Hoops for Life

A. Walk in the Word

What would happen if the bible did not exist? There would be no saving knowledge of God. We
would not know who God is and what He has accomplished on the cross for us. We would not
be able to see the fullness of display of the beauty, splendor and glory of God found in Christ.

God has ordained that the Holy Spirit fly in tandem with the Word. Where the Word goes, the
Holy Spirit goes. Where the Bible is opened, the Holy Spirit reveals Christ. Walking in the Word
requires two things, (1) knowledge of the Word of God, and (2) our application of what the Holy
Spirit has revealed to us through His word.

1. KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD. It is impossible to follow something or someone you do not

know. If you are foreign to the scripture (that is, if you seldom read it), how would you know you
are living by the principles of the Word? Nobody can do something they don’t know. Before we
can act according to the word, we must read the word. The Holy spirit is ever present in ou
midst to reveal to us Christ. Knowledge of the scripture should be a fundamental element of any
action we do as Christians. The things we do (or not do) should be based on the principles of the
WORD and not on the principles of this world.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect. NASB”.
Our current generation today highlights so many worldviews that is not in line with the
Scripture. And sadly, Christians today are beginning to adapt the same worldviews and try to
apply it in their lives. But our principles should not be based on our own ideas or what our
emotions dictate, nor based on social norms. Not on the patterns of this world… But based on
the Word of God. In Romans 12:2, there is one command and that is “be transformed”. The
question is How? How can we be transformed from our old ways/ habits that are in line with the
patterns of this world? Subsequently, apostle Paul gave us the key. And that is by the renewing
of our minds. This can only be done by knowing the Word. We need to read the bible daily,
meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph 3:8-9).
Knowing the word brings us to a better understanding of Jesus in whom we are commanded to
imitate.
When I talk about knowledge I don’t mean you ought to memorize every verse or
chapter in the bible. Knowing the Word is more than just head knowledge developed through
rote learning, but instead an experience with the living word of God, taking the commands and
principles of the bible at heart and having a willing spirit to follow what it commands.

2. APPLICATION THOUGH THE HELP OF THE SPIRIT. We need to acknowledge that no true or
genuine transformation can happen in the life or a person apart from the help of God Himself.
We are totally incapable of doing anything good apart from the grace and mercy of the Lord.
Change is not initiated by us. It is from God. And if it is from the Lord, it means He is also the one
who sustains it. Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a
good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. NASB”
So what should we do then? If we can’t do anything to change ourselves genuinely, then
what role do we play in our Walking in the Word? The answer starts first with a humble
recognition that God is the source of all things and sustainer of all things. And because of that, we
need to train ourselves to depend on the Lord. Dependence to the Almighty, ever-present, all-
powerful God. Understand that we are nothing apart from the Lord. This leads us in an attitude
of humility in prayer. PRAY IN HUMILITY. Ask the Lord to change you, sustain you and transform
you. NOT in a loud, repetitious, babbling, self-exalting, demanding way. Have a humble heart and
a humble attitude as you approach God in prayer, as if you are unworthy of God, because we all
are. But in His unconditional Love, He has accepted us and called us His own, through that heart-
melting yet dazzling spectacle at the cross.