I walked into an establishment recently and there was a female employee sitting at the front who directed people to what office they needed to go to. As I approached I realized that she was reading a Bible. This peaked my interest and I thought it was a good opportunity to talk about the Word. I asked her: “What are you reading?” She replied: “The Bible.” I replied back: “Yes ma’am, I see that, but what are you reading in the Bible?” She answers back: “Matthew.” I started to ask another question when she cut me off, with a tone of frustration, and said: “What do you want, where do you need to go?” I told her and I was on my way. Obviously she didn’t want to talk about the Bible.
It got me to thinking about this. Do we read our Bible, but not apply it? Do we read our Bible, but not want to share the Gospel? Do we read our Bible, but not want to hang around other believers?
You see if a person was in Matthew they would eventually read Jesus saying: 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 (Matthew 7:24-27).
Then as they proceeded they would make it to Luke 11:28 “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” And then Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
You wouldn’t buy paint to paint your house and just read the label and put it away. No to reap the benefits the paint must be applied. The Bible is not a book to be read and put away like a nice set of stories. No it is the Word of God and must be applied to our lives.
James 1:22-25 NLT
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
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