God commands us to feed on His Word so that the Word of God can dwell in us richly. For only as the Word becomes firmly established in our soul can it bring forth the transformation into Christlikeness that God intends. Today’s excerpt from The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart is found on page 63:
“The Gospel and the truth of God are not like items in a smorgasbord, or opinions on an op-ed page. You can’t simply pass them by, because they might seem unpalatable for the moment, or you just don’t agree with them, and expect your life to go on just fine. We must not be content merely to discuss the truth of God; we must insist on obedience to that truth, if people are to know real life.
“There is truth, and it is in God’s Word, where Jesus is revealed in all His glory, unto joy and rejoicing in our hearts. He is the truth of God, the explanation of all things, and the very fount of life. Knowing this as we do, not to proclaim Jesus, or not to urge others to receive and follow Him, would be the greatest disservice we could render.
“In proclaiming the truth that is in Jesus, we must call people to a total change of direction in life – what the New Testament refers to as repentance, which, as we have seen, is the first fruit of hearing the Word of God. As we apply the Sword of the Spirit to our own souls and lives, God will bring us more fully into the new life of His Kingdom as we lay aside our old ways of thinking, feeling, valuing, and being in the world. We must be born again and being born again entails repenting of everything which is not true, and reaching out to Him Who is the Truth, even our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For reflection or discussion
1. Why is it not enough for us to know and affirm the teaching of God’s Word?
2. What does it mean for you to “lay aside [your] old ways” of living?
The grace of God, which is the means of our salvation, has transforming power when it is working through the Spirit and Word of God. We should experience that power as it changes our lives, so that we become a little more like Jesus day by day. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss how you can be more fruitful in your study of God’s Word. Your copy of The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart awaits you as a free PDF download at The Ailbe Bookstore. And while you’re there, download the book The Disciplined Life as another resource to strengthen your walk with and work for the Lord.
T. M. Moore
