Knowing, and growing.

Recently, I came across this quotation: "A Christian who memorises a lot of Scripture verses can remain spiritually ignorant, while a believer who can hardly remember a text but who applies it is a spiritual giant by comparison."

An interesting thought! It is, of course, a mini-commentary on James' words in his letter to the early church: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (1:22). 

One of my friends frequently comments that the church, in the "West" is dying from ignorance - ignorance of the Word of God. I agree! However, it must also be said that there is a difference between knowing Biblical facts, important 'though that is, and being obedient to God's Word. That's why, when we listen to a sermon, read a devotional passage, or receive a fresh insight from a book that we are reading, we need to practise what we have learned. Only then does God's truth become a personal possession.

I have read that when British king, Edward VI, attended a worship service, he stood as the Word of God was being read. He also took notes and, later, would study them with great care. Throughout the week, he sought, diligently, to apply them to his own life! That is the sort of response to which we are all being called by those words of James, quoted above. The apostle continues: "For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (vs.23-24). How often do you; how often do I; hear a great message on Sunday - but have forgotten it by Monday?! Yet a single, revealed truth that is acted upon, is more vital to our spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus, than a head full of information that is simply "gathering dust"!

Perhaps you feel that you have reached a spiritual plateau. If that is the case (and even if it is not!), check if there is a Biblical command that you have not obeyed; a truth that you have doubted!  Could there be a promise that you have not yet claimed? A warning here! Make sure that you read that promise in its full context! I recall a young man who had not long been converted telling me, excitedly, that he was getting a brand new car. Knowing something of his personal financial situation, I asked how this was going to happen. He pointed me to some words from Psalm 37: "... He [the LORD] will give you the desires of your heart." (v.4). I had to gently refer him to the context of those words: "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.  Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (vs.3-7; emphases added). There is a full sermon there, but suffice it to say that it is not as simple as my friend seemed to think! 

New light is given only to those who are walking in the light that they already have. Spiritual growth only occurs when doing follows hearing! I think that it was Oswald Chambers who said that "One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it"!