Knowing God through His Word — Part 6
Doing God’s Word
Jesus never lied. He told his disciples that
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12-14
In the centuries since His crucifixion, many believers have done these “greater works.” However did they do them? Men and women with the Holy Spirit’s gift of miracles, saints like St. Francis, Mme. Jeanne Guyon, George Fox and Padre Pio didn’t start out turning water to wine, healing the sick, casting out demons, opening blind eyes, or raising the dead. They began by spending time in conversation with God, learning Scripture, listening to the Holy Spirit, and doing whatever He asked them to do.
Jesus Himself started out learning Scripture. He knew it thoroughly and He didn’t learn it magically. As a human man, He read, studied and obeyed God’s word in the very same manner that the Holy Spirit is inviting you and me to do. As Jesus studied the words of Moses, Israel’s history, the Psalms and Prophets, the Holy Spirit breathed life upon the written word for He was that Word that became flesh and lived within His human body.
One difference between most of us and Jesus and the miracle working saints is that they fully lived out Moses’ command to love God with all their hearts and souls and might. They kept God’s Word on their hearts; they taught God’s Word and talked about it. When tempted by Satan, Jesus refused to accept other words that would have led him away from God’s Word. (See Deuteronomy 6: 6-9; 13-19 and Matthew 4)
Jesus said that if we know and follow God’s Word that
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
He said that the man who hears His Word(s), does it, and teaches it to others
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. Luke 6:48
Knowing and obeying God’s Word changes us and begins to release God’s purposes. Our wills are the pivot point; we can either choose to agree or to disagree with God in the smallest choices of our daily lives. Yes, We are a battleground; obeying God’s Word is not always easy.
The world often opposes us; the temporary satisfactions of darkness tempt us; our flesh resists God’s ways. But that said, our spirits were formed to be filled with God’s joy, peace, love, power and purpose—to live in His Word.
People who knowingly ignore or reject God’s Word suffer a huge incalcuable loss, but there is no legalistic across the board condemnation for those who don’t know the significance of the Bible or for those who can’t memorize, can’t read or don’t have Bibles. The majority of us, however, including me, are accountable to God. We already know that we would be nurtured by knowing more of His Word. We might never become miracle-working saints, but we would get to know God more completely; we would grow and receive great blessing by internalizing Scripture.
Most of us with Bibles and functioning minds can freely choose to give more time to the Bible this very day. Being honest, I’ve been relegating time for God’s Word toward the bottom of my list. I need to recharge, to reorganize my priorities and renew my decision to put God first. I need a fresh start. How about you? If you’re interested, here’s my own approach.
• Start small; plan for success by selecting a manageable phrase or verse. Years ago, back in the early 1970’s, I recall spending a long, long time, maybe even weeks, on internalizing
Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4
• Be sure to pick a text that speaks to you.. Today, I’m drawn to encourage myself with
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2
• Be intentional. Think about it before going to sleep at night and on waking up in the morning, at mealtimes, while exercising, driving, etc. Pick times and places to fit your schedule, but intentionally schedule them.
• Pray over it. Talk to God honestly about any mental conflict, any struggle to believe, or any failures to live the Word you are chewing on. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help.
• Set aside time for quiet and solitude to reflect on the passage you’ve chosen. Gently, slowly, without pressure or striving, bring God’s Word from your mind to your heart; allow it to sink in; reflect and meditate upon what the Word means until you sense God’s presence. Seek to rest and enjoy His presence, the Holy companionship that lives within His Word.
• Depend upon God’s grace to help you begin to live by the by the principles in His Word and not by emotions, old habit and custom.
Be open to the Holy Spirit’s enabling capacity when you find yourself in natural opportunities to apply God’s truth; talk to family and friends about God’s Word. Yes, as led by the Holy Spirit e-mails and text messages count.
See what happens! And Praise our Father in Heaven each step of the way.
