Never in history has there been less of an excuse to know God’s Word and fill your mind with sound teaching and doctrine. Television, radio, books, magazines, and, of course, the internet provide endless hours of teaching that no single person could ever exhaust in a lifetime. So, if you are not growing daily in the Lord, I have to ask, what’s your excuse?
The only thing keeping anyone from growing deeper in their faith is their choosing not to. We all choose how we will spend our time, and if you aren’t choosing God or His Word, what are you choosing? Will you be comfortable with your answer when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)?
I’m finding it harder every day to choose to occupy my time with anything other than God. This isn’t because I’m some sort of “Super Christian,” because I’m not. I struggle living a holy life in this sin-sick world just like you (Romans 7:15–25). But the more I study the Word of God, the more time I spend in prayer, the more I fall in love with Jesus. And the more I fall in love with my Savior, the less I want to think about anyone or anything else. Your experience may be the same, and if it isn’t, I encourage you to pick up your Bible and dig in. Don’t just read the words; slow down and study it with intention, asking God to reveal Himself through His Word (Psalm 119:18).
Almost every person reading this owns a Bible, so if you aren’t reading it, what’s your excuse? Is it that you don’t have time? If that’s your excuse, I’ll bet you have time to scroll through social media feeds, watch movies or TV, play games, or hang out with friends, don’t you? We make time for what is most important to us (Matthew 6:21). Don’t read this as promoting any sort of legalism. There are no direct commands about how long or often you should read your Bible or pray. I’m not suggesting a rigid rule for you to follow or condemning you if you don’t. I am only asking if you aren’t as close to or as knowledgeable of God as you want to be, what’s your excuse?
We live in an age where you can consume content in your preferred manner. Not a reader? You can listen to an audiobook or watch a video. Hate video like I do? Read a book, and I recommend The Book. There is no end to uplifting and beneficial content or ways to consume it. You bear the responsibility, however, to choose to engage with it. You must desire Christ more than the trivial fancies of this world (Colossians 3:1–2; 1 John 2:15).
If you are struggling in your walk with the Lord, let me encourage you to pick up your Bible. Grab a notebook, a study Bible, and maybe even a commentary while you’re at it. If you will take the time to study the Word of God, I promise you, it will change you. You cannot hear the words of the Almighty Creator God and walk away unchanged (Hebrews 4:12). It may not happen in one sitting or even two, but stick with it. God desires to be known by you (Jeremiah 29:13), and you are as close to God as you want to be. If you’re not choosing to grow, what’s your excuse?