Lessons in Critical Thinking (6 of 12)

Focus

The Bible is a book of history, poetry, letters, and revelation of what is to come. As one reads the Bible it is important to make note of what is the focus of all these different types of literature, as well as the styles of writing and the like. Most important when reading the Bible is to notice where its focus is. All of the Bible has one main focus, and that focus is on Christ and what He came to do. The Bible’s main focus is not on what Jesus came to show us how to do. The Bible’s main focus is not on what Jesus tells us is important. No, the focus of the Bible is on what Jesus did, does and continues to do for us.

When we read, especially when we read anything that suggests that it is telling us about the Bible or the Word of God, how do we know if it is true or not? We know by whether or not its focus matches the focus of the original. Does what we read focus its attention on Jesus and what He has done, does and continues to do for us, that is a right and proper, Biblical focus? Or is the focus on what we are (supposedly supposed) to do for Jesus, which is not in line with the focus of the Bible?

As one seminary professor would say, “Check to see who is running the verbs.” If we are running the verbs, if we are doing the doing, then we get it wrong. It is only as the Lord is running the verbs, doing the doing, that we know what we are reading is true.

Listen carefully. If we are hearing and reading what we (you) must do; how we (you) must live; what we (you) must offer to the Lord, then we (you) are running the verbs, and this is contrary to the focus and message of the Bible.

However, if we are hearing and reading how God has done this for us; how God has done that for us; how God has given this to us; then what we are hearing and reading is in line with the focus of the Bible, and we know that it is true.