MAX ON LIFE

73. Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Should we? Paul commanded the women in Corinth to wear veils on their heads. Why don't we do so today? He commanded the Christians in Rome to greet one another with a holy kiss. Are we disobeying if we don't pucker up? I guess I'm wondering, how do we know what is a command and what is cultural?

The Bible is God's Word given in humanity's language.

It was written in another time.

It was written in another culture.

It was written in another language.

Scripture marries eternal truth with historical particularity. How do we separate the two?

We ask the basic question of Bible interpretation: "What is its purpose?"

Some believe the Bible provides the student with a secret code of prophecy that, once deciphered, will reveal the day on which our Lord will return. Others believe the Bible is a secret success manual for wealth and health. Still others use the Bible to substantiate already-held beliefs. Some Christians feel the purpose of the Bible is to provide a pattern for the organization of the New Testament church.

Though the Bible comments on each of these subjects, none of them identifies the purpose of Scripture. What is the purpose of the Bible? Let the Bible itself answer that question.

"Since you were a child you have know the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 3:15)

"These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God's powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone, but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. The Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven - makes us right in God's sight - when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. (Rom 1:16-17)

The purpose of the Bible is simply to proclaim God's plan to save his children. It asserts that people are lost and need to be saved. And it communicates the message that Jesus is God in the flesh, sent to save his children.

The purpose of the Bible is not to transplant an ancient culture into our generation but to reveal the gospel to it.

Still, the first-century practices of footwashing, a holy kiss, and veil-wearing are helpful. Let's learn from the principle behind each one. Footwashing teaches humility. The holy kiss models hospitality. Veil-wearing exemplifies respect for culture. We imitate the principle, not the particular practice.

Remember: the big message of the Bible is God's plan to populate his new kingdom. Everything else is secondary.

By: Max Lucado