Actually this should be called Thursday Pulpit because it was stirred up at the Wednesday evening service. The pastor has been going through a series on basic beliefs. The emphasis on this occasion was the place of scripture.
About half way through he said something that made me want to say, “I knew that.” True, but I had not stopped to consider it. I don’t know if they were his words or a quote from a book he was using. Either way it is not original to me. He said we “should regard the study of Scripture as a means of grace like baptism or the Eucharist.” We don’t look at the sacraments as means of grace like they do in the Catholic church but I understood what he meant.
When we study the Word it opens doors for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, minds and souls. It becomes an avenue of grace. This clicked in for me. This is why my morning times of worship and study have been such a blessing to me. It is not an empty ritual, it is a “means of grace.”
I like that.
homo unius libri
Furthermore, you might say that it's a commandment, ("Study to show yourself approved").
ReplyDeleteI'm in full agreement. How else could the Lord speak to us, soften our hearts.
ReplyDeleteGeorges,
ReplyDeleteBaptism and communion are commanded. It seems like study is also. I guess that might be an indication that they will open us to God's touch.
Phillip,
I like that. Grace softens our hearts. Another one of those, "I knew that" moments. Keep them coming I need all the reminders I can get.
Grace and peace.