CHARLES HARRIS: Find daily delight in God’s word

What is your delight? What is it you look forward to each day? Psalm 1 says the God-approved person has a delight “in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” The more one studies the word of God, the more that the Word will become a delight. Psalm 19:10 says, the Scriptures “are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”

The Bible offers us the precious gift of truth. And we need the truth, not a lie. We want to know what’s real, not a myth and not a fantasy. We would rather know the truth that hurts for a short time but blesses us eternally than to hear a lie that pleases for now but costs us our soul. The Scriptures give us that key to sort through the many voices of our day and to be able to unlock the truth. Psalm 119:160 proclaims, “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.”

The Lord Jesus could say in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; and no one comes to the Father but through Me.” And He promised in John 8:31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” And He told Pontius Pilate in John 18:37, “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. And everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

God gave us His word to save us. The apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” James 1:21 says, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive that word that’s implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

When Peter came to Cornelius’ house, he brought “words” by which Cornelius and his household were saved (Acts 11:13). Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 says of the gospel, that it is the “word of reconciliation.” Philippians 2:16 calls it the “word of life.” The Lord Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

We must never be ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s will. It possesses those same qualities that God Himself possesses, endued with His divine authority. It will never fail. Though everyone has free will, and many will choose to ignore it, or try to alter it, or reject it altogether, the gospel will endure. The one who has committed his or her life to it will not be disappointed, as through His word, God will accomplish His good work of salvation. May we be committed to its principles and precepts, to living them out in our daily lives, and faithfully communicating them to those around us. Those who take their refuge in the enduring Word of God, shall endure forever with Him.

When people distort God’s Word to fit themselves, they cheat themselves and those who agree with them. Sadly, people often try to make the Bible teach something false. And they’re only fooling themselves. The Bible frequently says, “Be not deceived,” and it says that because people often lie to themselves rather than face the truth. That’s why we must continually listen closely to Scripture. I worry about those who think they’ve been saved but haven’t listened closely to Scripture.

Don’t be fooled. The Bible teaches that we must believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God to be saved (John 8:24). And out of love for God, we must repent of sin and turn to righteousness to be right with God (Luke 13:3). As a loving, penitent believer we must confess our faith and be baptized into Christ. Just as those in Acts 2:38 needed to be baptized to have their sins forgiven, so do we. Baptism is the time that God sets a penitent believer free from sin (Romans 6:3-7). And I hope that you’re going to listen to God’s Word and obey it today!

The Beattie Road Church of Christ meets at 1731 Beattie Road in Albany. The church’s times of services are Sunday: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday: 7 p.m. If we can assist you in your spiritual journey, contact us at (229) 435-2193 or (870) 500-5535. You can also visit us online at beattieroad.com.