But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:5-6
Noted Bible scholar, James M. Gray, once told a story of impact in his life to underscore the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. When he was a young Bible teacher, he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual maturity of a friend he spoke with often.
Gray wanted the same stability as his friend, so he asked what the secret of his confidence and positive outlook toward Scripture was. The man said, "It all started through reading Ephesians."
Having read through Ephesians many times, Gray was surprised by his response since he had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. After noticing Gray's puzzled look, the man said, "On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. One afternoon, I laid down outside and read all six chapters."
Gray's friend continued, "My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus?a feeling that was new to me."
His friend's testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scripture himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with the Word of God so he could freely and effectively communicate it to others and stand strong in his own faith. Do you have a hold on the Scriptures like Gray's friend? Or better yet, does it have a hold on you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would speak to you clearly as you study His Word?book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse.
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