Scripture… As We Live It #210
This is the 210th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word memorize, quote, and live by your favorite verses of Scripture, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
But Alan. Don’t you think “word” here refers to the “Word of God” – the leather bound book God wrote for us? 🙂
While I believe that knowing what God gave us in writing is very important, I will share what God told a friend of mine.
“Why did I give you scripture? To know more about Me. This is also why you should talk to and hear from Me.”
My friend feels much less guilty when he misses a day of reading his Bible. He was encouraged that his life was not about a reading regimen, but about knowing Him. And, that in His reading, instead of knowing what is written, seeking what God has to say among the words. Then, he might put his Bible down for a few days, pondering and “chewing” on what God is speaking to his heart.
It is all about abiding in the Lord.
While reading through the Bible in a year (or some other set period of time) is good, it’s much better to read with understanding, and then spend time thinking about what is read. (I find meditating on what God has said tends to blend into communion with Him: talking with Him about what He has said.)
I also have learned John’s friend’s approach. Sometimes I skip a day or few because my mind isn’t with it… I read without comprehension. If that’s the case, I’ll go over the passage again when my mind is more cooperative – and I find the reread helps with my understanding.
Alan I wonder how much of this qouting, memorizing is going on with the purposee to look well in front of others. To get pats on the back when behind closed doors we can be miserable, hiding, hoping all to face this those that are of this, that htey do find the way to the truth that sets them free of this
Howard
“…and live by your favorite verses…” made me think about those verses of the “least favorite” variety… you know: turning the other cheek, blessing my enemies, hating my father/mother/wife/…/life, etc.