The Bible And Math

"The sum of Thy word is truth" (Psalms 119:160, ASV). 
 
The Bible is the greatest Book ever known to mankind. When studied as a whole, the Bible can lead us to Jesus Christ and His will for us. However, the Bible is often treated like the old eight ball that we played with as kids where you would shake it up and ask it a question and some answer surfaces out of the 8-ball ink window. 
 
I have seen sincere people build doctrines on one verse removing it completely from the context of the passage and the Bible. Until we learn differently, I suppose most of us have been guilty of this at one time or another. How many of you have ever seen or heard someone use Matthew 7:1 alone and conclude that a local church or individual can never judge another person in any manner? John 3:16 is often used as the only verse to teach about salvation, but does the Bible teach that belief is the only requirement on the part of the sinner? Stay with me, please. 
 
Taking a verse out of context to declare it as a stand-alone doctrine is much like pulling a number out of a math equation and declaring it the sum! If you had a math equation, we'll think of this as a doctrinal matter, adding 65, 33, 44, 104, 34, and 98, would you dare pick one number and say, "This is the total"? Yet, many people will take a verse out of the Bible and ignore the other passages and declare it to be the sum of the doctrine. Think seriously about this matter. Is God pleased? Doesn't the Bible say something about not adding to nor taking away from God's word? (Revelation 22:18-19). 
 
"The sum of thy word is truth" (Psalms 119:160, ASV). Since the entirety or sum of God's word equals truth, is it wise to pull a verse out of context then declare it as the entire subject matter? If we wouldn't do it with a math equation, should we do it with the word of God? You be the judge. Bible doctrines can only be known in their entirety if we search and compare other verses which address the same topic (John 5:39). Let's look at some examples below. 
 
The subject of judging others is a hot topic. Many are convinced that we cannot judge in any way whatsoever because Jesus says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" (Matthew 7:1). Yet, if you study the context, you will find that Jesus is talking about hypocritical judging (Matthew 7:2-5). The Pharisees often condemned others while being guilty of greater sins of their own. People often miss what Jesus says in John 7:24, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." Now, we are getting somewhere! We are not to judge with a hypocritical judgment (Matthew 7:1-5), and here we are not to judge according to appearance. Appearances can deceive. I saw an older man leave worship after the sermon for several Sundays. By appearance, one might conclude he only wanted to hear the preaching and was just leaving early. The truth came out that his wife was sick, and he didn't need to be gone any longer than necessary. A man passed out on the side of the road should not instantly be judged as a drunk! The man may have been robbed or had a heat stroke. How, then should we judge? Jesus says with "righteous judgment." So, we can judge! What is our standard for judging righteously? The scriptures (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We found some other verses that tell us we can judge; therefore, Jesus did not declare a doctrine of no judging whatsoever when He said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." I'm sure the reader can get this point. 
 
John 3:16 may be an even hotter topic. I've heard more than a few people say, "John 3:16 is all the Bible that I need." John 3:16 is a summary statement, not a complete detailed discussion on the steps to salvation. 
 
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). 
 
If another verse can be produced to show any other condition required besides belief, then keeping with "the sum of Thy word is truth," Jesus could not be teaching belief alone saves. Let me insert something here: Jesus saves! But Jesus saves only those who respond to Him. Agreed? Believing in Jesus' death, burial and Resurrection is a major step toward salvation, but even before belief, one must hear (Romans 10:17). Is there anything after believing in Jesus Christ? Well, Jesus says, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). Repentance means to go and sin no more, stop sinning deliberately, turn away from lying, adultery, etc. Jesus says we must confess him before men (Matthew 10:32-33). Jesus says that the believer must be baptized. Mark 16:16 reads, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." Jesus says we must remain faithful to him throughout our lives (Luke 9:62); that, we must not turn back. So, do we pick and choice or do we accept all that Jesus said about the matter? It should be apparent that belief is used in John 3:16 in a way that accommodates all these things. Jesus uses belief in a way that states one part to include the whole. To deny what I've just shown is to deny "The sum of Thy word is truth." 
 
The Bible was meant to be studied as a whole unit. The truth about any religious matter can be known, but we must accept all of what is taught in the word of God on the matter. Add all the verses up on the matter to get the sum. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. 

​

Michael R. Baggett