The inspiration and authority of the Scriptures are of value to us only so far as we change our beliefs to conform to its principles and alter our behavior to coincide with its imperatives. The Bible is meant to govern our lives, to fashion our choices, to challenge our cherished traditions, and ultimately to make us look more like Jesus. The question for each of us, then, is whether the Bible actually functions in this way. Do we submit to its dictates? Do we put our confidence in its promises? Do we stop living a certain way in response to its counsel? Do we embrace particular truths on its authority? Do we set aside traditional practices that conflict with its instruction? In other words, for the Bible to be of value to us it mustactually function to shape how we think, feel, and act, as well as what we believe, value, and teach.Elizabeth and I are following the Read the Bible for Life plan, which will take us through the entire Bible by the end of 2011. This reading plan is somewhat different than most in that it covers the bible chronologically rather than canonically - which I have so far found to be quite enjoyable.
I appreciate the above excerpt from Sam Storms, and I pray that I allow both my heart and my behavior to be molded by God's Holy Word. Otherwise our reading is just a waste of time.
Awesome!
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