God's Word in Your Life--Why You Need It

A young nephew of mine has had trouble for several months absorbing nutrients and gaining weight. He was born with Diamond Blackfan Amenia (inability to produce red blood cells), endured months of blood transfusions and then a bone marrow transplant at the age of two. My devoted sister has spent countless hours at clinics and in doctor's offices while specialists try to help. 

The ability to absorb nutrients is absolutely essential to physical growth, and it is critical for spiritual growth as well. God's word, the Bible, contains the elements for our spiritual growth. In fact, it is what God has given us for supernatual life. Jesus referred to this when He said, "The words I have spoken to you, they are spirit and life." (John 6:63 NIV) 

Many see the Bible as merely a collection of history, beliefs, and rules; but it is so much more than that. It is a spiritual book designed to produce spiritual life in us. The same power God exercised in creation exists in the Bible through the work of the Holy Spirit. As we read His word, depending on God to teach and feed us, we are changed; and we grow.

Referring to his death for us and the meaning of that, Jesus said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." (John 6:53). His listeners criticized Him for this strange saying, but he was referring to His death for our sins and the power of God's word and gospel as we believe and internalize it.

We are born with defective natures, damaged by sin. Also, there is so much we don't know about God or the spiritual life. Jesus offers us a new spiritual birth and new life through His word. "You have been born again through through the enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23). 

Paul wrote to his young student, Timothy:  "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:15-17 TM: emphasis mine). 

More than half of Americans (57%) read the Bible fewer than five times a year according to a survey report released by the American Bible Society on March 26, 2013. In the age category of 18-28, 57% read Scripture three times a year or never. How is it for you?

If God's word is literally life for us,and we don't read or understand it, what is happening for my young nephew is occuring for us in a spiritual sense .We are trying to live without eating or absorbing what we do ingest. We fail to grow. We repeat the same mistakes over and over. We are religious, but not satisfied.

I understand many people find the Bible boring or hard to understand. They don't know where to begin. Finding time is also a big problem today. So in the next day or two I will share what has helped me over the years. God's word was created to help us thrive and grow--to be filled with love, goodness, deep happiness and peace. It is a banquet of good food. But we may not know how to enjoy it. Join me again tomorrow.

Pastor Michael Brownfield