Not Just Hearers of The Word

by Jon Hathorn on October 20, 2023

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

I read a quote recently from Rick Warren - “I once was asked what the best translation of the Bible was. My answer: when you translate it into your life. That’s what Bible study is all about. If you’re not translating God’s Word into your life, you’re not studying the Bible the way God intended.”

Many people have a Bible, in fact there are more copies of the Bible in print and in electronic form than any other book in the world. It has exciting stories of love, romance, scandal, war, political overthrows, mystery, love, poetry, victory, pain, struggle, divine intervention - and just about anything else you can think of from literature, movies, and life. But is the Bible in your life, is it a priority in the way you think and act?

This Bible has been called a book of history, but really it is a story of HIS-story - the story of the love maintaining an ongoing relationship with His people. Are these stories in your heart and do they have an impact on the way you live?

The word BIBLE has been called an acronym - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - but have you read these instructions and taken them to heart - making the ways of the Lord central to the way you think?

Here are a couple of great quotes about the importance of the Bible.

“If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.” – Billy Graham

“The object of the Bible is not to tell how good men are, but how bad men can become good.” —Dwight L. Moody

“I’ve experienced His presence in the deepest darkest hell that men can create. I have tested the promises of the Bible, and believe me, you can count on them. I know that Jesus Christ can live in you, in me, through His Holy Spirit. You can talk with Him; you can talk with Him out loud or in your heart when you are alone, as I was alone in solitary confinement. The joy is that He hears each word.” – Corrie Ten Boom

“The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.” Anonymous

“The dirtier your Bible, the cleaner your heart!” Anonymous

“The more you read the Bible the more you’ll love the author.” Anonymous

The main point is - the Bible has life and that life can bring us contentment by obeying it. Let's read the Word and live the Word.

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."