I love reading the Bible and have read it from cover to cover countless times. My fascination with Scripture began when my friend, Tags, showed me how Jesus is present throughout the Old Testament. This passion, which has grown over time, led me to pursue a Master of Divinity with a specialization in Biblical studies. After years of study, however, I finally understood Solomon’s proverb, “For in much wisdom is much sorrow, and he who increases knowledge increases grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18) The more I tried to rely on my own understanding and capture God within the box of my mind, the more Tylenol I needed for my headaches! It’s no wonder people have debated the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ for centuries!

What I’ve learned most profoundly, and what I believe Solomon would agree with, is that there’s a vast chasm between knowing about God and knowing Him personally. How tragically sad to possess exhaustive knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, correct doctrine, and tradition, yet lack an intimate relationship with Jesus. To know what the Bible says but be unable to hear His word in your heart. The Bible isn’t about accumulating knowledge of God and attempting to decipher Him; it’s about knowing Jesus, heeding His voice, and living it out—or, as the Argentines say, hacerlo carne, which means “to make it incarnate” in our daily lives. The Word became flesh.

There are three essential components to consider when engaging with the Bible. Two of these are areas in which we often excel, while the third is an area for growth. The first two are context and content. We must understand who wrote the text, when it was written, to whom it was written, and why it was written before we can focus on what was written. This is something we generally understand and dedicate much attention to in our gatherings. The third component is the call to action, or our response to what we’ve read. Context, Content, and Call to Action.

The Bible urges us to act upon its teachings. For example, James 1:22 (NIV) states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Similarly, Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

In our Christian circles, we often emphasize “application,” which typically involves extracting wisdom from Scripture and applying it to our lives. However, instead of merely extracting wisdom, I believe our call to action should always involve entering into the narrative and reality presented in the Bible. It’s not just about asking, “What can I get out of this?” but rather, “How can I be a part of this?” and “How can I participate in what King Jesus is doing today?”

Recently, the Lord brought Malachi 3:16-18 to my attention, speaking deeply to my heart: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. ‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’”  

Do you believe God is writing your story, just as He did for Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, Mary, and the Apostles? Imagine, for a moment, the New Jerusalem and the Great Library at the heart of the City of God, filled with all kinds of books and scrolls of remembrance. Picture yourself discovering a scroll with your name on it and opening it to read aloud. What would the Author of Life write about you? Would He recount that you did what was righteous or evil in His sight? Did you act boldly in faith, or did you cower before men? Did you walk in the power of the Spirit, or did you rely on your own strength and understanding? Would He write about you at all?

The Bible is not merely a book of knowledge about God and wisdom to learn from; it is a living story we are invited to enter. Not as passive observers, but as active participants in the unfolding narrative of God’s redemptive grace through Faith in Action. I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to meditate on the Word until miracles, divine healings, exorcisms, and resurrection become tangible realities for you! Dwell in it and absorb it. Use Scripture to guide your prayer life. If something seems unfamiliar or unusual, ask the Lord to help you see things from His perspective. Allow your viewpoint to be shaped by the Word, rather than attempting to bend the Word to fit your own traditions. Although our cultural context differs from that of biblical times, the Kingdom of God remains steadfast forever!

One statement from Jesus that sends shivers down my spine is, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40) Here, Jesus spoke directly to the Pharisees, who were deeply learned in the Scriptures and believed their extensive knowledge would grant them eternal life. However, Jesus pointed out the tragic irony: they were missing the very essence of the Scriptures, which was to lead them to Him.

Let’s not make that mistake, “Martha-ing” through the Bible to check off our spiritual to-do list! Come, and like Mary, sit at Jesus’ feet, delight in every beautiful word He says, and don’t forget: hacerlo carne.

Painting by Philippe de Champaigne (1645-1650) “Saint Augustine.” Lectio Divina– the practice of reading Scripture, meditating on it, praying through it, seeking communion with God.