Are you content with where you are spiritually? Do you think you have arrived? If you do, you view yourself much higher than Paul ever thought of himself. Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians 3:12). We all need to press forward. We all need to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Savior” (2 Peter 3:12). So, our theme this week will be growing in Christ. Hopefully, we will all be encouraged by various passages in the Word of God to continue in an upward path toward spiritual perfection. Tonight, we want to look at growing in Christ by diligent Bible study.

Words cannot express how blessed we are to have the Word of God in written form. Paul reminded the Jews that their chief advantage was that they had the oracles of God (Romans 3:2). Indeed, having the Bible to direct and guide us in the will of God is still one of our greatest advantages over Satan, sin, and the world. The Bible is a road map to heaven. We should readily receive it because it has the power to save our souls (Romans 1:16; James 1:21).

None of us can grow in Christ without the Word of God. The Word is one of the primary means of our faith (Roman 10:17), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). But, for the Word to have a positive impact in our lives, we must diligently study it. To do anything with diligence is to do it with energetic application, and that begins with desire. Strong tells us that the word diligence points, not only to speed and swiftness, but to eagerness. To study God’s Word we must desire God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2). Desiring God’s Word should not be a problem for those of us who are Christians. The Word does so much for us that to not love and desire it is self-defeating. The Bible gives us all the tools we need to excel as Christians. We have all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:3), knowledge that is found only in the Word of God.

The Word gives us access to God’s mind. It tells is what God desires and what is an abomination to Him. It tells us how He wants to be worshipped and what kind of spiritual work He wants us to do. How could we know these things unless God tells us? This was Paul’s point to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). We know the very thoughts of God because the Spirit of God revealed them to the apostles, and the apostles have revealed them to us (1Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 3:3-4). We do not have to guess about what the will of God is, we can be faithful doers of it because we know exactly what it is. This is very fortunate since we cannot be saved without doing God’s will (Matthew 7:21). Where is it that we find God’s will expressed? The only place to find original content that comes from the mind of God is the Bible. Is this not motivation to desire the Word of God?

Speaking of original content, the Bible is full of it. Burning questions that man has are answered in the Bible. From where did man come? The Bible tells us (Genesis 1:26-27). What happens to man when he dies? The Bible tells us (Luke 16:19-23). What is the final destination for man? Again, the Bible tells us (John 5:28-29). We know the origin of the universe (Genesis 1), the fate of this earth (2 Peter 3:10), and the living conditions of both heaven and hell (Revelation 21:4; Matthew 8:12), all because of information given to us in the Bible. The Bible is full of the wisdom of God, the plans of God, and the blessings of God. Why would we not desire it? Do you study the Bible consistently? The answer to that question will answer the question, are you growing in Christ? You cannot have the latter without the former.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.