2 Chronicles 17:9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

Ignorance can be fatal. Jehoshaphat recognized that there was no hope of the people of Judah being obedient to God if they had no idea what God was asking of them. The list of the names of the men sent to teach the people seems like a jumble of sounds to us, but I’m sure those men received their reward in heaven. The point is, they didn’t just go around saying, this is what you are to do, they took copies of the Law of the Lord with them and taught it carefully. In most countries today Bibles are readily available. In some parts of the US, most homes have multiple copies! In spite of that, there is a profound ignorance of what the Bible really says. The printed Bible is treated more like a good luck charm than as a practical guide for every-day living. A disciple of Christ is going to treat the Bible as his instruction manual, as well as a love letter from his Lord. The Holy Spirit will speak to us even if we aren’t familiar with Scripture, but He has a far easier time of getting through to us when we are. A major point of discipleship is our attitude toward the Bible. When we are commanded to make disciples of all nations, that means we need to help them get the Bible into their hearts, not as academic facts but as the living Word of God. I agree fully with my grandfather’s contention that any individual’s Bible is only as big as the portion of the Word he has appropriated into his heart to do, in obedience to God.

When my grandfather felt that way, it’s not surprising that I grew up in a home that loved God and His Word. That leaves me with less excuse than most for my lapses in obedience to God! As a pastor today, I need not just to inform people of what the Bible says, but how to take it in, apply it, and love the God who said it. So much of discipleship is wrapped up in that! I was moved to tears of gratitude several years ago when one of the believers here said I was “addicted to the Bible,” speaking from experience because he had been an alcoholic. However, it’s not enough if I’m addicted, I need to spread the addiction around! In my preaching and teaching I need to be careful to express the Word in practical terms, as something to be applied and lived. There are far too many “paper Christians” who have never really applied the faith they profess.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the fax that came in from a neighbor yesterday that I only just saw this morning. Dealing with that is going to be an exercise in applying my faith! I ask for wisdom, so that everyone involved may be drawn to You. I pray that every part of my life may accurately demonstrate Christ and illustrate the truth of Your Word, so that all with whom I interact may be drawn to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!