Intro to Bible Biology

This week my lessons in Becoming more are discussing how to read the Bible. It taught me this great way to look at passages - where you slice it up and dissect it! So - as an exercise in humility - I will try it publicly. We'll start with my life verse:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

'I have told you' ... He didn't say I am telling you. He said I HAVE told you: meaning I am telling you AGAIN. God is reassuring. God knows we just don't get it ... unless we hear it 100 times. So he is telling us, again.

'these things' ... He said in the earlier passage that "a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home ..."

'SO THAT' ... Here is where he grabs our shoulders and shakes us (figuratively), meaning listen up! This is what you need to know:

'in me you may have peace' ... He specifically says IN ME. We can't find peace in anything else. Not in relaxation techniques, hot bubble baths, McDonalds Happy Meals. Nothing will bring true peace besides Christ. He is telling us that so that we get it through our thick skulls: WE NEED HIM.

'In this world' ... I think this alludes to our world being an exception. Heaven is going to be a different place. In this world things are not the way God intended. But another world is waiting in the wings.

'you will have trouble' ... That's a promise you can take to the bank. You will have trouble. Not maybe, not possibly, not a slight chance - you WILL.

'But take heart' ... God always offer hope in our fallen world

'I have overcome the world' ... God always reminds us of His absolute power. Maybe He knows we need to hear it. We desire security. So He offers us that by telling of His Sovereignty. He conquered the grave. He beat this world. He survived death and lives! He is our strength. He is our fortress. We do not need to fear our trouble. The God of creation has our back.


There you go. Pick a passage and dissect it yourself now!