It Is Written, But Is It Read?
As many of you have heard, this weekend we had the opportunity of taking many of our high school students up to a student apologetics conference in Seattle. Our group consisted of 36 teens, 9 leaders, 8 vehicles, and too many students who decided to wake up at 5am to go workout with their friends in the hotel gym. The conference theme was titled, “It Is Written” and was focused on the trustworthiness and goodness of God’s Word. There were sessions that covered the topics of doubt, science, the reliability of God’s Word, sexuality, the reliability of the gospels, violence and the Bible, and many others.
While there was a lot of value in all of these topics, the session that stuck out most to me was the closing session that was titled, “It Is Written, But Is It Read?” The main point of the talk was that studying the reliability and trustworthiness of God’s Word is pointless unless we choose to read the Bible and allow it to shape our lives. As followers of Jesus, we are meant to be formed by God’s Word. It is not enough for a sick person to know the right medication to take if they never use it. It is not enough for a farmer to know how to care for their crops if they choose to never water them. Similarly, it is not enough for us to know the Bible is the true, inspired Word of God if we do not allow it to form our thoughts, actions, motives, and desires.
If you are anything like me, it can be a challenge to maintain a regular rhythm of reading God’s Word. I desire to have a daily discipline of personal time in the Bible, but it is difficult to put away distractions and give God even a short period of undivided attention daily. If you can relate, allow me to use this as an opportunity to focus our thoughts on the words of Jesus from John 15:4-11.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
My prayer for us this week is that we would be a people marked by our love for one another as we abide in Christ.
Jacob Abrahamson
Youth Pastor
Categories: Evergreen Connection