Obeying the Word
The practice of meditation on the Word of God – simply thinking about it and its application to life – is a practice we develop through discipline. Most of us think we don’t have time for this, but there are blocks of minutes during the day when we can meditate if we develop the habit.
The objective of our meditation is application – obedience to the Scriptures. This too requires discipline. Obeying the Scriptures usually requires change in our patterns of life. Because we are sinful by nature, we have developed sinful patterns, which we call habits. Discipline is required to break any habit.
Our patterns of disobedience to God have been developed over a number of years and are not broken easily or without discipline. Discipline does not mean gritting your teeth and saying, I’ll not do that anymore.” Rather, discipline means structured, planned training. Just as you need a plan for regular Bible reading or study, so you need a plan for applying the Word to your life.
As you read or study the Scriptures and mediate on them during the day, ask yourself these three questions: 1. What does this passage teach concerning God’s will for a holy life? 2. How does my life measure up to that Scripture; specifically where and how do I fall short? (Be specific; don’t generalize.). 3. What definite steps of action do I need to take to obey?
The objective of our meditation is application – obedience to the Scriptures. This too requires discipline. Obeying the Scriptures usually requires change in our patterns of life. Because we are sinful by nature, we have developed sinful patterns, which we call habits. Discipline is required to break any habit.
Our patterns of disobedience to God have been developed over a number of years and are not broken easily or without discipline. Discipline does not mean gritting your teeth and saying, I’ll not do that anymore.” Rather, discipline means structured, planned training. Just as you need a plan for regular Bible reading or study, so you need a plan for applying the Word to your life.
As you read or study the Scriptures and mediate on them during the day, ask yourself these three questions: 1. What does this passage teach concerning God’s will for a holy life? 2. How does my life measure up to that Scripture; specifically where and how do I fall short? (Be specific; don’t generalize.). 3. What definite steps of action do I need to take to obey?
(Jerry Bridges – Seniors’ Devotional Bible)
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