THE IMPORTANCE AND PURPOSE OF CONTEXT

by | Mar 4, 2025 | Prophetic | 1 comment

Theologians and teachers of God’s word frequently discuss the importance and purpose of the cultural context in which Scripture was written. This is a wise understanding to grasp. It helps us accurately apply Scripture to the cultural context in which the word was written. In some cases, understanding the context of a culture will change how we interpret God’s truth.

The same holds true for the context in which we currently live. That context is equally important to understand. Jesus said, referencing the importance of discerning context, “You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!” (Matthew 16: 2). The truth of God can many times reside behind what is prematurely defined by a natural mind. It remains hidden until it is discerned by the Spirit.

To speak, write, or prophesy a word from the Lord requires that we properly evaluate our current context so we will know how to rightly apply God’s truth to the season in which we live. It’s in that context where people will either prosper or live in bondage.

Some elements within the Church have become overly focused on the individual personalities of those who are creating a new context where waste and fraud have been allowed to run rampant. This is not only happening in our culture. It is happening in the Church. To preserve a context where these abuses are allowed to continue misses the mark of discernment.

The massive change that is taking place in the Church and within the nation is a messy business. It is messy because people like you and me, and those we ordain or elect, will be tasked to expose where waste and fraud are taking place that rob the Church and a nation of its God-ordained purpose. We can too easily become defenders of the abuse when God has planned freedom.

While everyone has an opinion about our current context and how to move forward, it is the new context where we should direct our attention. This will raise two questions: “Does what we allow and even defend improve or degrade our current context? Will our choices move us forward into a greater revelation of God’s truth and the founding principles of our nation?” We live within a context that must be evaluated by hard truth, not our shallow and emotional illusions.

If we are to follow the Lord into this new and yet-to-be-defined future, we will need to lay aside our prohibitions. We cannot allow our displeasure regarding the personalities of the people initiating the change to dictate our response to the change that must take place before a new context is revealed. To do this requires that we follow the truth and the principles expressed in God’s word, not our opinions or any allegiance we have formed that will oppose such change. 

1 Comment

  1. AnnieGrace

    Good word!

    Reply

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