A Great Responsibility


Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 
2 Timothy 2:15

Our church has recently started a new bible study called 'Read the Bible for Life'.  When I heard that this study tool would be available, my heart leaped or leapt (?), because I have such a difficult time sticking to anything (I'm sure it's because of this ADD problem:).  I love to read the Word of God, but never have approached studying the Word with a great plan of action, and I lack one of the most important requirements- DISCIPLINE. 

I was prepared to come in, get a bullet list of important study guidelines, and I'd be on my way, but, I'm finding it's so much more than that.  For instance, this week, we're talking about reading Gods Word in context: Historical, Cultural, Literary and Theological. (Now don't let me lose you here, hang with me, this is really interesting:)  This study is bringing something very important home to me- Very few Christians actually KNOW the Word of God- How many times have we heard the old adage :  Spare the rod, spoil the child; Cleanliness is next to Godliness; God works in mysterious ways; God will never give us more than we can handle; the lion will lay down with the lamb; money is the root of all evil; Pride comes before the fall, etc.  While most of these things sound good, they cannot be attributed to the Bible. We'll find when reading scripture, that some of those old adages are actually twisted versions of a verse, and some may be lyrics to songs, or from a line of poetry!  Also, many times we'll hear verses taken out of context; and doing this steals the actual meaning of the scripture.  We often use those familiar man-made quotes to ease our pain, or to create a false sense of hope, rather than understanding that all scripture should point us to God, showing us  that He is our hope, and He carries our burdens-  (when we give them to Him).   

It's important for each of us to read Gods Word, and to speak God's Word IN TRUTH- which basically means, before we go sharing something from the Word of God, make sure that what we are sharing is actually in the Word, asking the Holy Spirit to show us what the LORD is saying through the passage, make sure we know who was writing the scripture, who they were writing to, and what they were writing about.  I see why the world thinks that most Christians are so flaky- because we really don't look like we KNOW what we're talking about. And if we don't speak the Word in truth, it's best for us to keep our mouths closed, so that we are not deceiving others.

We have a blessed life as believers, however, we also have a great responsibility to share the Word of God, a Word that is true, right, never changing, that does not contradict itself, a Word that always accomplishes what God has planned,  a Word that is accurate, and even historical....and prophetical!  A Word that applied 1000 years ago, that applies to us today, and will apply to us hundreds of years from now, if the LORD tarries.  

Rather than being discouraged, I'd like to challenge you, as I have been challenged, to KNOW this precious Word, and for this Word to be deep in our hearts, so that it naturally flows from our mouths.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" Luke 6:45

"For the Word of God is full of living power.  It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires.  It exposes us for what we really are."  Hebrews 4: 12

Ask God to give you a desire to read His Word, and to show you what He has for you today!

Blessings,