Applying the Bible to Our Lives: Motivation

It takes some motivation to exercise, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, the operating the remote control doesn’t work for exercise; you have to get off the couch and do something. Chocolate might be worth getting off the couch for, don’t you think?

By this point, we’ve learned how to study the Bible and meditate on it, which really implants God’s Word deep into our lives. As James says, “Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (James 1:21). This word implanted in our lives is an expression of deeply knowing God’s Word and experiencing it through doing it.

Paul encouraged Titus to teach others to obey God’s Word so “they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way” (Titus 2:10). That doesn’t mean Christianity is something we put on to wear to church because it looks good. (Unfortunately, there are people who do that!) That’s like wearing an expensive jogging suit that has never been sweaty. (People do that, too!)

When it comes to the Bible, a lot of our motivation problem has to do with relevance. Many people feel that much of the Bible is not relevant for their lives. We wonder, What does that have to do with me? When the answer is not apparent, it is easy to lose interest and close the Bible.

How do we find relevance in the Bible? After all, certain portions of the Bible seem like ancient history that could seem archaic, out-of-date, and out-of-touch with contemporary society.

I tend to believe people find relevance in the Bible by first doing the things that are obvious and clear. Rather than focusing on the parts we don’t understand and using them as an excuse to reject the whole thing or let ourselves off the hook from obeying any of it, we would do well to put to good use what we do understand.

I’ve found that obeying parts of the Bible, especially the parts that stretch me beyond my comfort zone, excites me enough to want to try more. It whets the appetite and creates a craving. Obedience quickens the pulse and prepares the heart for more activity. Think of it like a warm-up.

Moreover, obeying what you know the Bible asks of you keeps you from sin: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17).

A person cannot live with a total disregard for exercise and suddenly expect to find motivation to get off the couch, get sweaty, and experience pain.

Likewise, a person cannot live with a total disregard for obeying God’s Word and suddenly expect to find motivation to get off the couch and get sweaty for God, so to speak. Obedience takes some effort.

We hear God’s Word, but we aren’t really listening if we refuse to act on it: “You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen” (Isaiah 42:20).

This hits close to home for all of us. We all have areas where we are reluctant to obey God’s Word. That’s just the reality of growing as a Christian. As we grow, we will find it easier to obey in more areas. But growth is important. That’s why we need to stretch ourselves.