Prescription for Reading: Read. Extract. Apply. Do.

The ability to read is greatly underrated. It’s like receiving a gift that continues to keep giving. It’s like being entrusted with a key that opens an infinite number of treasures. As a boy I became an avid reader, taking me on adventures with teen inventor Tom Swift, solving mysteries with the Hardy Boys, traveling to distant lands through books like Treasure Island, Hans Brinker and Ivanhoe, and enjoying sports exploits with the likes of Chip Hilton and Mel Martin. 

I also devoured books about American history, nature, science fiction, mystery, and a host of other topics. My younger days would have been impoverished without being able to read and learn about so many intriguing topics. For this reason, I believe literacy should receive paramount attention in our society. Gaining the capacity to read can provide a pathway out of poverty and into prosperity.

However, the power of reading involves more than being able to recognize letters, words and even comprehend sentences. Because we can read many things but if we don’t put into use the information we acquire, we’ve gained little. 

 

Recently during a discussion a friend suggested an acronym that illustrates this point. It’s READ: Read. Extract. Apply. Do. He explained that when we read something, we should seek not only to recognize words and meanings, or even for intellectual understanding, but also for application – striving to put what we have read into action.

 

For instance, when we buy a new kitchen appliance it comes with directions for use. We might read them, but if we don’t follow what they say we should do, we could damage the product – or worse. When we rented a cabin to attend a family function, the owners had left a list of instructions we needed to take care of before we left. Reading the list would have been of no use if we hadn’t followed up on what it said.

 

We could cite many other examples, but the wisdom of ‘Read – Extract – Apply – Do’ is particularly vital as we read the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle James gave this admonition to followers of Jesus as he taught how they should conduct their everyday lives: 

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

 

While He never used the READ acronym, Jesus Christ was clearly a strong advocate of it in principle. He found it particularly applicable for responding to accusations leveled at him by the Pharisees, Sadducees and other religious leaders who opposed His ministry. On numerous occasions He would chide His hearers, “Have you not read…?” 

 

For instance, in rebuking the Pharisees for complaining when they saw His hungry disciples picking heads of grain on the Sabbath day, He said, “‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.’ Then He said, ‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath’” (Luke 6:3-5). 

 

Another time the Pharisees were challenging Jesus on His views about divorce. He responded, “Haven’t you read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:4).

 

One day the Sadducees, another group of religious leaders, were attempting to trick Jesus with a question about people being resurrected of the dead. Jesus replied, “…have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Mark 12:26).

 

And speaking to the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders who confronted him about His teachings, Jesus gave a parable about a vineyard owner and then concluded, “Haven’t you read this scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Mark 12:10).

 

In each instance, Jesus knew the religious had literally read the words from the scrolls that were so fastidiously stored in the synagogues and temples. They had read what the Scriptures said, and perhaps even worked to extract their meaning. Their fault came in failure to properly apply and put into action what they were saying.

 

The same can be said for us today. It’s said that while many homes across the United States have at least one copy of the Bible, only about nine percent of professing Christians actually read the Bible on a regular basis. As for how many of those are diligent to apply and do what they read, we can only assume it’s less than nine percent.

 

The Scriptures assure us that salvation – receiving God’s forgiveness for our sins and being assured of eternal life – is solely a gift of His grace and mercy. At the same time, we’re instructed to live out what we read in God’s Word. As the apostle Paul urged believers in ancient Philippi, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). In other words, as James the apostle said, don’t just read and listen to the Word of God. Do what it says to do!

It’s About Application – Truth in Action

When was the most recent powerful sermon you heard? What was it about the message that made such an impression on you?

 

I could cite numerous sermons and presentations that struck me in a powerful way, but I’d have to say they all contained three common elements. The great English preacher of the 19^th century, Charles H. Spurgeon is credited with explaining how he prepared his messages, although I suspect many other pastors have used the same approach.

 

Spurgeon said that in preparing to speak on a specific Bible passage, he would ask three questions: What does it say? What does it mean? And finally, What difference does it make? Or as I’m often tempted to ask near the conclusion of a sermon, “So what?”

