A few weeks ago a blog was written to address why third and fourth generation Christians are leaving the church. The blog addressed various points and I would like to address one of those points as part of this week’s Sabbath Thought.
The author of the blog writes, “We are inundated with more distractions than the generations before us
Distractions. Distractions. Distractions. At the touch of a button we can pull up porn, dirty comedy, and a host of all kinds of other sinful things. Even if we aren’t out looking for it, it’s constantly being pushed in our faces. While TV and the internet are considered amazing modern advances, they make being a Christian a lot more difficult. Not only do they surround us with temptation, but they distract us from what we should really be doing.”
Are there more distractions today? Probably, but not only do third and fourth generation Christians have to deal with these distractions but so do all Christians living at this time. Distractions are part of this world and have always posed temptations for God’s people. Our challenge is to turn off the TV, the internet, the X-box, the cell phone or the computer. Instead of letting the distractions get the better of us, we must focus upon those things that are pleasing to God.
The Apostle Paul addressed where our minds should be in Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” Clearly, by conscious choice we must fill our minds with the uplifting things Paul points to in order that we can meditate on them. We must reject the distractions tempting us and deliberately focus on the positive.
The author of the blog continues, “We are trained to think that studying is work. It’s not something we look forward to since we do it all day long at school and even into (sic) our jobs. Studying the Bible in your free time just doesn’t sound relaxing. Now TV, that’s relaxing. We know what we should do, but it’s just so easy to give in to other options when they are sitting right there at our fingertips. However, take all those distractions away, sit in an empty room with just your Bible, and reading it becomes a lot more appealing.
Our relationships with God suffer because of this… and we know it. We ache for the simpler times when people weren’t so overwhelmed by this world and the distractions in it.
When we get distracted, when our relationship with God falls by the wayside, it becomes easier to leave.”
It is true that studying is not always fun or as relaxing as TV. But isn’t that the challenge we face in regard to Bible study? We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Diligence implies applying oneself, working hard, striving for a goal. From Hebrews 11:6 we can conclude that if we diligently seek to understand God and His way of life through the Bible we will be rewarded for the effort.
More to the point, where can we find the qualities Paul laid out in Philippians 3 more completely expressed than in the Bible? Paul directs Timothy, a young man in the faith, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
In the blog post the author gives a great suggestion for avoiding distractions and studying the Bible, “However, take all those distractions away, sit in an empty room with just your Bible, and reading it becomes more appealing.” Clearly, when one shuts out the distractions and focuses his attentions on the scriptures then the word of God has the greatest potential for impacting a person’s life.
As one studies the Bible in a focused manner, the rewards of the effort are great. Note what David recorded in Psalm 19 in regard to God’s word “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).
It is true that our world is filled with many distractions and it is easier to be distracted than to engage in Bible study. However, at the end of the day, what do we have to show for indulging in distractions? In most cases, the distractions we indulge in offer us no lasting result and most importantly they do not contribute to our being in the Kingdom of God.
However, doing the work that Bible study requires, reap results that last forever.
Happy Sabbath,
Gary Smith
