This weekend, I got to participate in an effort, with a group of Christians in my community, to read the scripture out loud in the public – in this case on the grounds of the Courthouse in my small town.
The outcome of this experience impacted me deeply. There wasn’t a huge turn-out. It wasn’t exciting in the traditional way. There weren’t a lot of amazing pictures to post on social media; it didn’t cause a buzz; there weren’t any protests.
Very simply, a small group of believers took turns using a microphone to read through entire books of the Bible for anyone within nearby earshot to hear. No balloons. Just the Word.
I’m not surprised exactly – but I am basking in the awesomeness of a beautiful truth – that the words of the Bible, shared openly, impact lives.
I think that every single person who was involved has expressed how deeply and personally they were impacted by this simple exercise. And almost every single one has said, “We have to do this again!”
No devotional. No preaching. No 3 points and an altar call. Just the words of truth already provided to us by our loving Father God: the sufficient scripture described in 2 Timothy 3:16:
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work..
I could type forever and not successfully describe the truth of those words that was demonstrated. Before we did it, I had said, “I believe that God’s word speaks for itself.” Ironically, there was a the slightest hint of doubt in the words, “I believe.” And now, I can say without hedging . . . “The word of God speaks for itself.” Or better yet, “It is clear that God speaks for Himself in His word.”
Here’s my call to action: don’t let the world convince you that the scripture is inadequate. Speak His word without hedging, “for the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12], and you can count on it!