The Benefit and Service of Showing Up

I was glad when they said to me, 

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 

—David, Psalm 122:1—

Sunday! For a lot of people reading that word, they already knew they were going to be here today—it’s their developed habit, their pattern for living, their joy, and nothing short of illness or natural disaster is going to hold them back from being here with their spiritual family. Yes, there are a few who are reading these words who know they won’t be coming to worship on Sunday—there are clearly valid reasons for them to not attend worship on a given week, and we compassionately understand that God’s love for us does not waver when we’re sick or on maybe on the road or otherwise unable.

The truth is that there are a host of those who are between these two categories. They are the ones who plan to worship on Sunday, but they won’t actually gather together with others to do it. Here’s the thing: they have every intention of going. As the weekend begins, they have every intention of showing up for worship, to be encouraged and to be an encouragement. By Saturday evening they still intend to go. If we call them up, they’ll say, with all honestly, that they’re planning to be there, of seeing us come Sunday morning.

But one of the big problems is that they won’t have done much to prepare for it—to make the time to stop from their distracting activities, to remind the family to make sure they’ve got something to wear, to get to bed at a reasonable hour, to set an alarm. By the time Sunday morning rolls around and study or worship begins, they will be nowhere to be seen.

It’s these to whom we want to speak the truth in love—the many who genuinely intend to get to worship every week, but who consistently fail to show.

Some might call it a “ministry of presence”—of simply gathering with  others of like precious faith in worship to our heavenly Father on Sunday (2 Peter 1:1). This may seem like such a little thing, an almost inconsequential thing, but it matters immensely and affects us eternally. It matters that much! It’s genuinely a service, a ministry (Ephesians 4:12–16) as every part does its share. It’s a clear way of Christians serving one another in love (Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 10:24–25).

When we come together, it shouldn’t be a mere exercise of doing things that carry no actual meaning—a mere going through the motions. Our fellowship together is because of the direct connection we have with our heavenly Father: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; also read 4:7–8).

Are we committed to serving God and one another? It shows by whether or not we show up. It’s easy enough to intend to do this, but it takes loving effort and diligence in doing it. Remember what Jesus said about the wise and fool?

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46–49).

How else do we fulfill “one another” commands unless we’re together? (Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) Every congregation (including ours) needs more commitment from those who see their presence as a wonderful contribution and a superior benefit to themselves and their spiritual family. It’s not about having to, but wanting to be here and be a part.

What Do We Lack?

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21–22)

The story of the rich young ruler astounds me nearly every time that I hear it or read it because this man doesn’t seem far off from the mindset of God. Quite honestly, in my own estimation of things, this man is better than me because I’m confident the Lord would say I lack more than “one thing.”

One thing.

This man had been keeping the commands of God from his youth (Mark 10:20). And Jesus does not argue with him, doesn’t hastily correct him, on this. Jesus doesn’t say, “That’s what you think!”

His going away grieving is amazing, too, isn’t it? He’s been told that he lacks one thing, but he goes away grieving. This “one thing” was big. Obviously it was big enough to keep him from following Jesus. He went away … 

If we examine ourselves as we should (2 Cor 13:5), what would we come away with? Maybe we fear self-examination, and so we don’t do it — we hope to ignore our sins long enough that they will go away on their own, or maybe even improve without us having to deal with them at all.

Or maybe we succeed in being dishonest with ourselves, and our self-examination never leads to correction. We believe we’re all right as we are, that there’s no room for improvement. This is delusional (James 1:22, 26;  1 Cor 3:18; 6:9;  Gal 6:3, 7;  2 Tim 3:12–13;  1 John 1:8).

In Greek mythology we meet a man who seems invincible. His name is Achilles. The myth is that he was dipped into the river Styx by his mother. He was immersed, except for where she was holding him: his heel. And so today, we talk about a weakness as someone’s Achilles heel.

Everyone doesn’t suffer from the same weaknesses. Some struggle with alcoholism, while others don’t ever find themselves tempted to take one drink. Some are consumed by sex, money or power. Paul urged the Corinthians, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). As an illustration of this, we will consider Matthew 26:30–35:

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

We remember how tragically this ended for Peter. Thankfully, he was not consumed by self-destruction, nor his desire to repent and make things right with the Lord (see John 21:15–19). I’d suggest that in this story we find Peter’s “Achilles heel” to be over-confidence (pride) in himself.
The point of all this is for us to honestly examine ourselves in light of God’s will. If we lack knowledge of his word, then we need to step up on that immediately and prayerfully (2 Tim 2:15; 3:14—4:5;  James 1:5–8;  2 Pet 1:5–11).

