Word - Why do we need to study and love the word of God?

As I mentioned in the earlier posts, there are 4 main pillars in a believer's personal walk with God that are of equal importance and need to grow together.



Let's take a look at the Word today.



John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."



Being a Christian simply means you have a relationship wth God (and the Trinity).

Then being IN a relationship, how do we build this relationship with God? One whom we cannot see, cannot touch. If you have been IN a relationship with a person, you will know the basic principles of knowing a person. You will want to meet the person, talk to the person, hear the person share their dreams, their past experiences, their feelings etc.



In the same manner, we spend time with God to know Him!

But HOW??



1. Know God through the Word

You want to know who God says He is? You want to know the promises He made to His saints? You want to know the rules and regulations He set for His beloved? You want to know how much He loves you,how He loves you?



The answers are ALL found in the WORD!! IN the bible in your possession!



Because we love Him, just as He loves us, He knows us, we want to know Him. Loving Him requires knowing Him and Loving Him requires us to know and OBEY His commands!
(1John 2:3-6)



God is love. And God's love is an action word, not a feeling word. When God said He loves the world, He SENT His one and only Son.

Hence, the definition of love He set for us, is also an action. OBEDIENCE! to what? To His commands!



So, how can we obey when we do not know His commands? How can we know God without reading the word?



2. The Word is good for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
(2Tim 3:16-17)



As chosen servants of God, appointed leaders over the flock, apart from our basic desire and love for the word,as we love God; we have a responsibility and duty to FEED the sheep, TAKE CARE of the sheep and DEFEND the sheep when wolves try to come kill, steal or destroy! But how do we do all these without the Word of God in our lives?



Reference Verse: 1Pet 2:2, Heb 5:12-14, 1 Cor 3:1-2



3.For comfort, encouragement; fleeing from temptations; showing the way to a steadfast walk etc



Ps 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet."

Ps 1:1-3 "...but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night."

Ps 119:9-11"..by living according to your word..."

John17:16/ John 15:3



4. The Word is the sword of the Spirit ( Eph6:17b)and it has cleansing power



Eph 5:25-27 - we can be cleansed by washing with water through the word. It can also guide us to discern the truth, separating the bad from the good, pierce through the spirit like a double edged sword.



Finally, i like to end with Joshua 1:8-9 and John 14:23-24.



Joshua 1:8-9 " DO not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have i not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."



John 14:23-24" Jesus replied,"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him , and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."



Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word. I ask that You will revive our hearts once again to love and embrace Your word, Your laws, Your commands. Tutor our hearts to be humble, submissive and obedient towards You, and let our hearts not harden when we hear Your word. Dear Lord, draw us close to You to know You, teach us Your ways so that we can obey You, soften our hearts to always love You and the people You love.
In Jesus' name, Amen.