Would you like to know how you can make the Word of God personal to you? Would you like to know how the Word of God can be more effective in your everyday life? The answer is simple: you must receive the Word of God as a real, relevant, relatable and practical Word. You cannot look at the Word of God as being merely theoretical.
Although the Bible contains excellent advice and illuminating insights, the purpose of the Bible is not simply to provide interesting insights and advice for us to muse over. The Word of God is an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth. It is to be given real-world application.
Jesus said, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock" (Mt 7:24 NKJV). The man who utilized a rock-solid foundation in building his house withstood the fiercely tempestuous storm. In stark contrast, Jesus warns, "Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them," is a fool, and the turbulent storms will destroy his foundation and, in turn, his house (v. 26-27).
Notice that the man was not chastised because he built an inadequate structure. The man was not at fault for failing to hear. He was not faulted for failing to understand or even believe the Word of the Lord. No, the man was faulted for failing to act on them. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...the man who looks intently into the perfect law...not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does" (Jas 1:22-25 NIV).
We can easily get caught up in self-deception if we think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills our obligation to it. God desires to bring to pass -- to fulfill -- His purpose in giving us His Word. That requires not just believing, but doing the Word. James didn’t say, "he will be blessed in what he believes," but "he will be blessed in what he does!" When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites, they responded by saying, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." That must likewise be our response.
We can easily get caught up in self-deception if we think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills our obligation to it. God desires to bring to pass -- to fulfill -- His purpose in giving us His Word. That requires not just believing, but doing the Word. James didn’t say, "he will be blessed in what he believes," but "he will be blessed in what he does!" When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites, they responded by saying, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." That must likewise be our response.
Father, I pray that this message compels those reading it to act on Your Word. Let it motivate those who have received revelation and instruction from You to do that which You have instructed. I pray for a special impartation of grace necessary to do Your Word. I pray that the one reading this will say, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (I Cor. 15:10). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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I apologize for my delinquent response to the latest messages on this blog. As it turns out a good spiritual friend and I were catching up over lunch today. He travels frequently so we rarely see each other.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoy encouraging each other with our testimonies and insights about the Word. And this day we were discussing the very point Rev Janice raises in this latest message about the practicality of God's Word.
If a friend has approached you with issues because they see something in you that draws them to you they don't see in others.... and you have that discussion with them (calling on the Spirit for guidance)... then that discussion needs to be sealed with prayer.
This is bringing the Word into the everyday.... into the stressed, confused existence others are mired in.
It can be like quicksand. If you've seen any Tarzan movies, you get my drift. When folks are sinking and desperately flailing, we need to be available with the vine of God's word.
A great visual... jungle vines with bibles tied to the ends :-)
This is the very essence of Jesus' manner and speech...... making the Word practical.
Thank you once again Rev Janice for an excellent exhortation..... Bro Larry
Hi Rev Janice.... Your recent newsletter message on Change was excellent and well articulated. Too bad more cannot read this. It's as though to say a person buys a new suit of clothes, then hangs them in the closet. What purpose does that serve?! We must display our garments of belief in hope of others asking "Where did you "buy" THAT?" With which we may reply, "This garment is free and one size fits all!" :-) Continue with the good words.... Bro Larry
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