It’s not just that “we know better,” but that we “do better.” James urges us to be doers of the word (James 1:22). But it’s not just about being busy, but being active in a growing faith for the edification of ourselves and our spiritual family (Eph 4:11–16;  Heb 10:24–25).

We need also to remind ourselves that we cannot serve God and mammon (Matt 6:24; also see James 4:4). Mammon could very well be wealth or money, as more recent English translations have it. But some have suggested the word mammon means anything that could serve as an idol and replace God. God wants us to serve him completely (Matt 22:34–40;  Rom 8:5–11;  Col 3:1–11).

What do we lack? Are we willing to see the spiritual obstacles for what they are, or will we continue to ignore them? Judgment is coming for us all (Heb 9:27). We can be ready on God’s terms by knowing his will, and doing it (Php 2:12–13).

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Cor 5:10).

Being Wrong Isn't the Worst Thing

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of 

the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, 

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 

(Romans 3:22–24)

The first word of the gospel, as the apostle Peter proclaimed it on the Day of Pentecost two millennia ago, is repent. This single word distills the gospel message into one word:

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36–38).

Being wrong is not the worst thing, but willfully remaining wrong is. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:24–27).

There’s much involved with repentance: “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:9–11).

Repentance is what the first century world needed, and it’s what the twenty-first century world needs. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31).

Ignorance cannot be a proper defense against God’s perfect judgment. Paul said: “In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16–17). To the Christians in Rome, Paul wrote: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18–20).

Ignorance is removed with knowledge. But it’s not merely knowing God’s will that changes us (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1) — because if we don’t use the knowledge, it’s useless to us. “Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. … Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:7, 11). The Lord of glory spoke of two different kinds of people: those who hear and do, and those who hear but refuse to change (Luke 6:46–49). James reminds us all: “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21–22).

We could summarize the point by contrasting King Saul and King David, likewise the apostles Judas and Peter. Saul and Judas did not repent (again, consider 2 Corinthians 7:10–11). But David and Peter were of the sort who, when they were confronted with their sin, admitted it and sought God’s forgiveness immediately. The point is not that David and Peter were perfect keepers of God’s laws, but again, they repented.

Jesus said, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1–5; see Matthew 4:17; 11:20–24; Luke 15:7, 10). Oh, that we would have a heart like David and like Peter. We’re all sinners (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22). The problem is when we’re content to stay in our sin (cf. 2 Peter 2:20–22; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

The Word of God Is Living

For the word of God is living and active, 

sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, 

of joints and of marrow, and discerning 

the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

—Hebrews 4:12—

Most of us have probably heard and read Hebrews 4:12 many, many times. We often look to words that are written down in some old book as definitely not living and active, let alone sharper than any two-edged sword. Their ancient words written in languages that are no longer changing because they’re no longer being used. But these words—claiming to be from the One who created us all—are life! To neglect (or make light of) these words adversely affects us now, but especially in our eternal lives.

“Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Are we giving diligence to the study and meditation of God’s word? Are we occasional and haphazard in our studies, or diligent and focused? Is our “diligence” only when we come together with other Christians, or are we—on our own—reading God’s word and thinking about how these words of life apply to us and daily lives?

Even Satan knows the inherent power of God’s word for saving souls—as the Lord explained the parable of the sower who sowed seed everywhere, we read: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:11–12).

One of the things the word of God provides us is a look into the past to help navigate life now. We’ve all heard variations of the following statement: “Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.” God’s word gives us an interactive series of history lessons teaching us about how our God dealt with sin: “Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24–25).

Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples . . . Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall (1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 11–12).

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Are we willing to learn God’s lessons? How can we actually believe (because what we truly believe shows in how we’re living) that ignorance of God’s words and ways is, at all, beneficial? So then why do we maintain ignorance? Why are we not putting the time and effort into our knowledge of God’s mind as revealed to mankind through his holy apostles and prophets? (read 2 Peter 1:16–21; 3:14–18).

“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. . . . If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day (John 5:22–24; 12:47–48).

Get into the word of God, and allow it to get into you! It’s living and active . . . discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

What Standard Should We Use?

