The Word of God continues to astound me. Consider for a moment 2 Peter 1:1 – 4 (here @ Bible Gateway - it’s one sentence). The astounding part for me is in verse 4 (here @ Bible Gateway). Peter states that we can become partakers of the divine nature through His promises.
Of course, it is in His Word that we find His promises. The implications of this continually amaze me. When we are in His Word, He is revealing His nature and character to us through what is written. Luther was amazed by the reality that the Creator of the universe reveals Himself in a book.
If and since that is the case that seems to add near incalculable importance to each of us that claim to know Christ and follow Him to spend not only quality but a significant quantity of time partaking of His nature in His book.
Because I use 2 Peter (here @ Bible Gateway) as the central text for each of the workshops, I am really familiar with the book. I have studied it over 200 times. I have the book memorized. I have outlined and charted the book more times than I can count. But, as I tell those in the workshops each time I read the book, I see something I have not seen before.
In the past few days, I have been wondering about that. How is it that there is something new each time? Some new insight, some connection that I have not seen before?
I think there are at least two factors that contribute to that consistent experience. First, Hebrews 4:12 (here @ Bible Gateway) reminds us that the Word is living and active. We know that the Holy Spirit inspired the text (2 Peter 1:20 – 21- here @ Bible Gateway); 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 - here @ Bible Gateway), is tasked with leading us into truth (John 16:13 - here @ Bible Gateway), and indwells us as believers (Romans 8:9 - 11 - here @ Bible Gateway). So, perhaps it is the case that the Spirit working in us shows us more and more as we return again and again.
Second, as I engage in the Word, applying it to my thought and behavior, when I return to its pages I am a different person than I was the last time I was there. 2 Peter 1:1 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this at a significant level. Peter tells us there that when we start with true knowledge and build our life on that knowledge it increases our true knowledge.
There are probably other factors in play here. Those are the ones that have come to mind.
There is a bit more I need to share. I will do so in the next post.
If and since that is the case that seems to add near incalculable importance to each of us that claim to know Christ and follow Him to spend not only quality but a significant quantity of time partaking of His nature in His book.
Because I use 2 Peter (here @ Bible Gateway) as the central text for each of the workshops, I am really familiar with the book. I have studied it over 200 times. I have the book memorized. I have outlined and charted the book more times than I can count. But, as I tell those in the workshops each time I read the book, I see something I have not seen before.
In the past few days, I have been wondering about that. How is it that there is something new each time? Some new insight, some connection that I have not seen before?
I think there are at least two factors that contribute to that consistent experience. First, Hebrews 4:12 (here @ Bible Gateway) reminds us that the Word is living and active. We know that the Holy Spirit inspired the text (2 Peter 1:20 – 21- here @ Bible Gateway); 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 - here @ Bible Gateway), is tasked with leading us into truth (John 16:13 - here @ Bible Gateway), and indwells us as believers (Romans 8:9 - 11 - here @ Bible Gateway). So, perhaps it is the case that the Spirit working in us shows us more and more as we return again and again.
Second, as I engage in the Word, applying it to my thought and behavior, when I return to its pages I am a different person than I was the last time I was there. 2 Peter 1:1 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway) speaks to this at a significant level. Peter tells us there that when we start with true knowledge and build our life on that knowledge it increases our true knowledge.
There are probably other factors in play here. Those are the ones that have come to mind.
There is a bit more I need to share. I will do so in the next post.
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