Study 5: How do I apply this stuff? 

Whilst the Bible was written in a certain context and at a certain time, the good news of Jesus and the truth of the Bible can be applied to our lives every day. You might read about a battle in the Bible or a moment of brutality and to be fair, that’s not easy to directly apply to your life, and I don’t think we are always suggesting we try.

We can see themes of grace, mercy, justice, hope, peace, love and more throughout the Bible as we read it and trust it in our lives. The Bible is described as being living and active, ‘living oracles of Jesus’ as the Archbishop of Canterbury once said to the Queen on bent knee (In the UK for our overseas readers!).

What I have discovered as I read it is that the Bible is living and seeks places to be built in. If we allow the Bible to speak into our lives, to form foundations in our head and heart its truth about Jesus and the rescue mission will literally transform you. I can’t really explain it better, but I am experiencing it. Through the storms and the calm seas, the Bible and its truth have sustained me. It challenges my attitude to every area in my life too, things like; generosity, forgiveness, patience, love, kindness, compassion, honesty, integrity, holiness and so much more.

The Bible will shape and calibrate your compass because it is living and active. It will even challenge you and at times that can be an uncomfortable process. You might be reading that and think ‘mate, it’s a book? What are you on about?’

Trust me, read it, be honest and spend some time with the gospels, and see if you see Jesus for yourself.  What also happens is that as God helps us read it and apply it to our lives, it can be described as ‘revelation.’ God reveals this stuff to us through the Holy Spirit. OK, I know, I’ve started talking about something else, we will come around to discovering more about the Holy Spirit in other studies, so hold on. 

It is worth also saying here that a Christian community is really helpful in wrestling with and learning from the Bible. Find a local church to be part of and take your questions to them, it’s good to have lots of questions, I’ve got loads, so get plugged in and involved, it really will help you. You can also get alongside someone else and read it together too, it really will speak into your life if you let it.