Devotional thoughts, via e-mail, for November, 3, 2010, from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sister Lakes, Michigan:
2 Timothy 4:1-2: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word …”
SOLA SCRIPTURA?
Some Christians take the idea of “Scripture Alone” for granted. They assume that all people claiming to be Christians will want to put God’s word above everything else. But this is not the case. Many professing Christians elevate self above God’s Word. Some elevate personal experience above God’s Word. Others elevate loved ones above God’s Word.
Consider how people choose which church they will belong to. Do people choose a church based on how faithful it is to God’s Word, or for some other reason? Perhaps it’s close to where they live, has a preschool program or their family has always gone there.
Since Scripture alone is the only reliable way to find out what God says, your church ought to be the one that teaches what the Scripture plainly says.
But how can the average person know for sure? Can’t the Scriptures be interpreted differently by each person? Is the average person really qualified to say that their interpretation of Scripture is the right interpretation?
The Reformation principle of “Sola Scriptura” says that yes, the average person can know for sure what God says — through the Bible.
Though there are many human interpretations, there is but ONE meaning intended by God. The Holy Spirit teaches us what He means when we allow the Bible to interpret itself (Or, to say it another way, the Holy Spirit explains what one part of His Word means when we read other parts of His Word). None of us are qualified to JUDGE the Word of God, but the Holy Spirit certainly does reveal His meaning when people study it.
In essence, “Sola Scriptura” says that the Scripture doesn’t need help from man. It is all-sufficient because it is the Holy Spirit inspired, preserved and explained Word of God.