We turn our hearts now to the truth of God’s Word as it reveals His character. This is at the same time an intellectual and a Spiritual exercise. Paul admonished Timothy, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything (2 Timothy 2:7 ESV).” Notice, he tells Timothy he needs to think. We will not learn and grow without thinking. But, notice also, that he tells Timothy that the Lord will give understanding. We must study, think, and evaluate as we are guided and taught by the Spirit.
Often, this understanding of truth and the ministry of the Spirit will produce an emotional response. We may be led to joy over the greatness of God. We may be led to sorrow over our sinfulness and pride. Whatever emotion is produced, we should not think that it is something that must be controlled and avoided. In fact, emotional reaction to truth is encouraged in scripture.
If the ministry of the Word of God and the Spirit lead you to joy and praise, express it to God inwardly and outwardly. Spend some time in praise, singing songs in worship to God. “Shout for joy,” as the Psalms encourage.
If the ministry of the Word of God and the Spirit lead you to sorrow or humble brokenness, don’t fight the flow of tears, don’t resist being broken to the point of tears. This too is Biblical.
There is one more way in which the Word and the Spirit should work in us. God never intended His Word to produce only an intellectual or emotional response. To come away from God’s Word with only these responses is complete foolishness (Jesus’ words). God intends for the ministry of His Word and Spirit to produce in us a change in action.
When we are confronted in these meditations with the truth of God’s character we must not respond only emotionally. We must respond by bringing our actions in line with the character of God. We must go even beyond the exercise of application in our study to the point of implementation.
This is true worship: To recognize the truths of God, to apply them to our lives, to allow the ministry of the Holy Spirit to seal these truths to the depths of our hearts, producing the appropriate response, and then, to act according to this truth.
Each one of these meditations on the character of God has spanned several sessions in study and meditation. I would encourage you to take your time. Meditation is essential to reap the full benefits of the Word of God.
I pray that “you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of eh saints in light.” (Col. 1:9-12)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: (46) The Infinitude of God
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