“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers...”

-James 1:22

The beginning of a new year is a good time to renew your commitment to building your life around the Word of God. Studying the Scriptures without allowing them to penetrate and permeate your life will result in spiritual coldness. If a person knows the Word but does not let it change him, he becomes spiritually weak and ineffective in the cause for Christ. Living out what we learn and appropriating it to our lives will renew our excitement for the Word of God and give greater conviction of sin and greater concern for others who need the Savior. Not applying the Word to our lives makes the study of the Word academic, and our spiritual life becomes anemic. It has been said, "Apply yourself wholly to the text, and apply the text wholly to yourself." In 2023 prove yourself to be a doer of the Word of God. Be encouraged!

Scripture References: James 1:22; John Albert Bengel (1742)