Interpretation

Interpretation.  Isn't that most of life?  How you interpret something?  Maybe it's art, music, a conversation, body language.  We spend a lot of time interpreting people and things.  One of the things I think people have forgotten is that we all interpret the bible differently.  What?  You interpret the bible?  You bet.  We all read it differently, hear pastors and leaders preach differently, and have numerous life experiences that we bring to the table when we read the bible.

Sadly, interpretation of the bible is probably not something the units us as Christians.  In my opinion it's what has caused divisions.  I am mostly thinking of my church and the decisions made this summer, but think back to the beginning of churches as we know it.  It is interpretation that separates us as Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, and any other "denomination" we choose.

This is not a bad thing.  I think it should cause us to open our eyes to how the Holy Spirit speaks to all of us.  My prayer recently has been that we could all say "I see that you interpret or "read" the bible differently than me.  That's fine.  I don't agree with you.  My hope and prayer is that you pray and seek the Holy Spirit in your understanding of Scripture just as I pray and seek the Holy Spirit when I read the bible."

I read the same bible and I pray to a God who has made me a Child and loves me with a steadfast love that endures forever.  Every time we pray or read the bible we all come to the same cross and the same empty tomb as sinners.  We come seeking forgiveness for all of sins.  Yes, maybe my interpretation of the bible you think is sinful, but I have so many sins in my life and they are all forgiven.  God has hid his face from all my sins and forgot my iniquities.  Who knows what heaven will be like.  Maybe when I get there, God will say  "oops, you interpreted the bible wrong" but I don't think so.  My prayer in my interpretation of the bible is that I can love and forgive all of the children of God no matter what.  That I can spread the love of Christ to all.  So, please remember that I may be interpreting the bible, but I am reading it to be able to be made into the person God wants me to be.  Into a child of God.  So agree or don't agree with how I read it, but realize that I pray and that I hear the Holy Spirit telling me I am a beloved child of God and that I am a work in progress.  And my work in progress is to spread the love of Christ.  My mission is to share the Good News and live a life of love and service to others only through the forgiveness I have received in Christ.  So interpret how you may, but may we all strive to have an open heart to all people who feel called as Christians to share the Good News!