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James Houston said; “True Christianity is turning the possible into the actual.” Is this true for you? How do the possible become the actual in our experience? A good friend of mine and I were having a conversation that is of increasing concern the other day. Maybe you share the unease that perhaps a serious, growing problem in the church must be vigorously addressed: most Christians don’t know the Bible well and are even convinced that it is un-necessary for their faith walk.

Too many are substituting inspiring music, biblical snippets (tips for living), and the vicarious study of scripture through others writing and/or teaching for personal, regular, serious Bible study, meditation and application. For me, it has been too easy to become fonder of receiving teachings, visions and hearing prophetic words, which I assume are direct communications from God that bypass the Bible and lessen the importance of searching the scriptures for myself. God does give teachings, visions and prophetic words; but not without the balance of Biblical revelation.

I strongly believe the Holy Spirit speaks the Word of God continually in our hearts; providing loving direction, instruction, correction and encouragement for our daily journey. Jesus Christ is the ‘logos’-Word of God within us at all times. His words become personalized in our inner journey as ‘rheama’ (God-sight and insight) for our outer journey. But these internal ‘words’ of God must be understood, verified  and interpreted in the bigger picture of the entire written Word of God.

The possible becomes the actual by way of the Word of God; Logos and Rheama! The Word of God is the only sure thing that never passes away. All sixty six books within the Bible contain a love story beckoning our discovery. One put it this way; “the Bible is a love story that begins with a divorce. Everything from the third chapter of Genesis through the end of Revelation is the story of a betrayed lover (God) wooing us back into His arms so we can enjoy the love of family forever.”

The following passage in John 6: 57-69 (NIV) reveals the heart of this issue; many are still resistant to going first and foremost to Jesus for His Word as their sole source of sustenance. His word; the scriptures and how he daily feeds our soul are the Bread of Life.

57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 57 In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 58 This is the Bread from heaven. Your ancestors ate bread and later died. Whoever eats this Bread will live always." 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 59 He said these things while teaching in the meeting place in Capernaum. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 60 Many among his disciples heard this and said, "This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow." 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 61 Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, "Does this throw you completely? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 62 What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 63 The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 64 But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this." (Jesus knew from the start that some weren't going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father." 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 66 After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 67 Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: "Do you also want to leave?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." 69 We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God."

Are you feasting on the entire Word of God-Logos and Rheama? Stop settling for warmed up, second-hand bread. Be nurtured by the entire Word of God!

In the grip of Papa’s love letter; the Bible! Ron Ross