In last week’s blog, we talked about “inspiration,” the theological concept that the written Word of God, the Bible, accurately presents the truth of God. Remembering that it was written by over 40 different men from vastly different backgrounds over a period of 1500 years, their writings were kept from error as the Holy Spirit guided their thoughts as they wrote God’s truth in their own language and style.

But simply having an accurate record of God’s truth was never God’s ultimate intention for His Word, as God was always looking for lives to be changed through it. As the Apostle Paul wrote,

“Faith comes from hearing (or reading), and hearing (or reading) by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

In other words, faith comes from hearing (or reading) the message that Jesus came to bring us. That means that the reader or hearer must have his eyes “opened” to receive God’s truth so that it can be applied to their lives. This is called “illumination,” and this is our final word in our vocabulary of ten.

Illumination is the process of bringing light to an object or a truth that might lie in the shadows. For many people, reading the Scriptures is a “mystery” hidden in darkness. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to “enlighten” us as we hear or read the Word of God. The Apostle Paul prayed,

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe (Eph. 1:18-19).

Paul prayed that “…the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened….” Metaphorically, our hearts and minds have “eyes” that need to be opened to receive God’s truth. Paul wanted every Christian to discover the “hope” that God has given us in Christ; the riches of all we posses as His children; and to experience the power that we have, to live authentic and contagious Christian lives.

The writer of Hebrews had more to say about God’s Word,

“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12).

In other words, God’s Word is designed to penetrate the depths of our being; breathe life into those who study and apply it; and to accomplish God’s purposes in the lives of those who heed its message.

Some might say, “Well, I just don’t believe the Bible.” I would respond with a question, “Have you ever read even a portion of it?” I believe that if you will just read, allowing God’s words to penetrate your hearts, His Holy Spirit will respond by giving the reader the knowledge that leads to repentance and faith.

So, what does this mean for you and me? As we have seen, it means that we can trust God’s written Word, the Bible, but the most critical issue is that we take the time to read it. So, let me encourage you to read God’s Word, and as you do, I’d like to offer you some guidance to help you to not only understand, but to also apply it to your life. As you read each verse, or paragraph, take a moment to ask yourself these seven questions:

1) Is there a truth that I should acknowledge”

2) Is there a promise that I need to claim?

3) Is there a sin that I need to confess?

4) Is there a command that I need to obey?

5) Is there an attitude that I need to change?

6) Is there a warning that I need to heed?

7) Is there an example that I need to follow?

Asking these questions will help us to be not only “readers” of the Word, but also “doers” of it (Js. 1:22). God has given us His Word so that we might become all that He intends for us to be. Someone once said, “God’s Word was not given primarily to give us knowledge, but to change our lives.” And that change is to become more like Him. As the Apostle Paul urged,

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ has also loved you….” (Eph. 5:1-2).

May we all become more like Him, walking in love, just as Christ loved us. May the Lord bless each one of you as you read God’s Word and apply it to your lives.