LEARNING DAILY

Luke 11:27-28, As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

In this passage Luke is writing about the differences between one who follows Satan and one who follows Jesus. A woman cries out that Mary is blessed for being the mother of Jesus. Jesus replied that being close to Him, even as part of His family, is not enough. To receive blessings, even His family members must choose to follow Him as their Savior. The statement of Jesus shows the need to be not only listening to His teachings and being in His Word (for us today) but also being obedient to them. It stresses that hearing or reading/studying/meditating on God’s Word is not enough. For the Believer that means he/she must act by walking the narrow way in obedience, living according to the teachings of the Word of God.

This is not condemnation, but encouragement for living according to God’s teachings. Believers should experience a sense of fulfillment, righteousness (right living) and peace in their lives because of obeying God’s Word. If this is not the case for you, take a moment to consider how your life might truly change if you would walk in godly principles and in the values taught in God’s Word. Do you see the importance of reading/studying/meditating on these things; the more you do, the more likely they become seen in your daily actions and decision-making. I have often had to think through my lifestyle, attitude, behavior, and the words I speak when reading God’s Word.

In James 1:22 Believers are encouraged to not only hear the word’s Jesus taught but to follow them. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus compares those who built their life on the sand with those who build their lives on the Rock, on Him and His Word. Both verses of Scripture refer to not only hearing/reading but applying the teaching to the Believer’s life. Receive and put the Word into your heart and mind and then see how it changes your life.

Blessed is a term that implies happiness and God’s favor. When a believer truly is active in reading/studying/meditating on the Word of God, it becomes more than just feeling good. It becomes about knowing about Him, it is about being in a right relationship with God. When one consistently reads, studies God’s Word, a desire to understand and follow what it says follows (Perhaps the desire to understand and follow precedes it!?). When one approaches God’s Word with a heart and willingness to receive and obey it, the Holy Spirit will guide the individual into understanding and give strength and discipline to follow His instructions in walking the narrow way. Yes, this is a choice and a commitment. Are you ready to make it?