 

Perhaps to a fault, I tend to err on the side of personal application, whether in reading and studying the Bible, or writing an article or blog post like this. As Spurgeon said, it’s not enough to read the words and try to discern their meaning. It’s the third step, determining what difference the teachings of a passage should make in our lives, that lights the fire under us.

 

One time I talked with a pastor about his approach to giving Sunday morning messages. He was excellent in explaining to the congregation what a Bible passage said and what it meant, at times even referring to the original Hebrew or Greek terms for clarification. Where his messages fell short, in my opinion, was in the area of application.

 

After a lengthy discussion, the pastor told me that in his view, the matter of application should be left to the Holy Spirit. In other words, it’s up to God’s Spirit to teach us how to apply biblical truth. To an extent I could agree; how one section of Scripture applies to my life might be quite different from how the passage relates to someone else’s life. But to extend the pastor’s logic, why not trust the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand what a passage says and means, as well?

 

Application – the old “where the rubber meets the road” concept – is what distinguishes a growing, fruitful follower of Jesus from one who has merely absorbed considerable biblical information and knowledge. As the apostle James exhorted first-century believers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). To do what it says involves applying it to our own lives and circumstances.

 

The late Henry R. Brandt, a pioneer in modern-day biblical counseling, also was an accomplished author and popular conference speaker. I heard Dr. Brandt say that whenever he spoke, he had only one point to make – but by using a variety of illustrations, he strived to convey that point in as many ways as he could, so everyone listening had an opportunity to grasp what he was talking about.

 

Most folks aren’t going to write Christian books, speak at Bible conferences or preach from Sunday pulpits. But as we spend time individually in the Word of God, Spurgeon’s counsel could serve as an effective guide for our study. If, when we read the Scriptures we conclude, “I didn’t get anything out of it,” maybe it’s because we’re reading only for information and not illumination.

 

Consider a passage, any passage. It could be a psalm, a chapter from Proverbs, maybe one of the vivid narratives from Genesis or Exodus, an episode from Jesus’ life in one of the gospels, or a section in one of the New Testament letters. As you read it, ask yourself: What does it say? And don’t settle for the first answer that comes to your mind. Next ask, what does it mean? Again, take the time to ponder and even meditate on this for a bit. 

 

Finally, ask yourself, what difference does it make – for you? As someone has wisely observed, “God doesn’t give us information to know something. He gives us knowledge so we can do something.” And that means applying biblical truth to our lives through obedience and practice.

 

This is one reason the apostle admonished, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘God, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

As followers of Jesus, if we’re to live abundant and fruitful lives that glorify Him and fulfill His purposes for our lives, we dare not neglect application of the Scriptures – biblical truth in action. 

Called to Be Participants, Not Spectators

What would you think of football players that go to all the team meetings, take part in every practice, even suit up on game day and engage in the pregame warmups, but sit on the sidelines eating snack cakes and refuse to get into the game?

How about an aspiring sales executive who goes through weeks of sales training, gets her sales kit and spends many hours familiarizing herself with the presentation, follows guidelines to “dress for success” (as the best-selling book of years past suggested), but never makes a sales call?

Sounds silly, right? Why bother making the preparations, obtaining the necessary equipment and putting on the best possible appearance, only to remain a spectator while others become actively engage in the work to be done?

Too many of us are sitting along the
sidelines watching, when we should
be getting into the game.

Yet these could describe many who would classify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. They show up every time the church doors are opened and attend every special meeting. They sing and sway to the music, sometimes raising their hands, attend Sunday school classes, and know the prescribed jargon. “God is good” and “praise the Lord” are phrases they often express.

Sadly, there’s a disconnect. The folks they are inside the “stained-glass aquarium” look surprisingly little like the persons they are outside the church doors. I know, because I was once among them.

I’d take part in various church functions, walk and talk the proper way in those surroundings. I even held leadership positions within the congregation. But I barely knew this Jesus I claimed to believe in. Outside the church environment, I didn’t look, speak or think much differently from my unchurched friends and coworkers. I acted as if God were confined to the church building and had no idea what I did when I wasn’t there.

