Mishandling Scripture

Matthew 18:20

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

First of all, let me apologize for neglecting this blog. I have been extremely busy with a few projects at work lately that has been very demanding of my time. Also, my wife is under new pain management and she is finally getting some major relief from chronic pain that has plagued her for the past 19 years. That is worthy of praise! Amen!

Today I would like to take a moment to express my views on how we sometimes may read a passage of Scripture and interpret it to fit our narrative, or situation. There are many, shall I say, cliches that are taken from Scripture. But in all fairness, they are more than that. They are misused or mishandled portions of biblical text taken out of context to fit those narratives.

For instance, in the passage above from Matthew 18, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" this often used to describe a church setting where Christians gather. In a small setting with only only handful of faithful to a stadium style auditorium it is often used to ensure the hearts of the attendees, that Jesus is in their midst.

True enough, Jesus is in the midst of the heart of every believer, in the form of the Holy Spirit. He enjoins us in our congregations, our communion and in our private or social settings. But in the case of this particular verse, we find that it is often taken completely out of context of the prior verses in Matthew 18.

For the last portion of Matthew Chapter 18 primarily deals with church discipline and to cope with and deal with a sinning brother - not a church setting or gathering. There, in the midst of that disciplining moment, our efforts to restore a brother or sister out of their sin, is to provide comfort in knowing that Christ is in the midst, where two or three are gathered in His name, so that the sinning brother or sister can be won back to Christ.

Of course there are many other Scripture verses I could point out. But until one reads Scriptures with a great deal of scrutiny and discernment, and reads it in its complete context, one will always be subjected to mishanding God's word.

2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Blessings to you all.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

Tom