Fellowship · Growth and Maturity · Personal Bible Study · Biblical Wisdom · Devotional Life
Other people’s summaries, or do we read the Bible?
4 min read, approximately
“Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Take care that no one fails to receive God’s grace, and that no root of bitterness springs up to hinder you and defile many through it; that no one is sexually immoral or profane like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, even when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected and found no opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:14-17)
Would we place our lives in the care of someone we do not know? Would we let someone control our affairs, especially something decisive for our lives?
We religiously attend our church meetings, open the Bible only on Sundays (some of us do not even do that), and settle for what the pastor, evangelist, or person leading the meeting says… Now, do we expect this sermon (summary) to guide our lives throughout the week?
“Immediately, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they entered the Jewish synagogue. These people were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11)
It is true that we should gather together (Hebrews 10:25), but it is also true that it is our duty to search the Scriptures, not settle for the summary! (Joshua 1:8-10)
“Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. Through your commandments you have made me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. I have understood more than all my teachers, because your testimonies are my meditation. I have understood more than the elders, because I have kept your commandments. I have restrained my feet from every evil path, to keep your word. I have not turned away from your judgments, for you have taught me. How sweet your words are to my palate, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your commandments I have gained understanding; therefore I have hated every false way.” (Psalms 119:97-104)
It is good to listen to God’s Word, since faith comes by hearing, and hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). It is good to receive advice, since there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14). However, should this replace our fellowship with God?!
In David’s time there were prophets too (1 Samuel 16, 2 Samuel 12), and David listened to them. Yet most of the Psalms express how David poured out his heart before God!
“God, you are my God; early in the morning I will seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and barren land without water, to see your power and glory, as I have seen you in the sanctuary.” (Psalms 63:1-2)
What are our Psalms?
David longed for relationship, not religion!
Do we have a relationship with God?
“Submit yourselves, then, to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” (James 4:7-8a)
Do we want a relationship with God every Sunday, or a daily relationship with God?
Do we want to read the Bible firsthand, or do we want the leftovers of what others have read (a summary)?
Do we live according to the Lord’s guidance, or do we want to live as others tell us to?
Following someone’s good example is good, but following the Lord’s example will always be better! (Psalms 119:105)
What do we say?
Do we read the Bible or other people’s summaries? Do we live what the Bible says, or what others tell us we should live?
May God continue to bless you
and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to explore the Songbook