In 2009, Mark Galli wrote an article in Christianity Today entitled “Yawning at the Word.” The title of the article gives the picture of a person who is bored by lessons that demand focus and careful attention to what the Word actually says. Galli writes about the human tendency to sidestep serious study and deep understanding of the Word. Instead we want the instant gratification of our immediate needs through simplistic “action points”. We don’t want the hard work of cutting deep into the core of Scripture to get to the meat of biblical truth. We just want tidbits of truth that we can snack on. He writes:
We live in a narcissistic age, where we are wont to fixate on our needs, our wants, our wishes, and our hopes—at the expense of others and certainly at the expense of God. We do not like it when a teacher uses up the whole class time presenting her material, even if it is material from the Word of God. We want to be able to ask our questions about our concerns, otherwise we feel talked down to, or we feel the class is not relevant to our lives.
Indeed, we have become impatient with the process of learning. “Get straight to the point,” we demand. But we expose ourselves to the danger of missing the “point” if we do not take the time to know on what foundation it is built. Biblical statements, promises, and instructions will sink deeper into our heart and affect us more significantly if we understand and embrace the worldview or perspective behind the teaching. We must learn to pay more attention to the Word, and less on the demands of the world or our personal concerns.
Two examples: The world would often receive and apply the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.3-17) only as a set of rules to follow. And the task of following them can become a burden. But if we acknowledge that these commands are given on the basis of who God is and what God has done for us (Exodus 20.2), our obedience will stand on firmer ground.
The same may be said of the Great Commission (Matthew 28.16-10). We may know and even memorize the instruction and promise (19-20). But are we clear that the commission is grounded on the truth that Jesus is the Lord who has authority over all things (18)? Our obedience will be steadfast only when we wholeheartedly embrace the lordship of Christ.
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2.1 NIV).
—Keith Y. Jainga