"stand in the way of sinners"

 

"Blessed is the man who does not stand in the way of sinners"

This is a verse from Psalm 1. What do you think it says?

It could mean, "when you see a sinner, get out of their way, let them go along as they please, don't try to stop what they do or change them."

Or, it could mean, "don't anchor or orient your own life the same way a sinner does."

This blog is not about this verse per se. It's not about how you should live or a statement about sinners. But rather, it struck me as I heard it read out loud that understanding what the Bible says is not exactly straightforward or simple.

I hear people say, "I just read the Bible and do what it says." or "truth is what the Bible says."

Those out in the world who are not subscribers of this idea just look at Christians and say, "well, that's your opinion. The Bible can mean whatever you want it to. How can you be sure it means what you think?"

Christians huff and puff and say, "God's word is truth no matter what anyone else believes." That is an accurate position for Christians to take. The problem is interpreting God's Word as expressed in God's words.

This gets tricky because its our human nature to interpret something in light of what we already believe. Even teachers and pastors do this. Certainly, if Christians are capable of confirming what they already believe, then non Christians always will do this. Thus, Christians are capable of advancing what they believe Scripture says when it may say something very differently. Non believers ask, "How can you be sure?"

It is possible, even rational, to interpret Psalm 1 in 2 ways. The way you first think about what it says is influenced by what you may already believe God is saying.   

So, what is the answer?

It's not what you know that matters but who/what you trust. Unless the Holy Spirit enlightens the reader of God's Word about God's words, he/she will likely view what they read in the Bible as a confirmation of their existing beliefs. Is it possible, maybe even likely, Christians miss the transformative nature of revelation?

what makes a "hardship" hard?

I recently heard some teaching from James 1, one of the most popular scriptures dealing with the believers' response to trials. I was taken by how the teacher naturally and comfortably used the term "hardship" instead of trial. This implied that the idea of trial in James applies to circumstances or situations in life that are difficult. But is that what the word used in scripture for trial really means? Further, what difference does it make if the teacher and student view James 1 as a way to deal with pain and suffering Christians experience?

What happens when we don't see a word as it is meant to be seen? Can subtle error creep in that has profound implications?

Let's see what happens when applying James' word about trials to the church. Is he talking about "hardships" and if so, what makes them HARD?

The Greek word for trial used in scripture is peirasmos. This idea of trials applies to a test or experiment. What is being tested and why?  James 1: 12 says, "blessed is the man who endures trials." This literally means, "How fortunate is the person who is not distracted from their intentional purpose by tests."

What is being tested? Faith

Faith in what?  that one's identity is found in their loving relationship with Jesus and not in their experiences from life on this earth. 

What happens? fortune

Trials are not synonymous with "hardships" as we normally think of hardships. It can be very difficult to pass the test of identifying with situations in our life In this case, trails are "hardships."  But, not for reasons we think. Trials are difficult not because they are situations that are uncomfortable or unfavorable to us. Consider this, isn't it also difficult to pass the test of faith (trial) when situations are great, when we are successful and winning in this world, when we get that promotion we want, or find favor from others from what we do?

Regardless of whether our situations are positive or negative, it is very unnatural to identify with Jesus and His love for us, which is unseen. The world yearns to hijack our identity through our physical circumstances. This is why Jesus says its very difficult, if not impossible, for people to enter God's Kingdom. Man's nature requires he/she relies on (trusts) identifying with how they fit in with the visible world's view of them.

So, it's not error when the Bible teacher uses "hardship" instead of trial when explaining James 1. However, does every hearer of the word get what James is saying. It's highly likely the teacher is not thinking about "hardship" as being hard because of our nature. It's highly unlikely the hardship is independent of how positive or negative the situation we attach to the trial. I would expect that many of the hearers don't see "hardship" independent of circumstances.

This is where error occurs. Why does this matter?

This error is fundamental to why so many church services and Christian counseling are seen more as therapy. This is why so many Christians fail to see the essence of the Gospel. This is why the testimony of the Christian is flickering light, barely noticed by the world. This is why the joy that is set before us feels lacking.

Why is a trial a "hardship? 

Because everything about human nature, even for Christians, wants to identify with their situation in this world and not with the eternal, invisible loving relationship we have with Jesus. 

All situations and circumstances TEST our trust (faith) and fortune lies with the Christian who is not distracted from this relationship by their situation. In summary, trials are "hardships" not because the situation is troublesome, but because we naturally gravitate to identifying with our situations, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

What happens when we don't see a word as it is meant to be? 

It means we need to ponder the word until its true meaning is revealed ....