What good is Scripture?

In the last day or two, I read a couple of devotionals that make me wonder. One is:

The Sanctuary for Lent 2011
By Robert V. Dodd / Abingdon Press
Small enough to carry in your pocket or mail to every member of the congregation, this booklet of daily devotions will enrich your experience of Lent and help you and the members of your church grow closer to God. Every devotion includes a suggested scripture reading and a closing prayer. A reading is provided for every day and Sunday in Lent and for Easter Sunday.

Without actually saying it, Lent 2011 posed the question: "am I implementing what I learn in scripture, or am I learning the content of the Bible just for the knowledge?" Since the comments hit me, I have to meditate and pray about this. I can name examples where I have taken lessons learned and made them part of who I am. I wonder if I'm doing enough. I wonder what lessons I've learned but have not implemented.

Perhaps the answer lies in the second devotional. This second devotional is one I've read before but am still enjoying and learning from.

On The Cross Road: A Daily Devotional for Lent

By Joan Trusty Moore / Judson Press

This wonderful resource provides personal and meditative devotions throughout the season of Lent. On the Cross Road gleans inspiring insights from the many lives that were changed through encounters with Christ during his last days. Giving fresh meaning to Jesus' death on the cross and what the cross means today, this is a book to be read, pondered, and treasured year after year.

The question from the devotional is this: were the crowds who were honoring Jesus on Palm Sunday, honoring Jesus, or their expectations of Jesus? The question is followed with the statement about making Jesus the great defender of our faith or our personal beliefs. "We always find ways to make Jesus agree with our point of view". (pg 41)

Am I guilty of doing that during my study of scripture? Do I look for things that confirm my beliefs and disregard those things that conflict with them? I can affirm that I do this. Is it too much? Does my disregard of conflicting ideas make my theology incomplete, lacking, even incorrect? I tend to shy away from books that might conflict. I have recently become to know that. Is that wrong? Is it necessary or desirable that I study materials or meditate on Biblical passages that are counter to what I think I know? I'm not sure about non-Biblical materials but certainly if it is in the Bible, I need to read and absorb it or my theology is flawed.

Now that I've talked that through, what's next? Prayer, certainly. I must come face to face with the beliefs that may be flawed and change to the better way. I think when confronted with a conflicting, or possibly conflicting idea, I should be open to review it, rather than shun it. I might learn something and form a more complete way to honor Jesus instead of some expectations I have of Him.

Jesus, I know that I ask for open eyes and hears frequently. That is truly where I need the most help. I shy away from uncomfortable thoughts but Your message was full of disconcerting ideas. Your message wasn't easy or peaceful. You said so in Luke - that You came to bring division, "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother..." (Luke 12:53a) That means that where I fear or sense conflicts in my beliefs and scripture, I must come to You for help to discern. Teach me, oh Jesus. In Your name. Amen.

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