The question my daughter was asking, beneath her frustration, is one many Christians have asked: I study or read my Bible consistently, daily even, so why doesn't anything change? Why do I still have these desires to sin? Why am I still struggling?
I am so grateful she asked it young and I get to be part of her spiritual journey. But even for those who ask it older, there is hope for a transformed understanding of the Bible and the Christian life. Better yet, there is hope for a Christian life that is what Jesus promised: abundant, full, peaceful, joyful, and full of His overcoming power.
But here's the hard truth we have to face: Bible study, by itself, does not transform us.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1:22-25
It is possible, according to James, to look into the Word of God, to even see yourself honestly in the Word of God, and to walk away unchanged, forgetful, and ultimately disconnected from the power of Christ. So what's the key? “Whoever looks intently into the law that gives freedom, and continues in it… doing it - they will be blessed in what they do."
There are atheists who know the Bible better than the average Christian. Demons believe in God - and tremble (James 2:19). The Bible is inerrant, inspired, and authoritative, unable to deceive and right in all its teaching. But the words alone do not transform us. The “rite” of Bible reading does not result in a powerful, transformed life.
The ones who persevere in obedience to the truth they're reading are the ones who become like Jesus.
And the only way to persevere into true life change is by the Spirit of God. “Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) We cannot white knuckle sanctification. Sure, you can become moral. You can become outwardly virtuous. You can do the right things. But you can do all of that and be hollow. You can do all of it and be resentful, bitter, empty, lost, and tired. Or…
You can be morally strong and spiritually free. Boldly convicted and completely at peace. Suffering greatly and full of joy. That kind of supernatural tension is not achieved through ritual. It is a mystery worked by the Spirit of God, the One who equips and comforts, convicts and leads, speaks and guides; the advantage of being Christian: the Holy Spirit. He applies the word of God, lights it on fire, activates it in our soul. He reminds us of the truth when we need it and speaks to us, telling us what way to go. Jesus, the Word made flesh, speaks through the Word on pages so the Word may come alive in us.
Back at my daughter's bedside, I obviously couldn't use these words. “I am so glad you brought that up," I said, pulling the blanket around her. “the Bible is important, and I am so glad you're reading it. It tells the big story of God's love - how we were separated from Him, needed someone to bridge the gap, and God loved us so much He sent Himself to make a way. Who made the way?”
She scrunched her face. “….Jesus?”
“Right. Jesus made a way for us to be friends with God. Our anger and meanness doesn't keep us from Him because of Jesus. But… the Bible is just the beginning. We can't read it and move on. Our job is to listen for God's voice throughout the day. After the Bible, we must listen when He speaks, do what He says. So - when you feel those worries come, grab them - ” I took her fist; she chuckled. “- and throw them to Jesus, like He asks. He will remind you. And when He does, you can choose to obey His voice, or not. When we keep ignoring His voice, He becomes harder to hear - not because He isn't there, but because we have trained ourselves not to listen. Make sense?"
“I guess so.”
“Let's pray.”
Make sense?
I hope so.
Praying for you.
