In his final words to the Ephesian elders, Paul makes several statements I would like to highlight:
- Acts 20:27 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
- Acts 20:29-30 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
- Acts 20:32 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
In this short passage (10 verses) Paul is giving his “last will and testament” to these leaders…and he brings up one topic three times: the Word of God.
Yes, the Bible is that important in life. We must spend time reading God’s word, but also letting it “read” us. The Bible is not something to be examined from a distance. It is like the window in my office. When I look from a distance through that window I see a bush. But if I walk up to the window and look through, there is so much more than just shrubbery. I see green grass, blue skies, trees, hills, fences, cattle, roads, farmers, the city.
The more the word works in us, the closer we get to the window…the better we can see the wonderful world God made as it really is – as God sees it. Don’t settle for a distant glance.
