Put It Into Practice

As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” [Luke 11.27-28]

Hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice are the two most important things a person can do. Pretty much everything the Bible teaches is summed up in these action items.

Hearing the Word of God is pretty simple to understand. However, what does putting it into practice look like? Good question!

The key to understanding the Word of God is found in the following:

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [John 1.14]

For as much as we would like to academically understand God's Word through reading it, there is a better way. Jesus said this:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]

If we fail to understand Jesus, we have failed to understand God's Word. And, if we fail to understand God's Word, there is simply no way to effectively put it into practice!

Jesus said this:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

So, what do we put into practice? Jesus. And, what does putting Jesus in practice look like?

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” [John 11.2-6]

Jesus pointed out the criteria for recognizing Him. If He is then to be recognized in us, it will be by the exact same criteria!

I am not making this stuff up! I am simple acknowledging what the Bible has said all along but man has excused himself from being responsible for.

Hear the Word of God: Jesus. Put it into practice: Jesus.

Father, forgive me for all the religious stuff I have engaged in in lieu of simply learning of, and acting like, Jesus.