Committing to Marry the Bible: Cultivating a Lifelong Relationship for Spiritual Growth

Marry the Bible This Year

As we enter a new year, many of us make resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, and spend more time with family and friends. But what about our spiritual habits? Have we considered how we can grow in our relationship with God and become more like Christ?

One of the most important spiritual habits we can cultivate is reading and studying the Bible. The Bible is God's word to us, and it reveals his character, his plan for us, and his love for us. By reading and studying the Bible, we can grow in our knowledge of God, deepen our relationship with him, and become more like him.

Why Marry the Bible?

When we talk about "marrying" the Bible, we're not talking about a literal marriage, of course. Rather, we're talking about making a commitment to the Bible that is similar to the commitment we make in marriage.

When we get married, we make a vow to love and cherish our spouse, to be faithful to them in good times and bad, in sickness and health. We commit ourselves to a lifelong relationship that is built on trust, respect, and love.

In the same way, when we "marry" the Bible, we make a commitment to love and cherish God's word, to be faithful to it in good times and bad, in sickness and health. We commit ourselves to a lifelong relationship with the Bible that is built on trust, respect, and love.

Just as a marriage requires effort and sacrifice, so does our relationship with the Bible. We need to make time for it, study it, and apply it to our lives. We need to be willing to change our habits, our attitudes, and our actions based on what we learn from the Bible.

How to Marry the Bible

So, how do we "marry" the Bible? Here are some practical steps we can take:

1. Make a commitment

The first step in marrying the Bible is to make a commitment to it. Just as we make a commitment to our spouse when we get married, we need to make a commitment to the Bible. This means setting aside time each day to read and study it, and making it a priority in our lives.

It also means being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of our relationship with the Bible. This might mean giving up some of our leisure time, or rearranging our schedule so that we have more time to spend with the Bible.

2. Develop a habit

One of the keys to marrying the Bible is to develop a habit of reading and studying it. Just as we develop habits in other areas of our lives, such as exercise or healthy eating, we need to develop a habit of reading and studying the Bible.

This might mean setting aside a specific time each day to read and study the Bible, or finding a Bible reading plan that works for us. It might also mean finding a Bible study group or accountability partner who can help us stay on track.

3. Study the Bible

Reading the Bible is important, but so is studying it. When we study the Bible, we dig deeper into its meaning and gain a deeper understanding of God's word.

There are many ways to study the Bible, from reading commentaries to attending Bible studies. We can also use tools such as concordances and Bible dictionaries to help us understand the meaning of specific words and phrases.

4. Apply the Bible

The Bible is not just a book to read or study, it is also a book to apply to our lives. When we apply the Bible to our lives, we allow it to transform us and make us more like Christ.

This might mean changing our habits, attitudes, or actions based on what we learn from the Bible. It might also mean sharing what we learn with others and helping them apply the Bible to their lives.

Conclusion

Marriage is a commitment, and so is our relationship with the Bible. By "marrying" the Bible, we make a commitment to love and cherish God's word, to be faithful to it in good times and bad, in sickness and health.

So, as we enter a new year, let's make a commitment to marry the Bible. Let's set aside time each day to read and study it, develop a habit of reading and studying it, study it deeply, and apply it to our lives.

Let's allow the Bible to transform us and make us more like Christ, so that we can live the abundant life that God has planned for us.

References from the Bible

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Hebrews 4:12

"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."

James 1:22

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."