originally written for ASHM in December 2008
I must confess that I’ve always been a bit of a nerd. I love to learn and often spend hours pouring over the Bible and looking up words in their original languages. However, over the past year I believe the goal for my learning curve has been application not revelation. I’ve felt led to focus on applying God’s Word to my life instead of simply looking for revelations from His Word.
During Canon Holbeck’s recent visit the idea of applying what we learned from his Biblical teachings was emphasized often. I’ve come to realize that I can study and listen to people speak about living a Christian life, but until I make the effort to apply what I’m learning I could be missing the mark completely.
During some quiet time I came across this commonly referenced Scripture:
James 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (KJV)
“Hearers only” comes from the Greek word akroates. In classical Greek times this word was used to describe people who audited a class rather than taking it for credit. In other words they wanted to get the “head knowledge”, but they really weren’t interested in applying what they learned. Having recently been a college student I can tell you that for the price they charge for a class there would be no way I would pay to simply audit a class! Yet, so often I sit in a Healing Service and have an “ah ha” moment about a life changing revelation that would benefit my life and I never take the next step to apply it to my circumstances. Why do I do that?
Matthew Henry’s commentary on James 1:22 encourages Christians to apply what we learn:
But in vain do we hear God’s word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away …and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it. This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought. In hearing the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it turns to our spiritual life.
Don Jaeger, in his workshops on healing, always reminds people that “We are participants in our healing.” Jesus desires us to be involved in the healing process (e.g. prayer). I think one way we can do this is to apply what we hear in teachings and sermons to our lives. God doesn’t say, “Go audit the teachings and sermons.” He wants us to involve ourselves – be a participant- in the teachings and sermons, learn, and apply them to our healing walk.
I invite you to join me in this adventure of application. A good place to begin this adventure is at the Healing Service on Tuesday evenings. Why not start applying what the Lord reveals to you, personally, during these services. I know that I want to receive all of the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional healing the Lord has to offer. I believe that the more I participate, by applying what He is teaching, the more open I will be to receiving all that Jesus longs to do in my life! I look to the future with the hope and expectation of the next chance I get to “be a doer of the word!”
Until next time blessings and healing