HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN (PART 2)
TEXT:
"Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (Luke 8 verse 12, King James Version).
One of the greatest hindrances to Christian effectiveness and fruitfulness is the lack of understanding of the Word of God. Understanding God's Word is a life time investment. It doesn't just happen as some think. It takes a lot of effort to understand God's Word. Your mind has to be made up for this!
In the Scripture reading for today, which is taken from the parable of the sower, we see the kind of person who has no understanding of the Word of God. This case is typified by the situation where the seed fell by the wayside. It primarily relates to someone who hears God's Word and it means nothing to him, then the devil comes to steal it away from him. Truth is, if you desire to be effective and fruitful in your Christian experience, you've got to make cognitive and cogent efforts to have an understanding of the Word of God.
I've always taught people that the one who wants to grow and become effective and fruitful in God's Kingdom should relate to the Bible in five different ways. First, you read it searchingly (John 5 verse 39). Second, you study it (2nd Timothy 2 verse 15). Third, you meditate on it (Joshua 1 verse 8, Psalms 1 verse 2). Four, you memorize it (1st Corinthians 15 verse 2). Fifth, you do the Word (James 1 verse 22, Romans 2 verse 13). The primary aim of going through these five approaches with the Word of God is to ensure that it's fully grafted in your heart. We know that satan cannot steal the Word from us if we hide it in our hearts (Psalms 119 verse 11).
One of the ways to understand God's Word is to acquaint yourself with the varying available translations or versions of the Bible. It's an error, for example, to limit yourself to the King James Version, though it happens to be my favourite version. Another way is to listen to tapes, video clips and read books of Spirit filled ministers of the Gospel. Besides, endeavour to attend Word based seminars, conferences and symposiums in order to broaden and increase your Word base. Further, don't imitate those who merely listen to Bible expositions, who's habit it is not to write down what they hear. Go to Church with a jotter and a pen to put down for future use what you hear. A lot of believers' stagnation in the faith is caused by this nonchalance and incuriosity. Dare to be wise like the Jews of Berea as opposed to those of Thessalonica (Acts 17 verses 10 to 11).
As you allow the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly (Colossians 3 verse 16), soon, its effect will begin to show forth in your life for others to behold. The Bible says in 1st Timothy 4 verse 15,
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
This is so because, as the Bible says, the Word of God "bringeth forth fruit" (Colossians 1 verse 6) and it "effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1st Thessalonians 2 verse 13). Having a good relationship with the Word is the only way to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5 verse 16).
If you are not experiencing the good life that Jesus died to give you, then, begin to give the Word of God the priority it deserves and shortly, you'll begin to experience effectiveness and fruitfulness in life, in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Lord, as I embrace Your Word, give me understanding of it that I might put it to work in my life, in Jesus name.