Question 2

A dear friend sent in this question...

How do I adapt those difficult scriptures that forbid or condemn certain things to today's world without feeling guilty about changing the word of the Lord? How do I know that this is the right thing to do?


First of all, we need a view of scripture that understands that it is here for us, we are not here for it. It does not control us or dominate us, it is here for us to use to help us find God. We do not serve scripture, but it serves us.

Secondly, everyone picks and chooses. There are many scriptures that we ignore. We don't condone slavery. We don't eat our children during war time. We don't stone rebellious sons. It is ok to understand that there are some scriptures that we just do not follow. Again, referring to #1, scripture is here for us... it does not own us.

Thirdly... feeling guilty over scripture is a never ending disaster should we choose to go down that road. Imagine all of the passages that we cannot live up to: Not storing up treasure, withholding from the poor, not covering our heads, etc. If we want to feel guilty about scripture, then we can spend our lives doing so. Again, refer to #1. Scripture is given to us as a guide to help us find God. It does not own us and it is not God. Only God is God... the Bible is not God, only God is God.

In summary, I would say to you and to all that God has given us, you and me, the gift of this life. We can spend it feeling guilty, we can spend it being worried over little things, or we can wake to the day with joy in our hearts and give every moment to God and to his people.

Imagine that you wrote a list of thoughts and advice to your children. Would you want them to feel guilty if they didn't follow it exactly as you presented? No! We know that all of our children are different. We want them to live lives of joy, not worry.

Each person has a right to their spiritual journey. My hope and prayer is that we make our choices and live with joy. I think that this is more important to God than any of our common human worries. Find peace, find joy and live it out. Don't sweat the scripture stuff. Live and love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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