All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The great 19th-century evangelist/preacher D. L. Moody once said, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” Clearly Moody was echoing what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual son in the faith.
The Bible is the living and active Word of God, designed to change us from the inside out. This transformation, of course, is all a work of God’s grace, but it demands our participation. We are called to “renew our minds” (Romans 12:2), by reading, re-reading, and continuing to re-read the Word of God. The more we meditate on and marinate in the Word of God, the more God changes us and conforms us to the image and likeness of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Now, make no mistake, inasmuch as we are to have our own daily quiet time in the Word, it must not stop there. We are also to spend time in the Word with our family of faith. As I’ve said many times, we are saved individually, but we are saved to community, and it is vital that we engage in community study of the Word of God. Group studies allow for encouragement and accountability within the community of believers. When you know that others are looking forward to seeing you and hearing what you learned during your time of individual study, you will be far more motivated to do the work and show up to share. I like to call this, “Wielding the Word!” The more you wield it in view of sharing it and discussing it with others, the greater will be your transformation.
Remember, the Word of God is far more than history and maxims and stories of heroes of the faith; it is God’s self-revelation. It is God’s love letter to you, written to transform you into the person He is calling you to be and to empower you to live the life He is calling you to live.
How is it with you these days? How is God’s Word transforming your heart and your mind? And if it currently is not, what changes do you need to make . . . starting today?
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 