A lot of people belonging to different religious denominations are generally, “People who knew a lot about the Bible, but their knowledge rarely left their heads.” Knowledge of God, his Word, and the gospel should not just hang out in our minds but change our hearts and our actions as well.
Bob Goff, an injustice fighter, philanthropist, and author has an interesting idea about applying God’s Word to your life: Do not just participate in Bible studies but in Bible “doings.”
I love that concept, but not because I am advocating to stop studying God’s Word. What I am saying is do not stop there. I know many people who whenever I paraphrase certain Bible passages, they could quote back to me, the actual Biblical phrase and accurate citations of the book, chapter, and verse. And yet they fail to see the practical application of the Word of God in their daily lives, until pointed out to them in regular and continuous déjà vu moments.
God encourages us over and over to not just read his Word and know what it says but to put it into practice. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). This means obeying God, living out our faith, and sharing the gospel.
Jesus’ story of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew chapter 7 is interesting because he does not just say knowing God’s Word is like building your life on a rock. What he says is, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (verse 24).
Let us be real: We are sinners who cannot do this perfectly. We will often fail at living out God’s Word. Thank goodness his love does not depend on our actions and that his grace covers us in forgiveness, motivating us to continue on.
We acknowledge our transgressions, And our sin is always before us. Against You, You only, have we sinned, And done this evil in Your sight- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge (Psalms 51:3-4).
We look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:13-14).
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
