Reading the Bible legalistically

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life" (Jn.5:39,40). Does this mean that instead of reading the Bible and learning from it, we must go for an experiential approach to know Jesus? No. But what it tells us is that if we read even the Bible, which is the word of God, without connecting with the heart of Jesus, what we find will not be what God wants. We must realise that it is possible to spend hours trying to study the Bible, looking at Hebrew and Greek meanings from the original, looking up cross references and commentaries, and still miss what God is trying to speak to us. Studying the Bible like this is good, but through all this we must be looking for the heart of God.

Let us take an example. "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness" (1Ti.2:9,10). "Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1Pe.3:3,4). Aren't Paul and Peter essentially saying the same thing, that instead of giving undue importance to outward appearances, women who want to be godly must focus on godliness of the heart?

But instead of learning that, we can focus on what all are 'forbidden' for women and insist legalistically on ensuring that they follow these restrictions to the letter! I have heard one preacher say that gold is forbidden, but platinum is not! Isn't that to miss the whole point?

We see people turning the New Testament into a Book of Law for Christians! Instead of following the rituals and practices of the Old Testament, now they say these are the commandments we have to follow. Now the discussions turn to whether to offer the other cheek once or more times, whether forgiveness should be seventy times seven, and so on! One denomination split on whether they are allowed to play musical instruments in church or not. In such cases the focus is mostly on external conduct, missing the heart of the Gospel.

Many people have not understood the Gospel properly. They think of going to heaven, escaping the punishment, receiving earthly blessings from God, etc. But the good news that Jesus brought us is that we can be saved from our bondage to sin and be transformed to become like Jesus in our character (2Pe.1:3,4). Instead of working out this salvation by submitting to the inner work of the Holy Spirit in us, people are very much occupied with this life. It is no wonder that they can only see do's and don'ts in the New Testament. There is need for repentance in the church at all levels.