Running Out Of Material?

There are a lot of fears, but I did not realize so many of them had their own phobia word.  I wasn’t aware that someone could fear running out of reading material. With so many books available digitally. From Free eBooks Project Gutenberg (and app for all kinds of devices) along with Amazon’s Kindle books that are free or extremely reasonable (again, their Kindle app runs on most all devices) you can read old, new, classic, ridiculous.  The choice is yours.

Plus, I’ve never run out of reading material with my Bible. I’ve mentioned in the past that e-Sword is my favorite. Used to be a free app, but I understand there is a cost on iPhone and Android, but the pc version (excellent for studying) is still free. I use another app on my Samsung tablet due to limitations and there are numerous other apps available (yes, next time I’m buying more memory!!! It’s bad enough not having enough memory in my head – not having it on devices is frustrating. And, my fault.)

If you’ve read through the Bible and think you’re done, forget that and add a commentary to your reading. It’s easy with e-Sword to have the biblical text up along side a commentary on that text. Reading them together brings up questions. Did I miss something that the commentator saw? Was the author right – or do I disagree? If I disagree, why? Can I back up my premise with another verse? Does it impact the context?

All those questions slow down the reading – and increases the comprehension.  I was reminded to day how important context is. Supposing someone one told you:  “It’s in the Bible, and I believe it”, using this verse to prove they will receive all they want by worshipping:

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:9 KJV)

It’s in the Bible. People who accept the Bible as true will have to defend it, won’t they? I will uncategorically state, I will not fall down and worship as this verse requires.  I’ve read the rest of the story, the verses surrounding this one, and know it is taken out of context to prove one thing – lies. Of course, taken in context, Matthew 4:1-11, it proves to be a lie. A huge lie.

One of the biggest lies is connected to:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 KJV)

How can that be separated from the verse that immediately follows:

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:2 KJV)

One last thought – I do not believe we are to judge whether or not a person is a Christian. A parable gives the best example. We are instructed to share the gospel, shake off dust if we are not heard and are told another will do the judging as to who heard and obeyed:

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:47-48 KJV)

If you’ve read this far, I know you aren’t abibliophobic – you found more to read! There’s always reading waiting for us in the Bible.