ARE YOU GOVERNED INCREASINGLY BY GOD'S WORD?
A few reasons that I am really encouraged and really convicted by the question:
- It leaves room for growth. None of us have arrived.
- Governance = Lordship, and Jesus had a lot to say about that.
- It deals with obedience, not just knowledge.
- It maximizes the influence God's Word should have on our lives.
He also stresses something important about our growth as a Christian. Concerning being governed by Scripture, he reminds us that (1) this will be a general characteristic of a true follower of Jesus, but (2) it will also be something that increasingly characterizes the growing Christian. We HAVE to leave room for God to work in people's lives.
He answers the question of how we can develop a dependence on God's Word.
- Deepen our desire for it. Listen to it preached and taught. Use internet resources as needed. Meditate on Scripture. Concentrate on a particular verse, phrase or word, that is applicable to your life.
- Make time for God's Word. Just as you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, set aside scheduled times for feeding on God's Word.
- Read the Bible daily and do not close it until you know at least one thing God would have you do in response to your reading.
- List at least five areas that you have not considered from a biblical perspective. Search the Scriptures and prayerfully consider one area each day for the next five days.
- Train yourself to ask "How does the Bible speak to this?"
In reflecting on the chapter, I believe Whitney has the right order, even in his first two questions. A hunger for God will inevitably produce a desire for His Word. When the Bible is read with a thirsty heart, it will yield obedience.
As I said, encouraging and convicting at the same time.
