Sep
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Means of Grace: The Word
Filed Under Christian Living, Family, Worship
To follow up on my post from earlier in the week, I want to briefly consider with you the first and foremost “means of grace”. In all lists for all times by all true Christians, the main means of growth has been by the Bible (aka the Scriptures, Word of God, God’s Word, etc). This is the kind of thing that could and has taken up thousands of pages of explanation. I want to pause as we face the weekend before us simply to reflect on the environments in which the Word of God is a means of grace.
- In Worship: Central to our worship is the Bible. We sing the Bible, pray the Bible, read the Bible, and preach the Bible. We hold to the doctrine of the regulative principle in worship. Simply put, the regulative principle says that the Bible regulates everything that we do in worship. The Bible instructs us in how to do worship. Central to the Bible’s teaching on worship is that the Bible is central in worship. Sound like circular reasoning? Well, it kind of is. But it is also good for our souls. Do you want to grow in grace as a Christian? The primary way that God has provided for that growth is through the prolific presence of the Bible in our corporate worship.
- We step down one tier from corporate worship and we come into the sphere of the family. The Bible is intended to grow us in grace by being a part of every aspect of our family life. Take a look at Deuteronomy 6. God’s Word is to be a part of every activity of the family (getting up, going out, coming home, laying down…). For a helpful guide on how fathers can lead their families in this, look at my post from earlier today.
- One more step down from the family and we come to the sphere of the individual. You, average Joe Christian, are supposed to be a student of the Bible. It is the means by which we know God and the means by which we understand how God knows us. You need several times during the week to sit down and read God’s Word. Remember this is not a line on your to-do list to becoming a “good” Christian. This is the very life blood of your relationship with God. This is how God makes you happy (ie grows you in grace) and brings glory to himself. This is how you cultivate your friendship, fellowship, and discipleship with your Lord Jesus Christ.
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