Got Change?ናሙና

TRANSFORMED BY HIS WORD

It has almost become a cliché to ask an average Christian, "Did you read your Bible today?" Probably you read it out of Christian duty or may be to satisfy your parents' constant prodding. But are those ancient scriptures relevant today? Well, there is no question of their relevance given how they have stood the test of historical and cultural landscapes and continue to change the lives of people around the world even today. So, the real question is not if the Bible is relevant for our times, but how I can let God's eternal Word transform me.

Jesus said that, as disciples, we cannot bear lasting fruit unless we abide in Him and His word (John 15:3-4, 7). Hence it is important that we abide in His word every single day. To abide means, to dwell. That is, to make space for something to come and make its home. The psalmist says to God, "Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." It is clear that he not only made room for God's word in His life, but also treasured it, so that He would not sin against God. Let us not neglect the privilege of God's word, for reading which, people in a few countries today, have to pay with their lives.

Today a lot of us complain about not understanding the Bible. Part of the problem is that we are separated from it by time, culture, and geography, and to get a better understanding, we would need good study Bibles and scholarly material to help fill the gaps. But the other part of the problem, which in my opinion is a more serious one, is that we never read God's word as part of a community. God's Word is not only to be read personally but also communally. In biblical times, no one possessed individual copies of the scriptures. Their learning was always part of a community. It is important that we be part of a small group (life group) Bible study that broadens our scriptural understanding and helps keep us from misinterpretations. A good student of God's word doesn't read his feelings or circumstances into the Word, but rather lets the Word search the deepest thoughts and attitudes of his/her heart (Hebrews 4:12).

The CHALLENGE to Change:

Develop the discipline of reading God’s word daily with understanding. Start a reading plan and make notes. Study entire books and sections and move beyond reading just one verse or a devotion. Join the church community to learn to correctly interpret the scriptures and apply them.