Thursday, January 27, 2011

Order of Operations

Ok, here's a simple arithmetic problem for you:  What is  4 + 3 X 5 ?  Did you get 35 or did you get 19?  It all depends on how you look at it.  Did you add 4 and 3 and then multiply that by 5 or did you multiply 3 by 5 first and then add 4?  The correct way is the latter.  The correct answer is 19.  In mathematics, there is a certain order in which we calculate (called the Order of Operations...Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally).  If there wasn't a set, correct order, we could all interpret the problem differently, and thus, get different answers. 

The same is true about the Bible.  Depending on how we read and interpret passages, the true meaning could be all over the map.  I know some passages are very hard to discern, but it is what it is.  We can't add to or take away from any part of it.  We can't twist and turn the meaning around just so it will fit snug into our own personal lives.  Rather, God set the "Order of Operations" and we must take it exactly as He intended it to be.  If we could read it any 'ole way, we would all come up with different answers.  But there is only One answer...God's answer.  I have always loved this saying at Christmas:  X-mas.  Solve for X.  Christ is the only solution....

Psalm 119:160 says, "All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal."

Oh Father, I ask you to please open my eyes to your Truths each day.  Help me to always follow Your correct order of operations.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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