I can’t pin point the time when I began to be aware that Bible truth must be understood in context, but not the context most people think of. “Context” is a broad subject. Most of us are familiar with context regarding Bible passages. It is essential that we know what was written before and after the text we are focused on. But, there are other layers of context, like cultural, historical, geographical, and even linguistic.

However, more important than context is understanding that the Word of God reveals truth to us and that there is a huge difference in what I call “truth on the ground” and “truth in the air”. For example, in Acts 2 we can read Peter’s famous sermon concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The truth in the air is this. “This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23a)

The truth on the ground is this. “and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:23b)

Peter correctly accused these Jews of murdering Jesus. They conspired with the Roman authorities to have Jesus killed in the most inhumane way possible. This is the truth on the ground.

But, God planned the whole thing. That is the truth in the air.

Both truths are true but seen from different perspectives. One view does not in any way cancel the other. Both are God’s truth and you and I do not have the right to choose one over the other. Both are to be believed and trusted.

There are many seemingly contradictory truths in the Bible. Many people, when confronted by one of these occurrences chooses the option that seems most comfortable to them, the one that fits the frame work of their prior teaching. One believer will read a passage and try to explain away what they don’t agree with. One will tend toward “free will” and another from the same text will lean toward “election”. God does not give us the options to choose to believe only what we like and are comfortable with.

Believe the Bible, both the comfortable and the uncomfortable passages.

Grace to you,

Royce