Only later did I discover the difference between belief and faith. We see the distinction described in the New Testament book of James. It cautions, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder” (James 2:19). But we won’t be seeing demons in heaven.

True faith, the Bible tells us, can’t be divorced from action. The same book offers this warning: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

This doesn’t mean we’re saved or made right with God by what we do. The Scriptures are clear on this: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works…” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Titus 3:5 confirms this, noting, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy….”

So why is it important to be participants in God’s eternal mission, and not just spectators cheering on those that are “in the game”? Because the Bible clearly declares being a Christ follower is not a spectator sport. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Being casual observers is not an option.

Then what are these “good works”? They start with the two greatest commandments that Jesus summarized – loving the Lord our God with all our heart and soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). But this involves a lot of things, from being kind and compassionate toward those in need to engaging in the last command Jesus gave before His ascension:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Some might respond, “Well, my faith is personal.” To an extent that’s true, but we’re also charged to share our faith with others so it can become personal for them as well. If Jesus and His gospel message are indeed Good News, as He said it is, we have no right to keep it to ourselves. We need to get off the sidelines and into the game – one with eternal consequences and rewards.

What We Can Learn from ‘Simon Says’

When was the last time you played the game, “Simon Says”? I’m not referring to the musical reality show judge Simon Cowell, or even the legendary vocalist Paul Simon. I mean the kids’ game when the leader tells us “Simon says” and gives instructions on what the participants need to do.

There are two requirements to succeed at “Simon Says.” If Simon says you need to do something, like standing on one foot, doing jumping jacks, or patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time, you better do it or you’re out of the competition. And if the leader gives a command, but Simon doesn’t say to do it, you better refrain or…you’re out of the competition.

I never figured out who “Simon” was, or why he wasn’t called Clyde, or Hilda for that matter, but we all knew that whenever Simon said something, we better pay close attention. If only we did so well in heeding what God tells us to do.

Francis Chan, a popular preacher and author on the West Coast, addressed this reality in a video. He noted that while the children’s game teaches us to be vigilant in obeying Simon’s instructions, too often we don’t feel obligated to do what the Lord says.

Many of us regularly read the Bible, all the while nodding our affirmation for what Jesus taught. We might pause to meditate on His message for a while, even memorize some verses that particularly resonate. But put it into practice? Not so fast! As Chan observed, “If Jesus says something, you don’t have to do it. You just have to memorize it.”

He quipped, it’s like telling a child to clean his or her room. Hours later, nothing has been picked up or straightened. When challenged, the child responds with a big smile: “I liked what you said. I memorized it – I can even say it in Greek!”

Alas, that’s not what God expects. As we’re told in James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s easy to declare, “I love the Lord,” but is there evidence of that? We’re instructed in 1 John 5:3, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”

Yes, He has given us laws and commands to obey, but as the verse above points out, they aren’t burdensome – they’re not intended to make our lives miserable. In fact, their purpose is just the opposite. They enable us to experience the peace, joy and fulfillment God promises, and they also enable us to grow closer to Him in the process.

Eric Liddell, the central figure in the film of years ago, “Chariots of Fire,” was a world-class athlete who stood firm on his convictions about keeping the Sabbath holy, even when it cost him the opportunity to compete in an Olympic event he was favored to win.

Liddell’s motives were not self-righteousness or unbending legalism, but a desire to enjoy an intimate relationship with his Lord. As he wrote in The Disciplines of the Christian Life, “You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice.”

Years ago, I came across a verse that underscores this truth. The apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that you will be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (Philemon 6). My personal paraphrase is that when we put into practice what God has given us, He will give us more knowledge and understanding; conversely, if we’re not eager to use what we already have, why should He entrust us with more?

The Amplified Translation expresses this even more powerfully: “(And I pray) that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good (thing) that is ours in (our identification with) Christ Jesus – and unto (His glory).”

When God tells us to do something, we can trust it’s for our good – and for His honor and glory. So just as we enthusiastically used to do what Simon said, we should be even more willing to do what Jesus says – because it’s not just a game. It’s real life, the life God intends for us.