“And he said to them, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
In earlier articles we examined the Lord’s words in Luke 9:23 when He admonishes the reader to “take up his cross DAILY.” This should occur not just on the first day of the week, but every day. In this article, we will conclude a study of daily habits every Christian should observe.
Perhaps one of the best habits indicative of Christ-like “daily religion” would be daily study. Acts 17:11 says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Where is the Bible knowledge of the church of Christ today? Many who have been members of the church for several years are unable to answer even fundamental questions concerning the Bible. Why does such a condition exist in the church? The answer is a lack of study.
In a recent Sunday sermon, James Meadows gave a great example using appetite. If one has an appetite for food, he will eat. If one has no appetite for food, no encouragement will entice him to eat. Many in the church today have no appetite for God’s word. If we do not study, we will not know. If we do not know, we will not do. If we do not the things we are commanded, we will be lost, for Jesus said, “Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Some will say, “I don’t have time.” We take the time to do the things we want to do. If we want to go hunting, fishing, play golf, or anything else, we take the time for it. Therefore, if we had an appetite for God’s word and wanted to study the Bible daily, we would take time for it.
Again, as we strive to make our daily lives what God would have them be, let us be sure to put forth effort to lead lost humanity to the Lord.
For the elders, Tony Williams