What Guides You?

When I watched the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean movie, I knew immediately there had to be another - you can't leave a story in the middle like that. I also spent a little time thinking about something from the first movie that jumped out at me. The pirates kept talking about the "code". They were strict about living by the code until one person started calling it more of just a guideline. This troubled me because I began to think about the Bible and how so many people use it as a guideline and some many people use it as a rule book. Where do I fit into this picture? Do I use it as a guide in some places and rule book in others, and if so, where is this decided?

Paul in I Thessalonians 2:1-16 spends a little time dealing with the same thing. He tells them that he came not looking for a pat on the back. He came wide open or transparent. Paul wasn't using tricks of the trade to get people to believe. He wasn't preaching how to live without actually living it himself (v. 10). Paul really believed what he was speaking.

Paul did not have the aid of study Bibles during his time. Thus, he had to rely on example and teaching from the Old Testament books. But he seems to lean towards using the guideline method. Then you read 2 Timothy 3:16,17 - "16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives ("useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training" in the NIV); it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 17 It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone." (The Living Bible).

If we are to believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible as Paul describes, then maybe the Bible more than just a guideline. The way I see it, the Old Testament is a good guide (and rule book) for questions not answered in the New Testament. The New Testament, itself, is our introduction to a new way of life and a new way to live. Our motivations, as were Paul's, are driven by our trust in Jesus as the Son of God. We are thus inspired by His commands and His gift of life and our sensitivity to the inner leading of the Holy Spirit.

Paul says he wanted to encourage the people. He believed fully in their potential. He also wanted to comfort them. Comfort allows for failure and helps to put us "back in the saddle". Paul finally mentions being urgent. Urgency is not formed in just the hope that Jesus can return at any moment. Urgency shows us our need to be able to approach a loving and forgiving God.

So, where do you fit? How do you use God's Word? Is it a good guide or is it your example for life? Do you see the Bible as encouragement, comfort, and urgent?

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