Lesson 5 | Application & Decisions
"Amplications" and the new covenant
An alternative term
im·pli·ca·tion noun
the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.
Eg. Everything that exists belongs to God. (Genesis 1:1)
Let us consider a second concept—implications—and think about how they are distinguished from applications. In researching online discussions of this distinction, the most helpful comments I found come from a blogger identified as “Mrs. Thompson” who encourages the women in her book study with the following.
HOWEVER, I do want to offer an alternative to [the author's] system of finding a verse to apply to your life – or at least a word of caution when doing that. I would like to see us move away from looking for “application” every time we read Scripture. While it is true that the whole Bible is applicable to us, I think that in this day and age the questions “how does that apply to me?” or “how is that relevant to my life?” have resulted in a lot of “me-centered” Christians. The truth is, though, that we should be Christ-centered Christians first! So I would like to suggest that instead of asking what the “application” of a verse is, ask what the “implication” of that verse or passage is.
Let’s develop this idea further.
What are the differences between suggested application points and implications?
1. Applications put me in the lead, whereas implications are driven by the text of Scripture.
Mrs. Thompson makes this point, but there is even more to it. Think about the nature of the words “apply” and “imply.” With applications, I am the actor—the one applying them. On the other hand, it is the text which implies I live a certain way. Instead of “How do I apply this text?,” the question becomes, “What does the text imply?” Of course this is not to belittle our responsibility to respond with action. (See point #3.) It is just more accurate with regard to the driving force behind that action—namely, the Bible.
2. Implications are much harder to separate from their foundation.
While implications are not explicitly found in the text, they are nonetheless demanded by the text. On the other hand, applications are subjective, valid for one person but not another. For that reason, they are more easily discarded by our deceitful hearts. But implications are part-and-parcel to the truths of the Bible.
3. Applications are actions.
However, the aspect where the term “application” serves us better is with regard to its demand for action. It is, as you will recall, “the action of putting something into operation.” While the word “implication” does not exclude action, neither does it require it. But God does.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. —James 1:22
Still, note that James does not expect the readers of his letter to think on how they can apply the text, but rather just to do it—that is, live out what it commands and clearly implies should happen in our lives. You could say that we are called to apply the implications.
When in doubt, make up a word
We could leave it at that. We have explored the pros and cons of the terms “application” and “implication,” and certainly the above discussion is the most important part. But we have also noted that neither term completely captures what we are after. Thus a third option is to make up a new term, and that is exactly what we will do.
am·pli·ca·tion noun
the action that is demanded from the text, though it is not explicitly stated.
Eg. Live your life for God since you and everything else belong to him. (Genesis 1:1)
While urban dictionary has already claimed a definition for this word (“an ample application of something”), I do not think many are using it. Thus, we have presumed to redefine it. But word redefinitions aside, where does this all leave us? What do amplications look like in our teaching?
The answer, of course, is already laid out in the definition and distinctions outlined above. In our teaching preparation, we ought to stop and ponder the “So what?!” of the text. We ought to ask how we live this text. And the answers to these questions should make it into our teaching. That is, we ought to let the text of Scripture make its life-changing demands upon us and our hearers.
Do not neglect to give examples
Thus, amplications tied tightly to the text and objectively relevant to all are better than applications which are subjective and hit-and-miss in their relevance. But that is not to discount examples for us to learn from and imitate.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. —Hebrews 13:7
Reading the above quotation, especially in light of the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11, clearly demonstrates for us that it is good to point to positive examples in our teaching. And certainly the Bible is not short on negative examples of warning either. This is one of the big things that biblical narrative is for!
What we do not find are suggested applications. We are never told that if such-and-such happens this week or if we are in such-and-such a situation, then we might try to do a pre-prescribed application. Rather, we are commanded to live out clear gospel commands and to live in all the implications of the good news. And we are given a picture of what this looks like through a plentiful supply of examples.
Therefore, let the amplications we highlight be direct and sharp as the demanded response of the text. And let us point to where these amplications have or are being lived out. In this way, we will be able to teach them with authority and power.
New covenant amplication
What are the “clear gospel commands” we find the Bible? Here is where we come back to being sure our interpretation is in accord with the big message of the Bible. For if it is not, our attempts at amplication could easily become legalism. We are new covenant worshippers of God, and the new covenant is not like the old!
In the new covenant, God has forgiven his people's sin and brought them into a close relationship with him. For this reason, they do not need you to teach them as if they did not know God. He lives in their hearts through the Spirit he has given them! Thus, they do not need you to write out for them a list of laws by which they might come to know God. They need you to speak to their hearts as a fellow heir of grace—and on the basis of that grace. There, in their hearts, God's Spirit will confirm your teaching and write his perfect will.
It is the difference between external commands empowered by fear of condemnation, and an internal, joyful obedience emerging from knowing God and based upon the salvation he has already given us. Obedience to the external commands does not last because the heart was never there, and when we fail to live up to them there is no hope. But when God writes his law on our hearts, it then comes from within and remains a part of the new creation he has made us and is making us to be.
So in your amplications, speak to people's hearts as the new covenant itself does!
...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Ephesians 4:28
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Ephesians 5:3
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-21
** Note: Understand that terminology is not the important part. Use your preferred term, be it applications, implications or amplications. Only let us attach to it a biblical meaning.