Pet Theories

02.21.15

Mark 12.24-27 24 …“Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” – Jesus (ESV)

The Scriptures were not written to make us feel better and to underscore whatever pet beliefs we have: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3.16-17) Feeling good for our own comfort is the least thing the Scriptures address.

The Sadducees (a Jewish religious sect in Jesus’ day) didn’t believe the Scriptures: they believed their own pet theories that they derived from the Scriptures. Pet theories cause trouble. The Sadducees didn’t believe in one of the key truths of the Scripture: resurrection from the dead.

What happened in the Garden was that Adam and Eve died – they lost their standing with God. They sinned. They fell. And from that moment when they sinned and fell God set about His premeditated plan to redeem them from eternal separation from Himself. Eternal separation is death. But God’s plan encompasses the reversal of human death, it also proves that God (Who is eternal) desires to be in fellowship with us undeserving creatures for all eternity – not only something future, but also something present. God to the rescue.

And so, God gave us His word to teach us – if we will be taught. God gave us His word to reprove us – to make us see how stupid human reasoning can be. He also gave us His word for correction to show us the right way to think. And, He gave us His word to train us to be righteous (B.asic I.nstruction B.efore L.eaving E.arth). The only feel good perhaps is that God is in control of every aspect of the believer’s life and because of that, the believer will spend all eternity working alongside God in whatever God has in store for the ones who believe.

The Sadducees called that bunk. (Many today call that bunk.) Jesus calls them wrong. And Jesus pointed out that the God of the Scriptures (the very Scriptures they read and studied) said of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’; not, ‘I was…’. God is the God of the Living and the living are those who believe in Him and that belief results in a life that never stops living.

Father, may I read and know Your Scriptures, not just filling my head with facts, but filling my heart with Your life; the life You give to those who believe what You have said, and are not just seeking credence to pet theories. Teach me, reprove me, correct me, and train me in righteousness that I may live out eternity prepared better for what You would have me do with You there… Amen.