Hosanna Restoration Church

Do we realize the importance of the things that God gives us in His word? That sounds like a silly question I know, but really how instant are we when it comes to God’s word? We may have certain parts that we particularly like and feel like we have a handle on, and therefore we may insist that others grasp it like we do, but are we personally instant about the whole Word of God?

Paul told Timothy to teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Paul knew how important they were and he wanted to make sure that everyone tuned in. As I thought about this, the first person that I had to check was myself. I write a lot of notes all over my Bible but I do not believe I have ever written, “Roger I insist that you get this!” Now all of my notes may imply it is important for me to remember and consider things, but there is a difference between that and insisting that I learn it.

As a pastor it is always my goal to share what God wants us to hear. The very fact that God has a word for us should in itself emphasize the importance of receiving and applying it, but the truth is we can hear it and let it slide off without receiving one little bit of it.

For instance, Paul started the chapter warning that people would be deceived and turn away from the truth. We read things like things and think, “that is too bad. How could they? I never will.” We may even ask God to never let us do such a thing, but what are we willing to do in order to make sure.

In many instances, Christians spend a tremendous amount of time considering and arguing over things that really are a waste of time and do nothing to strengthen their faith. Paul says to spend our time and energy training ourselves for spiritual fitness. He says that physical training has value, but the spiritual is most important. If we are spiritually fit, I believe we will be challenged to be physically fit as well. However it is possible for people to be very physically fit and care nothing for their spiritual health. In fact many physical fitness gurus are easily deceived looking to the wrong place for spiritual energy.

The bottom line is that Paul, Timothy, you, or I can insist as much as we want that someone else learn the truth, but in the end it will still be the individuals choice. As always, we decide each day whom we will serve. We decide if we are going to receive the Word of God and insist to ourselves that we make it part of our lives.

All of us have things that we insist on but, are we insisting on the most important thing?