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the 

Son of God, growing into a mature man with a stature 

measured by Christ’s fullness.

—Ephesians 4:13—

THE apostle Paul warned that we should not compare ourselves with others: “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12). The standard that we are to use that will actually help us attain eternal life is Christ Himself. He is what God the Father desires us to become.

Like Jesus, we are to love our enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).

Or, as the apostle Paul put it: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. … For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:6–8, 10).

The growth God seeks in us requires a desire to please God and not ourselves (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 5:8–10). As always, our best example of this is Christ “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to hold, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me’” (Romans 15:2–3). “Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God; even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:32–33).

James offers that we pray for wisdom (James 1:5–8). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Ephesians 1:7–9).

The apostle Paul summarizes succinctly what I’m trying to get at in this article — “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

Again, our standard should be Jesus himself! And the more time we spend in reading about him and what he did (and why he did it) in the gospel accounts — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — the more we’re going to understand and appreciate everything about who he was here on earth. This doesn’t mean that the act of reading is going to accomplish it, but it’s a definite starting point. As Paul urged Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The only way for the word of God to get into us is by our getting into it. We make the time for what we deem valuable. If we’re really wanting to go to heaven, then we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

It’s not about just gaining knowledge, because knowing puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). It’s about gaining love, the love of Christ: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17–19). “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Guilty

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant 

released him and forgave him the debt. 

—Matthew 18:27—

JESUS wants us to come to him: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). We may, however, feel completely unworthy to come near him because of our wretchedness, our sin which we cannot cleanse ourselves from no matter how hard we try.

Guilt is a powerful feeling. And, quite honestly, guilt has its proper place—feeling guilty sometimes is good when we’re guilty and unwilling to change. But if we allow our guilt to consume us—by not recognizing its inherent power and how our adversary, the devil, can use it against us—then we may become useless in service to God and his perfect intentions for us through Jesus Christ. “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:8–11).

Forms of the English word “guilt” are found most in the book of Leviticus; and this isn’t completely surprising since Leviticus is about God’s holiness and his demand (and expectation) for those who follow him to be holy. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14–16).

The apostle Peter, through the direction of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20–21), quotes a phrase found in Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, and 20:7. Respectively, God is addressing Israel in these passages about dietary restrictions (and why they were to strictly follow them), general commands they were to follow (concerning treatment of their parents, idolatry, and how to properly offer to God peace offerings), and child sacrifice (as the Gentiles in Canaan had been practicing).

Guilt makes us feel uncomfortable. And maybe we don’t enjoy that feeling, although there are some who probably do because it’s how they feel almost all the time (and this isn’t good). But, again, guilt has its proper place: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Good grief is when the thief is sorry he’s a thief; bad grief is the thief sorry he got caught. It’s the essential difference between how the apostle Peter dealt with his grief (John 21:15–19) and how the apostle Judas dealt with his (Matthew 27:3–10; Acts 1:18–19). I am convinced that if the apostle Judas had had godly grief then he, too, would, like the apostle Peter, found forgiveness with Jesus. Again, because godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8–10). Why do we make God to be a liar if we say haven’t sinned? Because God says we all have: “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard” (Colossians 1:21–23).

God “will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:8–9).

Are we struggling with guilt? Then we should often remind ourselves of 1 John 3:19–22:

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 

How We Think

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that 

are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

—Colossians 3:1–3—

What we think about matters because what we think about is what we become. Our thinking directly affects our actions (Titus 1:15–16). We may not believe this, but the truth is evident—when we dwell on earthly, sensual, demonic things then we will eventually become this and nothing more. But when we dwell on things above, where Christ is, our minds will be lift us into higher realms of thought, reason, and action (James 3:13–18).

Too many will expend more effort dwelling on eating than thinking. As Christians—disciples, learners of Christ—we shouldn’t be this way. And we know it. But are we pursuing righteousness? (1 Tim. 6:11;  2 Tim. 2:22–23).

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). We know that faith comes out of hearing—but what is the source of our hearing? Hearing by means of the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17; also read Heb. 11:1–6). Jesus is the source of truth (John 8:31–32).

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (Eph. 4:17–21).

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:3–4; and read 2 Thess. 2:9–12).

The challenge before us all is thinking through God’s word because His word is truth (John 17:17). We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)—are we reading it as we should? It’s not merely about gaining knowledge because knowledge puffs us up (1 Cor. 8:1). We “have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Col. 3:10).

