Knowing Christ through the Word

Reading, studying, feasting on the teachings of the Bible is one of the most important things a Christ-follower can do.

Here are six reasons why the word of God is of paramount importance to Knowing Christ:

The Word of God works in us (see 1 Thessalonians 2:13) Paul was speaking, it is human-written, but God-inspired and the Thessalonians accepted the word “as it actually is, the word of God”. At the conclusion of that same letter, Paul writes “do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (1 Thessalonians 5:19), in other words, keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning, keep growing, keep loving Jesus, keep believing in the word and let it work in you. We read to effect change in us!

The Word of God sets us free (see John 8:32; John 17:17) Note Jesus’ words: “if you hold to my teaching…” Holding to and living out the truths of Jesus means we are his disciples, then, we know the truth, a personal, spirit-and-soul transforming truth, then by that truth we are set free. Free, from any bondage of sin, free from the old, free to love Christ and to follow him unobstructed. Free!

The Word of God directs us (see 2 Timothy 3:14-17) Verses 16 – 17 are the strongest statement in the Bible, about itself. For any issue or challenge or circumstance large or small we might face, we are thoroughly equipped through the inspired word. There is everything in the word we need, to face everything we face, nothing missing.

The Word of God keeps us from sin (see Psalm 119:9-12). It was Charles Spurgeon who said: “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t”. If you were to read all of Psalm 119, you would see it is written by someone passionate about God’s word. The word keeps us from sin in our thoughts and our actions, because it defines evil against what is good. We cannot know what grieves God or pleases him apart from his word. The word keeps us from sin as our thoughts become God’s thoughts by the renewing our minds, and having the mind of Christ.

The Word of God compels us to do what it says (see James 1:21f; 1 Peter 2:1-2). Peter says here, crave spiritual food, in the same way, a newborn baby is absolutely dependent on milk for its growth and nourishment. As you crave the word, the word nourishes you, it will change you by changing the way you see yourself and the way you see others. Peter also says, “Rid yourselves” and James says, “get rid of all moral filth”. These have to be the prerequisite to the word of God affecting any change in us.

The Word of God motivates worship (see Colossians 3:16). Recall our study in Nehemiah last year: Bring out the book Ezra! We want to be revived, we want to be refreshed and reminded of who God is. When Ezra opened the book, “the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground”. (Nehemiah 8:5-6) Why would they respond this way? Because what was being read aloud was what the Lord God Almighty had commanded Israel. It was worth listening to! They had a reverence and a respect for God’s holy word. Nothing apart from God himself is more important and powerful than his word. Begin to develop an appetite for it. Spend time allowing it to wash over your mind and heart. Before you know it you will be walking a life that is in communion with Christ and His purpose for your life.