As we press toward the goal in order to make it to heaven, the Word of God must be a central part of our lives.  The truth is, without it, we cannot go forward.  Pressing on toward the goal involves doing the will of God and His will can only be found in one place—the Bible.  So, none of us can press on toward the goal without the Word of God.

To press toward the goal, you must make a habit of studying the Word of God.  In our last blog, I emphasized the importance of allowing God’s Word to dwell in our hearts, referring to the importance of filling our minds with the Word of God.  This is how we accomplish that—by training ourselves to study the Bible routinely and diligently.

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 also to eagerness.  To study God’s Word, we must desire God’s Word.

1 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

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.

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

What is the medium through which God gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness?  The verse itself gives us a hint.  Peter said that those things come “through the knowledge of Him.” Where is that knowledge found?  It is found in the Word of God.  Diligently studying the Bible, then, is not only essential to obtaining the things that pertain to life and godliness but also a part of pressing toward the goal.

Are you pressing toward the goal?  Do you make a habit of studying the Bible?  Both questions have the same answer.  If you answer no to the question of Bible study, then the answer to pressing toward the goal is no as well.  The one involves the other.  As I have said, to be pressing toward the goal, you must study your Bible, but if are studying your Bible habitually, you are mostly likely pressing toward the goal.  So, if you are not already, plan to study your Bible as often as you can.  Pick a regular time to do it, stick with it, and keep on pressing.

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