This week’s devotions are based on the Week 6 “Explore God” – Is the Bible Reliable? (WATCH HERE)
This week we have presented various evidence that the Bible is reliable. However, even if I believe something is reliable, it has no use unless I trust it enough to put it to use in my life. In a simple way, I trust that bananas are a reliable source of potassium. I have no intention of eating them.
So if we simply put the focus on the empirical evidence of the reliability of the Bible and simply let it rest with the conclusion, “Ok, you’ve convinced me the Bible is reliable,” we still have missed the full point. The good Lord has given us his Word ALONG WITH evidences of its integrity and credibility for one purpose: to USE it!
In our group this week, one of the participants pointed out this very important reality which especially applies to Bible-believing Christians. We can have all the confidence that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and still let it collect dust on our shelves or the app remain unopened on our phones.
Jesus knew this would happen, but didn’t want it to so he speaks this encouragement:
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
The full power of the Word of God is unleashed when we a) hear God’s Word and b) put it into practice.
And perhaps here lies the greatest tension for us in this question, “Is the BIble reliable?” The BIble is reliable. Will we rely on it?
Perhaps we see the Word of God like a generator. When the storms blow and the power goes out, we rely on the generator to work. It often does and then when we are done, it sits to collect dust in the garage. We need to repent of this spirit with the Word of God. It is not a “break in the case of emergency” book. It is God’s Word for every day of our life which also leads to a faith that brings us to eternity.
What we find when we listen AND put God’s Word to use is the blessing God communicates is unleashed. We find peace in the promises of God that remind us of his love, presence, and protection. We find hope in knowing with certainty we are fully forgiven and eternal life is ours through Jesus. We find guidance for better relationships, management of wealth, and involvement with the body of believers.
And much more.
Perhaps our reaction is like the crowd when Jesus finished his Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 7:28-29) 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
We may just be surprised at the authority, the impact, the reliability of God’s Word when we open the Bible, read it, practice it and in every aspect of life and faith, rely on it.
Apply: What is one habit you can work on to bring the Word of God into your life daily WITH the habit of putting the truth you read into practice as well?
Prayer: Lord thank you for providing your powerful, reliable, life-giving Word to me. Forgive me for neglecting it all too often. Let me be the wise person that daily hears your word AND puts it into practice. AMEN.