User Agreements

It has been joked that one of the biggest lies that PC users have ever told is, “I have read and agree with the Terms of Service.” For the uninitiated, if one tries to install a program onto his computer that one is present with the Terms of Service. The Terms of Service provides the user with the “can and cannots” which apply to the program. For instance, one program this author personally uses stipulates that it may be used for free as long as the user does not travel by plane more than twice a year. If the user exceeds this number, he must pay for the program. Others stipulate that the user cannot edit the program in any way. Some companies keep a sense of humor about it. One program, its makers knowing that individuals do not read the agreements has stipulated the user agrees to send his firstborn to the company. Keeping that in mind, it might be best that those who have not been reading them to start. One never knows to what he is agreeing and could suffer the ramifications for it.

In the same manner, it has been said that “Christians treat the Bible like a User Agreement. They simply agree without taking the time to read It.” Jesus, by implication, spoke of the importance of reading the scriptures when He said, “Have ye not read…?” (Matt 12:3, 5; 19:4; 22:31; Mark 12:10, 26; Luke 6:3). In those instances, Christ was posed with a question about numerous topics such as: the resurrection, marriage, and others. These were questions were posed to try and find Christ in a fault. Christ implied a few things by asking this question:

1.      Man should be reading the scriptures. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Tim. 4:13).

2.      By reading the Bible, one can understand what is written therein. Paul backs up this sentiment in his letter to the Ephesians. Speaking of the church he said, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:3-4).

3.      Many of man’s misinterpretations of the scriptures could be rectified simply by reading the Bible. Keep in mind, Christ asked this simple question when His enemies tried to find Him in a fault. These were groups like the Sadducess who denied the existence of angels, the resurrection, and the eternal spirits (Acts 23:8) and the Pharisees who followed after the Rabbinal writings as opposed to what the Old Testament scriptures actually stated (cf. Matt. 5:21-48). The same holds true today as many have been lured into believing that which is not commanded in the scriptures. Either this person has never taken the time to do as the Bereans (Acts 17:11) or tries to take one verse to prove an idea without taking into account the whole.

What if one chooses to treat the Bible like a User Agreement by “agreeing to the Terms of Service” without ever reading and understand what has declared? Some companies have sued consumers who breached the agreement and won the court case. What was the reason for such the breach? The user never read the agreement. Please note God will not sue us but the punishment is far worse than any settlement. The Israelites, as a nation, were destroyed for “lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6). Think back to Peter’s sermon to many Jews who saw the healing of a certain lame man. Peter noted that the act was committed by many due to ignorance but God still required them to obey the gospel of Christ (Acts 3:17, 20). Stop treating the Bible like something one can “agree” to without knowing what is in it and be fine. God left man His Word so man can understand God, His Will, and the love He has for mankind. He has left man His “Terms of Service” in the form of the Bible. It tell man of the his responsibilities, the “can and cannots” to everyday life, and no one can respond in an appropriate manner without knowing what is in it.

Hidden in the Heart (Part 2)

The Activity (…that I might not sin against Thee) Think of an individual who hides what he views to be a great treasure. It is not put out on display for all to see. It remains hidden and unused. David not only used God’s Word but he also actively used it. Through his active use of It, David kept himself from sin. This was not a miraculous action on God’s part. God will not suddenly take control of us and keep us from committing sin. He will not place a wall between us and sin. It also does not keep one sinless but that person will know what to do when he does (1 John 1:7, 10). Rather, when one studies God’s Word, he understands certain things such as: God, Who He is, What He expects of man, what sin is, the consequences of it, and the only way said sin can be washed away.

When man allows God’s Principles and Precepts to reside within us, he can be kept from:

• Covetousness (Psalm 119:36).
• Lying (Psalm 119:163).
• Every evil/false way (Psalm 119:101, 104).
• Falling away (Psalm 118:85-87).
• Eternal Destruction (Psalm 119:155).

Man also keeps in mind the promises given in God’s Word.

• Psalm 119:9 speaks of where man can find the way to cleanse his life. It is found within God’s Word.
• Psalm 119:165 speaks of the great peace that is offered to God’s children. Peace offered now and in eternity.
• Even when life throws the worst at us, it offers the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and grow as to not make the same mistake (Psalm 119:67, 71).

What is the attitude one carries in regards God’s Word? David realized that God’s Word, when hidden in the storehouse of the heart, is able to keep man from sin.

Hidden in the Heart (Part 1)

Man has many different types of plans to keep himself away from sin. He will use many stepped programs to keep him from something which has troubled him. Taking many baby steps and with the help of others he will strive to keep himself from sin. Others will do anything and everything in his power to avoid things which would tempt him to sin. These are just two of many things used. While these are in and out of themselves not wrong, man often ignores one of the God approved methods of avoiding sin while involved in these programs. In Psalm 119, one would read David speaking about his love and his attitude toward God’s Word. In regard to sin he wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).

The Treasure (Thy Word have I hid in mine heart…) David remarks that he “hid” God’s Word within his heart. David had something in common with our common day hoarders. The phrase “have I hid” would mean, “…to treasure up. to hoard - as money or jewels - commonly “hidden” from public view.” Many will hoard what they view to be extremely important to them. It is the treasure which they do not want taken away from them. Considering other statement David makes in this chapter one would realize that he viewed God’s Word as the greatest treasure imaginable (Psalm 119:72, 127). As such, he hid this great treasure in the storehouse of his heart.

Dear reader, how do you view God’s Word? Is the Living Word something you treasure, study, and cherish or is it treated like a reading from the daily newspaper? In Psalm 37 David describes the steps of a good man. “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31). David viewed God’s Word as a great treasure worth keeping. He did something more with this treasure than hoarders do.

Works Cited

Strong, James. “Labe.” Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. E-Sword, version 7.8.3.

Something Rotten

Take a moment to consider your favorite meal. Is it some type of fish? What about steak and potatoes? Perhaps you enjoy a good Caesar salad? Having considered the meal please take a moment to imagine something. Imagine that, having won a free meal, you are sitting within a very posh restaurant. Having looked over the menu, you spot it! They serve that food you love more than any other in the world! Surely a restaurant of this caliber would serve it in a manner which you have never experienced. You would be correct. After minutes of anticipation the meal arrives on a covered dish. Your server sets the meal in front of you and states “Enjoy.” Excitedly you remove the cover, close your eyes, and expect to take in the wonderful aroma of the meal. You immediately gag. What is that horrendous odor? Looking at the plate you realize why. The food before you is covered in maggots and mold and rotting away. It is not fit for a meal. Obviously you complain with the promise to never return again. After all, why would anyone want something rotten going into their system?

At this moment someone may be asking the question, “What’s the point of making mention to a decayed delicacy?” Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29). The word corrupt means, “rotten, putrefied, not fit for use.” There are many who would out right refuse to allow anything rotten from his lips. The same would gladly let many rotten statements fly from his mouth. The worst part is how readily accepted this is within society. Whether written, lyrical, or spoken many allow offensive jokes, subtle innuendo, and outright gutter talk to be acceptable. Paul’s encouragement is that Christians do not allow such things to escape their lips.

What type of speech should the Christian have? That which is good for edifying! The word “good means,” “good, pleasant, agreeable.” The word “edify” gives the idea of building up a building as one would in architecture. Corrupt language tears down those it is aimed at. Edifying speech builds up. This is the type of language God wants His people to use. The aim is to speak to others in such a way that they are benefitted in their daily lives rather than saying something which one is likely to regret.

No one wants rotten material to enter their lips. Do we want rotten material to exit out?