SET YOUR HEART ARIGHT!
SET YOUR HEART ARIGHT!
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. —Ezra 7:10
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. —John 21:24-25
Through the ages, our Lord has had those who sought to be faithfully sharing His Word. “Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” How about you and I? Have we set our heart to—
- Study the Word of God?
- To apply the Word of God to our lives?
- To teach the Word of God to others?
The progression shows that God’s Word studied is to impact our own lives before we seek to teach others. We do not study the Word of God just for knowledge. Nor do we study the Word of God just for ourselves. No, we are to apply what God says to us to our lives first. Then we are to share the Word of God with others.
Also, John wrote a witness about Jesus. He was with Him and served as Jesus directed. He was a first-hand witness, but also was bearing witness of the application of the Word of God— Jesus. God did not just share His written Word with us. No, He also shared the Word, His Son, with us (John 1:1).
We have all we need to believe. The Creation around us bears witness of the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20). He has given us His Son “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He has given us His Word to show us that “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). And He has given us His Holy Spirit— “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:13-14).
So, what more can He do? He has given us all we need to believe. We can hear the message, but let us not be like the Israelites who heard the message but it was “of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed” (Hebrews 4:2). Because “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith, Dear Father, thank You that You drew me to Jesus and revealed to me Who He Is. Now, may I encourage others to consider Who Jesus is and what He has done for us. May I do so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. May this be all for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Sx_U0Ztr8