(Thomas Merton, Opening the Bible, quoted in Yancey, Philip, 1998. Church: Why Bother? 14)
I am challenged by these words. One so often reads the Bible for comfort, but this seems to nudge me into reading the Bible for discomfort—to examine myself in its light and to judge my behaviour and attitudes more objectively by what it teaches.
I suppose that all people are eisegetes by nature. We subconsciously read into Scripture an interpretation that makes us feel better about ourselves, and what we do and think. A past Bishop of Johannesburg used to criticise people who preached what he called “brassiere sermons”—“warm, comforting, and uplifting”. He felt that sermons should challenge their hearers. Likewise our use of Scripture; although we may seek comfort within its pages, we should also (more importantly) be seeking to be challenged by what it says.
The character of Jesus must always be a challenge to me. Even at my best, I don’t really shape up. Although He accepts me as I am, that can never be a cause for complacency (or an excuse!).
If this is perfectionism, then I think it is defensible. If I seek to grow each day more like Jesus, I can’t expect Him to do all the work. I must also make an effort. I can really only find the instructions to guide me in my effort by letting the Bible challenge me.
The good news, of course, is that my salvation does not depend upon some celestial score-sheet, recording how well (or badly) I imitate Jesus. If it were, I should be in serious trouble. My salvation is assured by my placing my faith in Jesus
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)