The Bible is such a powerful book. It has the ability to change your whole life. But it can only do this if you act on it. If all you do is read it or listen to it preached, your life won’t change. You will find yourself still faced with the same problems in your character, relationships and life; and you’ll wonder why. It’s because you haven’t acted on the Word!
By acting on the words in the Bible you release the power of God in your life; a power that can change it. But the question is are you acting on the Word of God?
Are You Acting on the Word of God?
How often do you read the Bible in a day? Once, twice, three times? For how long? Five minutes, thirty minutes, an hour? Great! Now how often do you act on what you have read in that time? Or after reading, do you just forget the words and go about your day as normal?
Reading the Bible is great but so is acting on it.
We are told to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) Do you see the word only? James doesn’t say that there is anything wrong with hearing the Word BUT, we are also supposed to be act on it.
You see, the stories and instructions in the Bible are not there just to be read. We are supposed to apply the principles in them to our own lives. When you act on the Word, your character will change, the way you act towards others, the way you think and the list goes on.
The Bible is the one book in the world that really has the power to transform you. But it can only do that if you act on it.
What Happens When You Act on the Word
It says in Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Emphasis mine)
And then in James 1:25 (ESV)
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (Emphasis mine)
Both these verses urge us to act and do what it says in the Word. And what is the outcome of acting and doing what it says in the Bible? Blessing, prosperity and good success. That’s what happens when you start applying the principles in the Bible to your life.
When you act on commandments that say, honour your mother and father, (Ephesians 6:2-3) be kind to one another, forgiving one another, (Ephesians 4:31) be a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and many more besides, you will begin to see the fruits of those actions in your life.
The Fruit You Bear When You Act on the Word
Once you start making an effort to act on the Word, you will see the way it improves your life. The fruit you bear will be so sweet. You will see peace and unity begin to flourish between you and those around you.
As you follow God’s way of doing things and not your own, the things you used to find difficult will be easier. Your own mind will be filled with peace. You will also grow in understanding of what it means to be a Christian. You will become someone who is led by the Spirit. When you act on the Word, you will be a bigger blessing to people than you ever thought you could be.
All of this happens when you simply decide to take God’s Word seriously, and do what it says.
Here’s a Challenge
So now that you know that acting on the Bible is very important, here is a challenge. This week, after reading your daily verse or scripture, go out and act on what it says.
If it tells you to commit your works to the Lord (Psalm 37:5), or encourages you to bless those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44), or if it urges you to be thankful in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18), do that. Then, continue doing that.
Continue acting on those commands and applying them to your life, as you are led by the Spirit.
You won’t get it perfect and you won’t always do what you are supposed to. But that’s okay, try again next time. None of us are perfect yet. But like Paul encourages us, we must just press on knowing that our prize is the upward call of God. (Philippians 3:12-14)
The important thing is to take those first steps and actually do what it says in the Bible. So start acting on the Word and see how it starts to change your life.
