Application of The Word
In my years since receiving the gift of salvation from my Lord, I have learned and observed many things, both for my own growth and for the teaching of others. In this writing, I will try to expound on a topic of this blessed education.
As we read, attend church and Sunday school, or converse, I think it prudent to ask, “How often do I contemplate the application and understanding of God’s Word in my personal life?” If we are not thinking about how the Word of God applies or how we can apply it, then we are not reaping the most benefit from the Word.
I will absolutely acknowledge there is power in the Word and can relate several verses that prove that, but since this is a personal relationship, am I relating the Word to my life circumstances and am I forming my thoughts around what the Word of God teaches? Yes, I understand this is a very deep thing to talk about, but it is also very important.
When we hear or read the Word, it has little effect if we will not take the time to contemplate its application in our daily life and a given situation. It is extremely beneficial to know God’s Holy Word and extremely helpful to understand its use in our lives. Being able to apply God’s Word to our situations and our daily walk is growth, and growth is progression.
The Scripture teaches us to be “holy as He is holy.” Without the wisdom to comprehend the use of the Word we can never achieve even a bit of holiness. John said, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” We are also taught that Jesus was the living Word—the embodiment of the Holy Word. There could be found no fault in Christ because He lived a sinless life.
He even challenged the Pharisees to find fault in Him and they could not. When they questioned Him on a topic, He spoke the Word of God to them. In the 29th verse of Matthew in the seventh chapter, we are taught that Christ spoke with authority. He spoke with the Authority of God! Speaking with the authority of God is complete application of the Word according to God’s will.
In this troubled world there is no lack of opportunity for the application of the Word and no lack of need for it to be utilized. It confounds my mind that anyone could possibly believe that this world would not be a far better place if the teachings of the Bible were applied.
In the past several years, I have lived so many things I have read about in the scripture. I have been tried, tested, hated, hindered, tempted, afflicted, and troubled. I count it all blessings. You may ask why. Well, I will tell you this way: I have read of Job. I have read of Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and many others.
I have learned of how fear and selfishness hinder and still God’s direction in a man’s life. I have been hated for speaking truth and speaking my understanding of the truth. I count this all blessing because my Lord and His Apostles were hatred for speaking and teaching truth. The Prophets were despised for serving God, and so, in my mind, I feel honored to have experienced anything similar to such men.
For reference I will tell you, I have been hated and despised for speaking truth to individuals, to Preachers, and in a church gathering. I mean real truth that is easily corroborated by the Word of God. The reason, I have learned, is that truth flies in the face of false traditions and challenges people in their spirit.
I have been shunned by preachers because the truth in the Word proves their denominational doctrine to be false. Since I have completely sold out to Christ, I have experienced loss, fallen very ill, witnessed great tragedy in our family and in the lives of dear friends, have at times been tempted to feed my flesh in anger and selfishness, fought my thoughts, and struggled with not becoming jaded towards people.
Although everything I have mentioned is true, I have never known such abundance of joy as I have served in the teaching of the application of God’s Holy Word. Yes, the resistance astounds me many times, but as Paul so apply noted, I have found contentment in my service. There is a great comfort in knowing that what you do for the Lord is worthwhile and beneficial.
I know in my heart that if you all will learn to apply the teachings of the Word in your lives you yourselves will know a joy you have never experienced—a joy that exceeds happiness a thousandfold, a joy that comes from within instead of a superficial fleeting happiness we all too often seek in our selfish flesh.
Paul stated in Philippians 3:13 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended it, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
I believe this not only shows Paul’s understanding of the application of the Word but the inward joy that comes from devout service to the Lord. His statement also shows a deep seeking of improvement and desire to learn more and serve more effectively. In James 1:2-3 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
James explains the joy of troubles and the testing we encounter. One important thing to remember is if we are not ever tested or tempted, then we are not doing anything for God!
James 1:22-24 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetting what manner of man he was.”
Many will hear the Word of God and never know it. Many will memorize the Word of God and never apply it, but those who learn to apply the Word of God are able to walk in the will of God.
“A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; He must be loved first and best.”
-Charles Spurgeon
Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple