What's the Call?

During a Monday night football game on September 24, 2012 between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers it call came down to a final play. There were only eight seconds left in regulation. The Seahawks were down 12-7, but they had the ball on the twenty-four yard line and one shot at the comeback win. 

Quarterback Russell Wilson released a high, arcing Hail Mary pass toward the end zone. Two Seattle Seahawks and four Green Bay Packers leaped to catch it. The mass of hulking athletes landed, the ball somewhere among them. One official signaled touchdown Seahawks. One official signaled interception Packers. Who was right? 

Everyone in the stadium was in mass hysteria and the millions of fans watching at home were no doubt yelling at their televisions. After a video review, the Seahawks were awarded the touchdown by the officials. The Seahawks were ecstatic, the Packers were irate. And the team of referees that botched the call by sending mixed signals came under heavy fire from fans and sports commentators. 

When I saw a replay (click here) of this controversial call I was reminded how much we need an authoritative standard in our lives. If getting the right call matters in an NFL game, then how much more does this rule apply in our spiritual lives? Even though those refs were supposed to be impartial judges, they each saw the play unfold differently. Their human limitations came out in a moment when we desperately wanted and needed the right call. 

For the Christian, the Bible is what makes the final and authoritative call on all matters. The term “sola Scriptura” or “the Bible alone” is a short phrase that was handed down during the Reformation which represents the simple truth that there is only one special revelation from God that man possesses today. And that is the 66 books of the Bible. 

In the very last commandment in the Bible God resolutely tells us not to add to nor take away from His Word (Rev. 22:18-19). Psalm 199:160 says, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Moreover, the Bible unapologetically says of itself that it is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16), unbreakable (John 10:35), indestructible (Is. 40:6-8) and inerrant (John 17:17).

For this reason, our study of the Bible cannot be treated simply as an academic exercise. Unless we are willing to obey God’s Word with a sincere heart, we will never learn the deepest truths it contains about eternal life. Moreover, the Bible never asks for our opinion on a specific matter that we would like to debate. It doesn't really matter what we think or if we accuse it of being outdated, wrong or unrealistic. Our obedience to God's word is not conditioned upon us understanding it exhaustively. As Mark Twain commented, "It ain't those parts of the Bible I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." 

So what are you relying on to be your final authority in life? A self-styled prophet or guru? Tradition? Pop-culture? Yourself? When you boil it down there are really only two choices—man’s word vs. God’s word. According to Jesus, building a life on man’s word is about as foolish as erecting a skyscraper on quicksand, while relying on God’s Word results in a life that can endure the adverse storms (Matt. 7:24-27). -DM