I’ve probably mentioned before that I have the ESV Reader’s Bible — a 6-volume set of high quality (paper and printing) that leaves out all chapter and verse numbers, as well as any footnotes and (most) headers. It is an absolute delight to read. The flow is so much better without the distractions, and you find yourself reading pretty much as the original readers (or hearers) did.
Reading this way is helpful. I believe it gives a more complete picture, and, while there is still plenty of room for the Bible packed full of the extraneous information, I would venture to say that any disadvantages from reading without divisions and notes are more than compensated by the ability to read cleanly without the “chaos.” Maybe it just better allows for the Spirit to do the work he was meant to do for you.
His lesson for me today was in Romans, and I enjoyed it. Somewhere I believe in the 12th chapter…if I had the numbers.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
And later…
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
I’ve often mentioned my disdain for social media and my desire to avoid it. Still, I would check in at times out of boredom or need of distraction. It wasn’t really until I read that passage – something I’ve done countless times, I’m sure – that it struck me how much the poison of social media prevents you from doing exactly what Paul is saying. It’s pretty clear when browsing these sites that many of those who traffic on them want nothing to do with acts of kindness for their enemies. They would love nothing more than cold vengeance and the payment of evil upon them.
And so how can I – or any other who claims the name of Christ – spend time with them in their pool of bitterness and not be affected? There may be a few (saints for sure) who pray over those who are trapped in social media’s cycles of hatred and angst, but not me – as much as I try to empathize, there are far too many times when I’m made a fool by those who will say something so obviously false I feel the need to respond (but thankfully, never do).
So what do we do? While it’s obvious, it’s also not easy. We remove the apps, or put down the phone altogether. Stay away. Hang on God and his every word. Pick up the Bible, read it, listen to what it says. One can hardly go wrong with, “so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” I love that verse – because we cannot control the actions of others, but we can control our own. And we would do well to remember…
…each of us will give an account of himself to God.
I pray that the Holy Spirit guides you to the truth of God and his Living Word.
There is nothing better.