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22–24).

We might ask someone: “Where’s your head at?!” We’re asking about their focus, their concentration. So—spiritually—Where’s our head at? Where’s our focus? “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things (Php. 4:6–8).

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:4–6).

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12–13).

Again, it matters what we meditate on, what we think about. Our thinking directly affects our doing. We cannot be doers of the word if we don’t know the word (James 1:21–22).

The Way of Man

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, 

that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. 

—Jeremiah 10:23—

No one really wants to be ignorant. We like knowing things. Whether we’re talking about knowing scores or the news, we like knowing things. We don’t want to be thought of as being dumb or stupid. Some will insist that “Ignorance is bliss!” but who really wants to be ignorant?

One of the problems with knowledge, though, is that if it’s not tempered by discernment (being able to tell the difference between right and wrong), then knowledge alone only puffs us up (1 Corinthians 8:1), and makes us full of ourselves: just knowing things doesn’t necessarily become for us wisdom.

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may test and approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11). Bible knowledge is imperative to us as followers of Jesus. We need to know what He said and taught, and how He conducted Himself among sinful people.

To me, one of the most important characteristics of our Lord when He lived among mankind was His compassion. There’s one particular story that comes to mind where Jesus was angry with religious leaders because of their arrogant lack of compassion:

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored (Mark 3:1–5).

The apostle Paul points out that the world around us is full of people who walk in the futility of their minds, and that we’re not to live the way they do:

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! (Ephesians 4:17–20)

Here’s the thing: twenty-first century mankind is (morally) no different from 1st century mankind! As the apostle Paul put it:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:18–22).

We want to believe that we control our destinies, but we don’t; despite having smartphones and all our modern conveniences. Losing electricity for a few days humbles us mightily (as it should). And, as the prophet Jeremiah cried out: “the way of man is not in himself … it is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

We desperately need humility (James 4:6–10). As God proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).

Maybe we believe that ignorance of God’s word is somehow going to help us, but how? We’re all going to stand before our Creator in judgment (Hebrews 9:27 / Romans 14:11–12 / 2 Corinthians 5:10 / Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). If we want heaven, then we need to know what pleases God. Read His word (Romans 10:17 / 1 Corinthians 2:6–16).

When Does Neglecting the Bible Become Sinful?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing 

through the word of Christ.

—Romans 10:17—

WE KNOW THAT WE NEED to read God’s word for ourselves. It’s one thing to hear it being proclaimed (preached) but it’s quite another to read it for ourselves with our own understanding and effort. But, what happens when we don’t read God’s word for ourselves the way we know we should? The “big” question is this: Is it a sin to not read the Bible?

I’d suggest that reading for the sake of reading is not what we’re striving for—it’s not merely the activity, although the doing of the thing is obviously important. But it’s the purpose of our reading: what are we trying to gain from it? The apostle Paul wrote that “When you read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). Reading is designed to help our understanding—to be filled with God’s word is to be filled with His Holy Spirit:

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16–19)

Can we see the benefit of reading God’s word for ourselves? And if we are spiritually insecure—believing somehow that the reading of God’s word for ourselves isn’t going to help us—then we need to ask of God for wisdom (James 1:5–8; see 1 Kings 3:9–12; Proverbs 2:3–6). God’s generosity is unwavering.

Neglecting Bible reading can lead us straight into sin because our desire is not after eternal things (Colossians 3:1–4). There are only two options laid out by our Creator in eternity: heaven and hell (Matthew 7:13–14). We cannot accidentally serve God; by His grace we must learn what it is He seeks in us and then zealously do it (Ephesians 5:7–10; John 4:23–24; Titus 2:11–14).

The writer of Hebrews admonishes:

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:2–3; also see Matthew 22:5).

Neglect is sinful, because neglect means we’re not taking these warnings from God seriously. But we can repent of it. “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may test and approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).

David wrote that the word of God is more to be “desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. … Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:10–11, 14).

What we allow to occupy our mind affects our thinking and our conduct. This is why God wants us to be mind-full of His word, to meditate upon it always (Psalm 1:2; 77:12; 104:34; 119:15, 97).

Reading isn’t intended to be “busy work,” but a connection to the very mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:9–12), and therefore to God Himself. “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16; see John 15:15). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105; also read 2 Peter 1:16–21). Are we growing? If we’re not, then what alternative is there?