Picture this scenario for a moment:The owner of a company that employs a few hundred workers was preparing himself for an extended business trip out of town. Before he left, he sat down and wrote a lengthy letter of guidance and instruction, including detailed projects he wanted accomplished while we was away, clients he wanted contacted, and tasks he expected his all his employees to do while he was away. He finished his letter and put copies of the letter in each employees inbox to ensure they all had a copy to be read.
Satisfied that all loose ends were tied so they could be successful while he was away, he headed to the airport, and boarded his plane.
Several months later, he returned. Upon his arrival he immediately noticed the grounds hadn't been maintained. The grass had obviously not been cut in weeks, the lawn was littered with trash and debris, the shrubs and trees needed trimming, and the doors were marked with hand-prints and scuffs.
He parked his car and hurried inside. Employees were lounging in their chairs, drinking coffee and talking, feet propped on desks, and most weren't even dressed in appropriate office attire. A ping-pong table had been set up, and an array of video games littered the flat surfaces. His arrival went completely unnoticed.
Angry, he called a meeting of the entire management staff. When they all had gathered, he began his tirade.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing! Everything is completely different from what I expected it would be. What has been going here? Didn't you get my letter of guidance and instruction?"
Their faces brightened, and someone replied, "Yes sir, we did. We love that letter. We read it almost every day."
"In fact," said one man, "I've even memorized several paragraphs from your letter."
"It's terrific reading," others chimed in.
Another spoke up saying, "Sir, we've organized some study groups. We gather at least once a week and re-read portions of your letter to make sure we understand it all, and even debate on what we do and don't agree on. That's usually when we take a break, before things get heated. We've figured out if we don't discuss it much then there won't be any arguments here in the office."
Dumbfounded, he asked his employees, "But did you finish the projects? Did you call the clients? Did you do the things I asked you to do?" At that, everyone looked down. One man finally spoke on behalf of the group, saying, "No sir... you see, we're still studying your letter."
You see my friends, our problem isn't whether or not we fail to understand certain biblical truths or concepts. Our problem is actually living out the truths and concepts that we do understand. Each and every one of us have all been trusted with a letter from God. A letter from the boss Himself, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Are you content to simply read the letter He left for you? Perhaps study it, maybe memorizing pieces of it here and there so you know all the right quotes and things to say when questioned?
When are you going to put it into practice?
It's one thing for Christians to say, "We believe the Bible!" However, it's quite another to behave as though we believe. Not just the part of His Word that we decide to make time for, not simply the parts that are convenient or easy to accomplish, and not just portions that already line up with how we feel or what we've been programmed to think all our lives...
Rather, all that we know and have learned through our own reading and studies should be applied. You see, once we know what the scriptures say, we are accountable for applying those instructions and teachings!
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
(James 4:17)
You see, failing to do what God wants us to do is just as much a sin just as doing what God has told us not to do.
Daily reading, doing bible studies, and memorization of God's Word, are all wonderful ways to grow closer to the Father and build up our relationship with Him... and we should be seeking out more of what the Word of God has for us! However, the goal of reading and bible study is not simply to determine what it says and what it means, but to apply what we read and study. It's not just there for information, it's there for transformation! His word should be boiling over into our hearts, not just stacked up in our heads.
All scripture is inspired by God, useful for teaching, reproof, correction, training.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Teaching shows us what is right. Just like a compass, the Bible always points us in the right direction.
And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.
(Deuteronomy 28:13)
Reproof shows us when and where we are wrong. When we look into God's Word, we can see ourselves more clearly, and where changes need to be made when we're truly honest with ourselves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
(James 1:23-25)
Correction shows us how to make things right and get on track so we're making a difference for God's kingdom, and being more of a Christ-like example for others to follow. Just as we correct our own children when they lie, throw tantrums, or slack in studies, scriptures correct us in the faults we make daily.
Training in righteousness develops discipline to live right, even when it's not easy to do. This training comes through practice. Putting God's Word into place within our lives. We're not perfect, we will make mistakes, that's why it's called practice. But as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.
Application then begins to take place as we are confronted with the truth we read/hear/study, and we respond to that truth with faithful obedience. If we don't apply the scriptures we read, study, and memorize, we're only cutting short the entire process, and haven't finished what God wants us to do!
Let's make our beliefs and our behaviors one and the same, all for the glory of God. Then may we find rest in knowing there will be no shame when He unexpectedly returns!
