Knowing and Doing

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

In my neck of the woods it’s easy to find a Bible study.  There are big ones and small ones, some serious and some social events
. Some are community based and some associated with individual congregations. I have done them, I have taught a few, and I believe strongly that the study of scripture is imperative for the growing Christian to continue to be strengthened and built up for service to the Lord.

I also believe that it is the study of God’s Word that prepares us to serve Him so our works are good (see verse at top). However, there is little point to studying the Bible in order to do nothing but study it some more. James was pretty pointed when he said, “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves,”  in James 1:22.

The deception is that by knowing God’s word we are somehow special to God (even devils believe and tremble according to James 2:19). If we read it, hear it preached, and read lots of books about it, we are deceiving ourselves if we think that the Lord considers that faith. We may have a lot of knowledge but it is not faith if there are no works produced by the study. James also says, “Faith without works is dead.”

My point is not to discourage anyone from studying the Bible. It seems that I get a little push every few months to spend less time studying God’s Word and more time doing what it says. This would include ministering to widows and orphans but also many other things that some do not relate to the scriptures.

• How will our study of the scriptures affect the way we raise our children?
• How will the study of scriptures help us determine how our children will receive an education and who is responsible for it?
• How will the scriptures influence the way we vote in May?
• Will we stand up for what the scriptures say about murder when it applies to murdering the unborn?
• Will we respond according to the scriptures when we are tempted to spend too much money, waste too much time, or are tempted to do ungodly things to please other people?
• Will we allow the scriptures to guide decisions regarding the books we read and the movies we watch or what form of entertainment we engage in?
• How will we work if we are doing what the Bible teaches? Will people know us for diligence and excellence?
• How will we respond to our neighbors, to their property, and to their possessions in general if we know what the scriptures say versus doing what they say?
• What will be the priorities in our families if Jesus Christ is not just our Savior but our Lord and King?

Our language, priorities, politics, work, recreation, worship, family, friends, and more should be affected by the study of the Word of God.

Reading, hearing, and studying the Word of God are all good. Doing what it says is what tells whether we have actually learned anything from it.