I have noticed how we, as Bible believing Christians, are quick with one-liner verses. We have scripture memorized, stored in our hearts, and freely throw them into conversation. Sometimes very much out of context. "he who is without sin, cast the first stone", "judge not", "don't let anyone judge you by what you eat, or drink", "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me". Each of these phrases, and many others like them, show up in specific stories, with specific meaning for that situation. Not to be thrown into any and every conversation. Yet it happens.
I have also noticed how, many of us, as Bible believing Christians, operate under the assumption that each word written in Scripture is directed to us. Not true. These words were many times for specific people, under specific circumstances, with a specific purpose. Something from which we can glean understanding and deeper insight, but not direct instructions for us. But if we don't seek to understand who was the targeted audience, what were they dealing with, and what were the circumstances, then we're not getting it. Christians are really good at stringing random verses together to create their own personal doctrine. As long as you speak Christianese, rattling off verses left and right, we are seldom challenged on our understanding of said verses. You must challenge yourself.
Just to clear up a few things: John 8 is where we find the verse "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" is not saying we shouldn't call people to account for their sinful behavior because we too have sinned. This was about a woman accused of being caught in the act of adultery, by a group of men. It takes two to commit this particular sin, and a man wasn't brought for judgement along side her. It's clear Yahusha/Jesus was talking to those men directly. Yahusha/Jesus knelt down and wrote in the dirt when he made this proclamation to the men who brought the woman. We can only guess what he wrote, but it dispersed the men. That message was directly for those men, in that situation, and frankly we only know part of that message - the spoken part.
Matthew 7:1 is where we find "judge not lest you be judged by the same measure that you judged them" and this is not saying not to judge others. It is warning about holding others to a standard you yourself are not living. Be careful when judging others, because that's the standard on which you will be judged. We see that in Romans 2:1. Others times in Scripture we are told to make a righteous judgement and to judge fruit (John 7:24, 1 Corinthians 5, Deuteronomy 16:18, Matthew 7:15-20). Question: What is a Righteous judgement? Answer: Weigh the matter against the Word Of Yah. This one-liner is often used to shut folks down when they call out sin. Again taken completely out of context.
Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14 are often misunderstood to speak against the Holy Days found in the OT scriptures, and the dietary laws. On the contrary, the targeted audience here are converts from paganism to faith in Yahusha. They are turning from pagan holidays and diets to Yah's Holy Days and Yah's diet. And were being judged for walking away from pagan practices. Specifically in Romans they are discussing what days to fast, and the question of eating meats that were sacrificed to idols, not even Holy Days at all. After the sacrifice was made the meat was sold in the market, you may not know if it was sacrificed to an idol or not. This bothered the conscious of some new converts. Paul explains that it really means nothing, but if it worries the new believers then they shouldn't eat the meat. When we don't do the diligence to understand who was the targeted audience, what was their circumstances, who is the author, what was the author saying, and weigh it against the OT Scriptures, then we can easily fall victim to Peter's warning about misunderstanding Paul's teachings (2 Peter 3:15-17).
Philippines 4:13, "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me" doesn't cover any and all things.... If whatever you need this strength for is within the will of Yah, His purposes, then yes you will be given strength to do it, endure it, and over come it. But it doesn't apply to just anything you wish to do.
In conclusion I'd say, memorize scriptures, use them to guide you, encourage you, teach you, bless you, and more, but know what is truly meant and don't use them out of context or to build your own doctrine. We want to be careful not to misrepresent Yah or His Word.
Still a work in progress
Teresa
