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Pastor's Blog September 3, 2020
"The Privilege of Prayer I"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
Last week I addressed the temptation Adventists tend to face in reading the Bible: either treating it as an opportunity to get to know Jesus, or as a magical totem to produce a change in behavior. At that time, I pointed out that the primary reason to read the Bible is to get to know Jesus. You will only hear Jesus speaking to you in the Bible if you read it to get to know Jesus, and all other reasons will result in the Bible being just another book to you.
But in getting to know Jesus, how does the Savior effect life-change in you and me, and what role does the Bible play in this? Ellen provides us with some insightful and helpful perspective on this question. In "Steps to Christ," she points out, "The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now?" (61; 1977 edition).
According to Ellen, as we think upon "the perfections of the Saviour," a desire begins to grow in us "to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity" (61). Studying a biblical passage in order to understand "its relation to the plan of salvation" is of the highest value and will yield tremendous results (62).
But why is this? It is because you are reading the Bible to get to know Jesus better, by praying for the Holy Spirit to exalt and show Jesus to you, to help you understand Jesus more, to enable you to more humbly give yourself to Jesus, and to cause your life to flow from Jesus, the fountain of life (62-63). If you do not desire to see the Bible's "beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning," which is Jesus, then you will not benefit from reading the Scriptures and will have missed its true treasure: fellowship with Jesus (62).
When we read the Bible for the purpose of reflecting on Jesus' love and mercy, thinking about his great sacrifice for us, and meditating upon his character and saving mission, we will find our prayers becoming more fervent because our love and faith in God will become stronger: "there will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in His power to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him" (61).
Friends, this is why you should "fill the whole heart with the words of God" (60).
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 11— The Privilege of Prayer, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
