Rules of Engagement

Instruction manuals? Am I the only one who has a love/hate
relationship with them? I recently open a package for a device that literally needed one AA battery and 3 pieces assembled in a very obvious way...and the "instructions" were a freakin' 16 pages of the smallest type I'd ever seen! It had to be written in 4 point type or something...ridiculous, what a waste of paper? It's like flying on an airplane...where they tell you how to "buckle your seat belt"? Really? Is that necessary? And it begs the question, that "if" you do not know how to "buckle your seat belt"...should you even be out in public at all? Seriously, some instructions do seem to be a waste. On the other hand, honestly, I have also "loved" my instruction booklet when the thing has 42 steps that some engineering genius thought up. You know, the type of thing you build and you are surprised it even holds together and functions as it should. I have found myself after those "assemblies" being amazed at the genius of the dude or dudettes who thought this thing up! But what if all I did was read the booklet's instructions, but never "did what it said"? Well, then I wouldn't have the first hand experience of "knowing" that this thing is genius! I could guess at it rationally perhaps...but I would not have "experienced" it, as the designer intended. Much can be said similarly in regards the bible. It is one thing to "read it", "analyze it", "systematically study it", and even organize it's contents into "principles" and "guidelines"...but those things "in the book" won't get you to your destination...heaven, the place God has prepared for you. These facts won't get you forgiveness, healing, peace, comfort or victory. The "book" doesn't get you there...but the One "the book" is about will. Jesus said all the Law, the prophets...all scripture speaks about Him. In fact Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, and said they knew it well, yet they failed to see "Who it was all about". Jesus said also that "all the law & prophets could be summed up in this: love God with your whole heart, mind & soul...and love others as you love yourself." Often, in church circles, we act as if the principles, laws, and the stuff in the book is gonna get you to heaven. As a result, so many feel like they "don't know enough"...that they have memorized scripture after scripture and it doesn't work...that they have become intimidated by the shear volume & complexity of the scriptures... the "Word of God"...that apparently goes over "their head". Yet, those same scriptures make it clear that all these scriptures speak of Someone... and it's "that" Someone who can get you where you need to be. That Someone invites us into a relationship...a relationship of trust. That Someone has made a way for anyone who trusts in Him. There is no more barriers in the way hindering our relationship with God...not even the volumes of scripture many are intimidated by. As Jesus said, don't forget, all these scriptures are about "Me". If you know every line of scripture, but not the One in whom it speaks...you have nothing! The whole point of bible study, is to reveal the heart of God towards you...and to allow you to experience the Truth...the Way...and how Life is intended to be lived out! Will scripture, the active scripture that is alive by God's Spirit, reveal God to man...oh ya, it will. Many have called the bible, God's love story to each and every one of us. But at ECHO, we realize that in church circles, we often present the bible as an academic pursuit of rational information, laws & principles...not the love letter it is intended to be. The point is "relationship"...it always has been...for the Eternal God is love. This is meant to be a child-like faith journey...i.e. easy...not a series of intellectual hurdles that only a few can conquer. If we study the "rule book" to the last letter...but miss the opportunity to engage the God of the Universe in a trusting eternal relationship...then we've missed the point entirely. Jesus said so...

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO