God's Treasure

 

How would your life change if you didn't have access to the Bible? Take a brief moment to ponder a real, genuine answer to that question.

If we aren't cherishing, memorizing, and applying Scripture, then it is unlikely that our lives would change much if we lacked access to it. All three of these actions are essential to a vibrant relationship with the Bible and, consequently, the God of the Bible.

Cherishing the word means ascribing great value to it, and living like it. Cherishing certainly involves studying, but it is moreso a reference to our disposition and instincts. As Christians, our posture toward Scripture should be characterized by desire--a desire to hear from God. That means our instinct--our soul reflex--should be to run to the Bible when we have questions or concerns in this life.

Memorizing Scripture is critical. There may be a time when our Bibles are removed from us (or us from them) and the only Bible we have left is what is in our hearts. The app store may no longer allow Bible apps and internet servers may disallow Christian websites. What then would we have left? There's also this declaration in the Psalms that should influence our thinking: "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You," (Psalm 119:11).

Application of the word is the reason it was given. The Bible isn't just a book of information that we should keep around in case of emergency, like your car's operator's manual that is probably in the glove box somewhere. Rather, Scripture is living and active. It is designed to confront and interrupt so that we might be changed. It is there for us to be constantly challenged as we go to it often by grace through faith. 

If you want to make sure you are where you're supposed to be in your relationship with the word, consider how you cherish, memorize, and apply the Bible.