesterday is not grounded, that is why the car jerks and shakes when accelerated” Problem fixed.
In our spiritual life, God has given us the “official manual”. We need to read it from cover to cover and go to the troubleshooting guide when we have problems. Why do we allow others to “interpret” God’s word for us? I’ll tell you why. We have been told that the word of God must be interpreted for us so that we can understand it. Somehow we have allowed ourselves to think that some other man or woman who has more Theological background or is “closer to God” must tell us what the Bible teaches. We excuse ourselves in the thought that the Bible was written so long ago that it must be interpreted for us to be somehow applicable in our lives. But the word of God tell us that James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
The Word of God is True. Many would agree with me. However, when asked about certain phrases or specific words those same people will explain them away or re-interpret them, making them void of any validity.
This is not treating the Word as the Holy Word. It is offensive to the One True God, to say the least, to claim that He states meaningless things. Every word is specifically chosen by Him. Every phrase was formed by Him and in I Cor 13 He states that all things will pass away, but His Word will remain forever. His Word doesn’t change with time just as He does not change with time.
In John 1 He says that the Word was God - They are the same and inseparable.
Exodus shows us a picture of the Ark of the Covenant. In it were the Commandment Tablets, Aaron’s rod that budded, and jars of manna. Manna is a picture of the Bread of Life, the Word of God; the rod is picture of His promise of new life, and the Commandment Tablets are His direction, His Law. The Ark of the Covenant represents the Bible - the written Word of God – holy and separated to God.
God’s Words are not open to free interpretations and “what it means to me”. They are specifically chosen by the Holy Spirit, the Author of the Whole, and are consistently used no matter whose pen wrote them. The Bible was penned by many but compiled by One. Not only does the Word of God as a Whole not change but each specific Word of God does not change. What if we change one word, why not two? Why not 10? Why not a chapter? Etc. It either stands - complete Truth, or none at all.
We are instructed under threat of curses not to touch the Word of God. In the story of David and the Ark of the Covenant, his friend was killed because he touched the Ark. David became upset with God because his friend’s intentions were good - he didn’t want the Ark to fall as it was being moved on a wooden cart pulled by oxen. Then David finally realized that the Ark was a Holy Thing and the fault was his own as he had treated it as any other unsanctified box. The Ark is a picture of the Written Word of God.
Psalm 138:2 says “I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy Truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.” There is no higher name. God places highest priority on His Word. His priorities are our priorities. Isn’t that right? He holds His Word above His own Name. There is absolutely nothing higher.
It is important, vital that we recognize and honor the holiness of His Word. To revere His Word is to worship God because we give Him our attention and listen and know we are listening to the most important words we will ever hear!
His Word is our Life. God’s life and creative force are in His Words – living words changing us. John 1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him (the Word); and without Him (the Word) was not any thing made that was made. In Him (the Word) was Life; and the Life was the light of men.” - The Light that shines from those who believe is the Living Word of God. How will it shine if it not the unaltered, true and holy Word sent from God?
I encourage you, if you are a student of the Word, dig a little. When comparing two different versions of the Bible and they are interpreted differently, find out which one if either are correct. Check out the meaning of the original Greek or Hebrew words. In this world my good friend if you want to know the truth – if you really want to know, you’re going to have work at finding it. Our Father in Heaven honors that desire and that effort.
