Beating the Drum (Part 3)

Yep, I'm still beating that drum: we need to study the Bible! Today we consider briefly a third reason we each need our daily dose of God's Word.
Reason #3: Scripture is Absolutely Essential to our Spiritual Growth
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4, ESV)
I'm sure I've said this before, but I'm a big fan and ardent supporter of eating. I just love it. Even as I write this post my stomach is rumbling for its next meal. I can't imagine living without food…in fact I wouldn't live without food (though I could probably live on a little less). Our bodies are designed to need the fuel which food provides.
In the same way, God has designed us to be dependent upon the fuel of God's Word. Simply put, there can be no genuine, lasting spiritual growth lest we partake of the scriptures for ourselves. I highlighted those last words lest we think that Sunday's sermon or a Christian radio program can give us the spiritual sustenance we need. However important they are, they can only take us so far. We are to "long" for the spiritual "milk" of God's Word so that we can grow into spiritual maturity (1 Peter 2:2). If we wish to be equipped to fight sin and trained in righteousness, we need to remember that such virtues will not appear out of thin air (2 Tim 3:16-17). They come about as the Holy Spirit works in your life, using the truth you have gleaned from Bible study.
It is work, to be sure. It takes time away from something else. But the rewards are eternal and supremely gratifying. Not because you have something to brag about or to add to your spiritual resume, but because you will have spent time communing with the most high God and feasting at his bountiful table. And that is far better than any meal I can think of.
To be continued...