How The Bible Shapes Us | James 1:18-21

Introduction: What Is Your Relationship With This Book?

When you consider this book, what is your relationship with it like?

A book you know you probably should read more but it does not get much of your time.
Hard to understand.
Maybe if you are really honest, some of us would say: I don’t care about that book.

We hear so much about Bible reading and quiet times. Why?
What is so special about this book? Does it have any power?

James 1:18–21

I want to give you a fresh vision for your Bible by looking at three questions:
Does the Word have power?
How do we approach the Word?
What are the effects of God’s powerful Word in our life?

1. Does the Word Have Power?

Why do you read it?

Because I think I should.
Because if I don’t, I feel guilt.
Because my pastor tells me to.

Notice what James says:

By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth.

The Bible has power to remake you.
By His own choice, he gave us birth by what? The word of truth.

If you are a Christian, you believe that this book has power to remake your heart.
That you were once dead in your sins.
But when you heard the good news of Jesus and trusted Him, he granted you to be born again with a new heart.

In Gospel of John 1, Jesus is referred to as the Word. The self expression of God.

Look at verse 21:

Humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

The word of God saves you and makes you new, and the word of God sustains this new life in you.
It’s your spiritual oxygen.
It’s what is going to continue to shape you and make you closer and closer into the image of Christ.

2. How Should We Approach the Word?

Humbly receive the implanted word.

The Word has power. How ought we to approach it? Humbly. Meekly.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

If you want to see the true temperature of your humility, ask yourself:
Do I listen?
Am I slow to speak?
Am I slow to anger?

There is a dual relationship between how we approach other people and how we approach the Bible.
We can’t expect to be selfish out in the world and then come to the Bible and approach it with humility.

Approach it with open hands.
Go to it with you under it.
Allow the scriptures to read and search you.

When imperfect people meet the perfect word of God, we either change it or we allow it to change us.

One way we approach the Bible with humility is through meditation.

Pick one thing.
One verse, one truth, and try to hold onto that during your day.
Pray over it. Process it with God.

3. What Are the Effects?

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword.
Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is alive.

It will read you.

From Gospel of Luke 7, Jesus says, the one who is forgiven little, loves little.

The Spirit brings back the word you read.
The sharp word cuts your heart in a way that is needed.
The word, like a hot iron, melts the ice of your heart.

The alive Word will feed, encourage, convict, fuel, challenge, comfort, build up.

When you are going through trials, it can offer endurance.
When you feel heavy with guilt, God can speak words of love and forgiveness.
When you feel anxious, God can remind you of peace.

The Bible has power. The question is, do you allow it to have power in your life?