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Pastor Jay's Blog

Reading God’s Word More and Better in 2015, Part 2

 

Last week we began looking at how we can read God’s word more and better. There are those who need to simply read it more, and we examined the practical issues and heart issues for addressing that need. This week we will examine how we can read God’s Word better.

Some of us have developed a habit of reading God’s Word daily. We set aside time for it and attempt to guard against potential distractions. But, don’t be complacent! Our sinful flesh will find ways to undermine our goal to have God’s Word dwell in us richly.

Jesus may say to you also, “Have you never read [my word]…?” (Matt. 21:16)

That is what He said to the scribes of His day. Supposed experts in the Scriptures were rebuked for not knowing the Scriptures. How can this happen? Let’s think through two different categories of Bible reading. The first can lead to the disastrous position the scribes found themselves in. The second will support spiritual growth and closer fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deadly Bible Reading

Legalistic Reading

The person who reads in order to attain or maintain their justification before God is the legalistic reader. This is the very thing the Bible condemns; but, ironically, it happens all the time. A person will feel that God is for them because every day they check off the box of Bible reading. Everything is fine as long as they are checking off that box. And so they do it oh-so dutifully because they don’t want to get on God’s bad side. The disaster of this approach is found in a host of questions that are never pondered. First, why exactly would the act of reading bring forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God? Unbelievers read the Bible all the time, and the Devil probably has the whole thing memorized. Second, exactly how much do you have to read to attain or maintain your justification? You had better know exactly if your eternity is in the balance. Third, how often do you have to read? Who determined once a day is sufficient?

You can see that the thinking behind legalistic reading is unbiblical, bondage-making, hopeless, and the farthest thing from good news. You are not saved, nor do you remain saved and in God’s favor, because you are a Bible reader. You are saved by grace through faith. If a child of God misses his Bible reading time, God does not start to back away from him in a huff of disdain. That person is as safe and secure as if he was Jesus Himself. That is good news! It is the kind of good news that a person will want to know more of and grow in and live by. And that happens as God’s word is read. Take heed. Maybe you have been hoping in a false gospel of spiritual performance.

Hunger-less Reading

When a person has no physical appetite, something is very wrong. In extreme conditions, nutrients can be pumped into their body, but this is an unsustainable solution. Such is the spiritually sick person. They flop open the book once again, but only because they know they are supposed to. They don’t even have a gag reflex over hard passages because all they see is ink on paper, words on a page. The contrast, and the cure, is Proverbs 2. Solomon knows that God’s word is life, but most of the time we don’t see it easily. There is treasure, but we can’t seize it. There is honey but we can’t taste it. There is music but we can’t hear it. So what are we called to do? Store up the commands like treasure maps. Perk up our ears like radar. Raise our voice like infants. Search like detectives. And God will see this and grant keys for unlocking, ears for listening, and tongues for tasting. The fear of the Lord, which comes through God’s Word, is given to those who cry out for what they know they need, not for those who limp along unconcerned.

Information-only reading

There are others who have a hunger when reading God’s word, but it is a faulty hunger. It is like the person who hungers for Diet Coke and Hot Pockets. Yes, they are eating and yes, they are growing (waistline), but not in healthy ways. Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 8:1 “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Being a doer of the word and not a hearer only is not being properly followed when all you are doing is looking for counter points for some brouhaha you are engaged in. The Ephesian church was rebuked for their lack of love, and you will be as well. Read to worship, not just to talk about worship. Read to be humble, not to humble others.

Wise Reading

Better Focus Reading

Shooting yourself in the foot, or wearing a lead vest, or tying one arm behind your back are all phrases for describing stupid ways of doing things. Reading your Bible in your warm, snuggly, pillow-topped, sleep-inducing bed does not help keep the eyelids open. Hard wood chairs and some caffeine help keep eyes open. Reading your Bible while kids are asking you to reattach doll heads and separate Lego pieces does not promote spiritual insights. If possible, find time where you can focus. Doll heads need to be reattached by a parent whose own head has been screwed on straight by the Word of God.

Full Immersion Reading

Reading through the Bible in a year is a good thing. Those who haven’t done that should start. But for those who have been doing that for a long time and have a decent grip on Scripture as a whole, you should consider doing focused readings. For example, read the book of Ephesians every day for a month. Sure, you have read Ephesians many times before, but repeatedly reading it through from beginning to end will unlock connections and insights that you can only get with full immersion. Maybe a truth in chapter six will exemplify what was taught in chapter one, but you will only see that by reading chapter one right after chapter six several times.

Anticipatory Reading

Sometimes your mind will go on auto-pilot while reading; which means you miss much of what is there. By putting a pen in your hand, you are physically preparing to look for insights that you can write down or underline. This act alone can awaken your mind, and allow you to see what is right in front of you.

Prayer-Maker Reading

This is the spiritual equivalent of putting a pen in your hand. As you read, you are looking for how the passage can be turned into a prayer you should be praying anyway. The blessing of turning Scripture into prayers is well-placed confidence these prayers are consistent with the will of God, because they are arising out of His revealed will.

May God’s Word richly dwell within you in 2015!

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