How can we see the glory of Christ in His Word? How do we reach for more by reading his Word in an enduring way? Is there more of Jesus to explore in His Word? Picking up our Bibles can feel as if we are lifting hundreds of pounds over our heads.
We set out in January with a Bible reading plan, a goal, and a ton of resolve. We make it to March before the ‘weight’ gets too much and we set the Bible down. By March it is like trying to bench press 315 lbs cold and untrained. In other words, we do NOT feel stronger but rather sluggish. But there is a way that reading your Bible can renew you and transform you without it becoming a mere task on your to-do list.
How do we do it? How do we become ‘whole Bible’ Christians?
These 5 ways have helped me find Christ in his Word. Note: All Scripture referenced is from the ESV.
1. Look for Christ on every page.
Charles Spurgeon says, “The whole Book is about Him. Look for Him on every page. He is there. If you fail to see Him there, you need to read that page again.”
Where are you surprised to find Christ? Where is it easy to recognize Him?
2. Look for the beauty of Christ in His Word.
1 Peter 1:12 –“the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”
Tim Keller in his sermon, “The Trouble with Christianity” states, “The angels are a lot smarter than you and me. You know they have been around forever. And yet they never, ever, ever, ever get tired of looking into the gospel. The gospel is the thing they are looking into all the time.”
What is something beautiful about Jesus?
3. Pray that your awe of Christ increases as your read.
Luke 5:26 – “And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe,”
Paul Tripp, in an interview with Desiring God, states, “The danger for me is the danger of familiarity because the more familiar things get the less, they command my awe.”
What has become too familiar about Jesus? How can I be in awe of Him again?
4. Treasure Christ in His Word.
Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Proverbs 2:4,5 – “if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Edmund P. Clowney in his book “Christian Meditation” states, “Not ecstasy but wisdom marks the path of Christian meditation. To seek the face of the living God the Christian does not launch a voyage in inner space nor does he center on abstract infinity. Rather, he mediates on the Scripture of Christ. He fills his thoughts with what the Bible says about Jesus, for he is not attempting to imagine a Christ but to learn about the real Christ. The disciple who would learn from his Master must treasure his words.”
How can you practically treasure the Word today?
5. Find life through Christ in His Word.
John 6:48 – “I am the bread of life.”
Deuteronomy 32:47a – “It is no empty word for you, but your very life”
Dane C. Ortlund in his book “Edwards on the Christian Life” states,
“Edwards told the Indians in a sermon preached a few months before he died, “God gave his word for the sake of men, for their happiness.” You own a Bible to get happy through life-giving, soul-calming communication with God.”
In closing, AW Tozer in “The Crucified Life: How to Live Out a Deeper Christian Experience” says, “Show me the condition of your Bible and I will accurately predict the condition of your soul.”
How can you explore your Bible today? How can you find Christ in His Word?
Shaun is a graduate of Platoon 20 Revelation Wellness Instructor Training, a shepherd for Rim to Him, and a lead instructor for Rev Wild.
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