This is the time of year when many folks think about the Reformation. This event returned the Church to the Bible as the source for our information about God and the standard that controls all our teachings about Him. We discover in the Word that fantastic message of God’s love for us in Christ that accomplished our forgiveness and salvation. That is the message that gives us life and joy, the message that we want to share with those who have not yet come to faith in Jesus. That is why God’s people should all be people who are IN THE WORD.

John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “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.”

As disciples or followers of Jesus, we all need to continue to be in His Word. I would often tell the members of my congregation, “If it is not in you, it won’t come out of you!” If you have not filled your heart and mind with God’s Word, how can you possibly share it with others? Regular time in His Word will get it into you.

There is a prayer that has been used in some traditions down through the years that is known as “The Collect for the Word.”  One of the newer renderings of it begins this way:

Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord…

In an earlier version of that prayer, instead of “take them to heart” it said “inwardly digest them.” That always reminded me that the Word is the spiritual nourishment we need for our day to day living.

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

The reason the Word of God is so sweet is that it points us to our Savior. Martin Luther once wrote that the Scriptures are the cradle in which Christ lies. It is because God’s Word tells us all we need to know to receive forgiveness and life everlasting that we treasure it.

Followers of Jesus should seek answers to our questions by asking, “What does the Bible say?” God’s Word remains the final Word in all of our teachings.

Be in the Word.