Just a lot of words?

In a lifetime of Christian ministry, I’ve heard and done a lot of speaking! Some of those messages changed me.  The sermon preached I heard 40 years ago still inspires. The text was about a warrior named Eleazar of Dodai, a man who served with David. That’s right, it is an obscure one. "He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day." (2 Samuel 23:10, KJV)  The old preacher urged faithfulness, that we stay with the struggle no matter how tired we become, until we see God’s Kingdom victory won! The image an exhausted warrior looking over a field of defeated foes, his hand frozen around the hilt of his sword, was burnt into my mind that May evening.  I don’t remember his name but I remember his message.  Many more ‘talks’ were forgettable, a lot of words and clichés filling the air, punctuated with jokes and stories designed to evoke emotion. Then, too, there were the silly speculative presentations that were flights of imagination launched from a flimsy pretext of Biblical ‘truth.’  

Our engagement with the Scripture must be deep and intense, focused on life change and application. Paul urged Timothy to make sure that teaching was connected to the real world and was Truth that transforms. "When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith." (1 Timothy 1:3-5, NLT)

Christian, you may not fill a pulpit each week, but you are a preacher. Your life is a living sermon to those with whom you rub elbows every day. As you carry the Name of Christ, others will observe your character, commitment, and core values. Will they see a life that is shaped by the wisdom of the Word or will they see that you regard the Scripture as ‘just a lot of words,’ a place to find topics for debate, or a few cheap moments of sentimentality?

The Scripture will change us when we approach it with proper reverence and submission. Mark Twain allegedly said, "It's not the parts of the Bible I don't understand that bother me, but the parts I do understand!"   After a lifetime of study there are passages that still resist my grasp.  Will I focus on those, forgetting the ones that "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)?

Be a student of the Bible, not just to know words or ideas, but to learn Truth.  As you read it, hear it, study it, talk about it – do so with a prayer that the Spirit will make it alive. “God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word.”  The Message (Hebrews 4:12-13)  As you learn the principles, the history that gives context, and are mastered by the Text and the Lord of the Text; your life will change.

Here’s a word from the Word.  Lord, help us to be diligent students of your Truth. Amen.

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” (2 Timothy 2:15-19, NLT)

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