We enter this world with a sinful nature.  As we grow older, this sinful life deteriorates and sin taunts you.  The strength of sin manifests itself in your daily life: It becomes evident when you often quarrel with people around you, envy those who are promoted, hate your colleagues, when you are selfish, lack wisdom in relating to people and to work and in managing your family, etc.  You are bonded to sin and do not have peace in your heart, lack wisdom to differentiate important priorities from secondary matters.  However, when you trust Jesus as your Savior, God gives you a new life which is holy, incorruptible—God’s eternal life.  This life then works in your inner life and produces life.  As a result, you have strength to combat and overcome sin and be victorious.  This warrior called “sin” has been defeated when Jesus died on the cross.  This warrior has surrendered.  However, he still fights a guerilla warfare.  Thus, when Christians are not careful, he will attempt to hurt you and even to bring you once again into bondage.

What then gives a Christian strength to combat and overcome sin?  “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9); “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4:12)

Only the word of God can change us from within.  Like a seed when planted can generate life, when you work hard at God’s Word, it can grow in your life, flower and produce fruits.

Thus, when I see a Christian who does not work hard at God’s Word, I worry as a pastor because I know that he will not grow.  Thus, before knowing the Lord, he lives a corrupt life, after he knows the Lord, he changes but that change is minimal.  Two years later, he still does not understand spiritual truths and his life is still spiritually immature.  Neither does he understand a spiritual man’s decision.  In fact, he may even challenge a spiritual man’s wisdom and feel his is right over against a spiritual person.  Before he know Jesus, he is quarrelsome.  After knowing Jesus, he improves but minimally and he stops growing.  To make matters worse, as the spiritual life is like a boat that travels against the current, he may even return to his previous corrupt self.

Jesus says: “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned … If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  This passage explains the meaning of not abiding in Christ: it is “my words [do] not abide in you.”  Christ means what he says.  He has already warned you and it will be fulfilled in those who do not work hard at God’s Word.  Such people will not bear fruit. His life will not be abundant, neither will his testimony glorify God.  God will not use you.

Dear Christians, especially leaders, including committee members, Sunday School teachers, your service is thoroughly spiritual.  How can you not work hard at God’s Word?  If an ordinary Christian attends a bible class and reads a book, you must work harder than he does.  Christians, for every passing year, you must ensure that you know your bible and truth better than last year, that you are a better doer of God’s Word, have a heart that loves the Lord more, are spiritually wiser than last year.  Every Christian must humble himself and thirst after God’s Word.  This is for your soul’s sake.  Then you will enjoy abundant life and the Lord can use you in greater ways.