On the Word: "...preparing your minds for action..."
Pouring over the words contained in the Bible can bring so many things to light with each passing moment. Reading God’s holy word can renew your mind and spirit like nothing else can. It can lift you up as you see and hear in it the living words of God’s counsel to man. On each page is revealed Christ Jesus’ purpose in that He “came into the world to save sinners.”*
There is also with these listed above a full sense of conviction as one throws him or herself into an honest reading of scripture. Just as reading the Bible can lift you, it does bring complete heartbreak. This heartbreak is intentional as the Holy Spirit works with the individual to gain understanding about their sins and the sacrificial work of Christ Jesus, God’s character, grace, mercy, righteousness, and holiness.
When the word is read properly it reveals the primary message behind Christ Jesus’ purpose to you as mentioned above, and when that purpose is fully ingested it should send you, ALL OF US, to the floor, prostrate, before a wholly merciful, grace filled, righteous, and holy God. ALL OF US are those who Paul says, “have turned aside; together [we] have become worthless; no one does good, not even one”.**
The majesty and magnificence of God, His purpose and plan, and the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of His Son contained in that purpose and plan is screamed from every letter, line, and passage in the Bible. It is primary to our ability to function as those who believe in and follow Jesus. Paul puts the abilities to function as a Christian into perspective and he includes the “word of God” in the process.
“13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:13-20 (ESV) Emphasis Added
Of course, we must be very careful to explain that it is not the Bible in and of itself that “lives”. The written word is not to be deified. It is God who lives and is to be worshipped alone. Rather, God is magnified through the reading of it, providing us with crucial pieces to understanding an incomprehensible God and in the process equipping us as believers in an unbelieving world.
Without this precious God given record we would lack specific knowledge about God. As we immerse ourselves in the writings found in the Bible, just like the passage from Ephesians above, the living God through the Holy Spirit infuses those who are called to follow the living Christ with a godly and righteous perspective on life lived here and in that life to come.
Take some time to immerse yourself in the word of God, and not just a few minutes a day, but throughout the whole of your day. If you are a follower of Christ Jesus then you know you have a responsibility to do so and that responsibility cannot be passive. You are encouraged to pursue it aggressively, so that you may be totally prepared.
You are left with these words from Peter as you fully engage the holy, majestic and wholly righteous God through His written word.
“13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:13-25 (ESV)
*1 Timothy 1:15, **Romans 3:12
Created over 1 year ago
