I'm sure most of you will agree that one of the most difficult subjects that we have to learn in school is math. Sure, things start out easy-after all, 1+1 always equals 2-but what about advanced mathematics like statistics and calculus? These classes prove to be much more of a challenge! It's a good thing that at the time in our lives when we have to take these classes we have already gone over basic math and we are provided formulas and equations developed by early mathematicians in order to solve problems easier. But what if, even though we know all about the formulas and equations, we don't put them into practice and decide not to use them? Surely we would fail the class! Right!?
The same holds true for our daily walk with Christ! We have been given the Bible, which was written by God through early Christ-followers, in order to help us deal with and solve the problems of this world, but even if we have an absolute understanding of it, yet we don't put what we know into practice, then our walk with Christ will not benefit! In Romans 2:13, Paul tells the Christians in Rome that knowledge without action upon that knowledge does not bring God's approval: "For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight."
While knowledge of Biblical text is definitely a benefit to your walk with Christ, just like not using the formulas and equations that we know we should use in our math class would not bring approval from our teacher, knowing everything about the Bible and not obeying what it says will not bring approval from God-the ultimate teacher!
There are times in my life where I struggle to put God's commands into practice. Sometimes it just seems like things would be easier if I could do things my way. But just like trying to solve an advanced mathematical problem without using the formulas you are supposed to use, going through life without obeying and applying the knowledge that you gain from reading the Bible will not get you to where you need to go. The reality is that God's word is always right and therefore, without applying it to our lives, we cannot truly be whole and spiritually mature.
Do you sometimes find yourself ignoring the instructions given to you from the Bible? Do you take pride in all of your knowledge of God's word, yet you don't act upon it? If so, pray to God asking Him to help you with this struggle. Don't just skim over the words you read in the Bible, pay close attention to them and then obey them. Continue to dig deep into God's word in order to gain knowledge of His will for our lives as Christians, and then obey what it says; for that is truly what makes us right in God's sight.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Obey What You Know!
