Growing In Christ And Ministry Starts With The Word of God

How would you describe your relationship with the Bible? Is it deep and intimate? Can you navigate your way around it with confidence? Or is it a special occasion kind of relationship? Are you always a little nervous whenever someone asks you a question or two about doctrine or your beliefs? 

Great Men of Faith And The Scriptures 

Here’s how David, the psalmist and king of Israel, described his relationship with the word, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” (Ps 119:97)

Job said, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

Paul wrote this to Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim 4:16)

A Gradual Decline in Bible Reading

Something I’ve noticed over the years is that very few Christians read and study the Bible with any regularity. And it’s not just my own personal observation.

According to the Ponce Foundation, and take this for what it’s worth, of over 2 billion Christians in the world, less than 30% will ever read through the entire Bible. The fact is over 82% of Christian Americans only read their Bibles on Sundays while in church. 

This tells me that most of us were never taught the importance of the scriptures, probably because our Christian teachers were never taught either. People can’t pass on to others what they don’t know and practice themselves. 

I believe part of the reason is that many consider the Bible just another book. But it is so much more than just another book. Even so much more than the bestselling book of all time. Heb 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Real Cost of Ignorance

If we aren’t reading and studying the word of God, then we won’t know his promises, warnings, blessings, curses, wisdom, and prophecies. But it actually gets worse than that. 

God said in the first part of Hosea chapter 4, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” Not just general knowledge, “but because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.”

Here’s how Jesus underscored this reality in Matt 7:21-27

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Reap The Benefits!

The word of God was written for our benefit, not only in this life but in the one to come. But the only way to realize the power of God and the benefits of his word is to read it, hear it, and do it. The blessings are the results of obeying his commands. But if we don’t know them, how can we obey them?

Much of the world is anxious, depressed, and living lives of general sorrow and uncertainty. Why? They don’t know God or his ways. Prov 13:15 says, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

Ps 7:11 says, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Imagine life knowing God is angry with you every day. Yikes!

But here’s what Christians who read their Bibles know:

• Depressed? Ps 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

• Anxious? Phil 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

• Uncertain? Matt 6:31-33, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

• Sin? Mistakes? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Tools To Make Bible Reading Easier

You might be wondering how you’re going to fit any meaningful Bible reading into your busy schedule. I don’t consider myself much of a reader, so, believe me, I get it. But I have a couple of suggestions for you.

The first is called The One Year Bible. To say it has changed my life is an understatement. I’ll explain more in the video below.

The second is to download and go through the Free Bible Studies found here.

If you’re interested in more, then I’ll suggest my book, A Man of the Word. It’s available on Amazon.com in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook.

Growing in Christ is not accidental; it’s deliberate. If you aren’t reading, hearing, and doing the word, you aren’t growing. Period. I can say that because, for many years, I didn’t read at all. Later, I only read it on Sundays in church. Then I got a One Year Bible and read it every day. At the time of this writing, I’ve read the entire Bible every year for about the last 25 years. Because of that, my knowledge and confidence in the scriptures today tower over the man I used to be. I’ve heard similar comments from others who read The One Year Bible.   

David beautifully summarizes the power and blessing of the word of God in Psalm 19:7-11. Let his words urge you to dig into the scriptures for yourself like a miner searching for gold!

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Some of the links here are affiliate links to helpful products or services. We might be compensated in some way to help offset the expenses of keeping this blog free to everyone. Make your own blog with JetPage here!