Are We Merely Reading Words & Going Through the Motion?
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5: 8 NASB)
Some of us are “routine” driven. Yes, we enjoy the “rituals” we have placed within our lives, set ways and times we do those things we dread and/or enjoy. Maybe—
We arise at a set time.
Break our fast at a set clock time.
Brush our teeth, dress for work, and leave the house at a set time.
Work. Eat Lunch. Travel Home. Eat Dinner. Exercise. & Go to Bed—At a Set Time.
Therefore, it is not a stretch to ask ourselves that just Maybe—
We are also reading our Bible & Attending Church out of “ritual” and “routine.”
Or Maybe—
We are going to church each Sunday and opening our Bible each day because “that’s just what we do?”
OR
Are we going to church each Sunday and opening our Bible each day because we want to draw closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Quite possibly, those statements stepped on you.
Yes, these statements stepped on me.
Let us first state the obvious: God can and will use His Word to change people!
Another obvious: God can and will use Christians “going through the motions of their days” to speak to the hearts of those who still need a personal relationship with the Savior Jesus!
However, today, it is important for Christians to internalize the truth found within this question: Are we following a “religion”—OR—Are we following our Savior?
We know the word became flesh in the person of God’s only Son—Jesus!
It is imperative for Christians to examine our lives: Are we following our man-made “routines”—OR—Are we following our Lord?
Truly, these are the Questions we need to answer.
&
Also True are these Additional Questions that need answers.
- Can a lost person open the Bible to read and miss the Gospel message?
- Can a lost person open the Bible to read and never become God’s child? &
- Can a child of God open the Bible and totally miss the God of the Bible?
- Can a saved person read God’s Word but never really allow God’s Word to change his words, his thoughts, his actions, or his life?
All of these questions seem to contain the obvious answer: NO!
Nevertheless, the fact remains—quite possibly (and unfortunately), the answer shouting from our hearts just might be: YES! we most definitely can do just that!
Even though we believe & even proclaim:
- Every Bible story.
- Every Chapter.
- Every Verse.
- Both the Old Testament & the New Testament.
Everything points to one person: Jesus Christ!
Thus, we might wonder:
- How in the world can a lost person read the Word of God and miss the Gospel message, &
- How in the world can an unsaved person read the Bible that reveals the person of Jesus and never become a child of God? &
- How can a person read the Bible & totally miss God who is found on every page? &
- How can a saved child of God open God’s Word & not allow it to change the way he lives?
The Answers are really quite simple.
- We can because we can read just to read the words. Check! &
- We can because we can read just to fulfil a certain personal obligation we have placed upon ourselves to read the Bible daily. Check Mark!
- We can because rather than searching for God, instead we search for knowledge as we would within any other book.
- We can because the Bible can be a Best Seller’s book or the Bible can be the power of God speaking directly to us.
THE TRUTH: God wants every person alive to come into relationship with Him, but it is a real fact that some still remain lost.
THE TRUTH: God wants every child of God to walk in relationship with Him, but it is a real fact that sometimes we just go through the motions, saying we do.
The Apostle Paul recognized this as the LORD led him to write to those living in Rome.
Please see with me the Word of God where the truth resides.
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
(Romans 5: 6-11 NASB)
For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
You see, we were born sinners, and then, we came to know the salvation of God. Nevertheless, we remain sinners: Saved by the Grace of God.
Receiving God’s Salvation is not a one-time action.
- We are Saved.
- We are Being Saved.
- We Will Continually Be Saved.
Therefore, let us end this discourse as we answer: How do we treat God’s Word in our lives.
Are We Merely Reading God’s Word & Just Going Through the Motion?
OR—
Are We Reading the Word of God & Allowing God’s Holy Word to Totally Re-Make Us?
Are We Opening Our Bibles in Some Habitual Action?
OR—
Are We Opening Our Bibles, Asking God Himself to Speak & to Change Us As We Read?
It is vitally important that we know the answers to these questions!
As I finish typing, Austin French sings a melody into my earbuds, one that speaks to God’s message for us. Listen today & be reminded how just maybe we each need to: “Wake Up Sleeper.”