“My God, I am happy to do whatever you want. I never stop thinking about your teachings.”

In the great scheme of things, what significance do the teachings of God in the Bible have for you? Do they take up a central place in your life, or do they have a place somewhere on the edge of your cares and concerns? Have you re-ordered your life and your thinking in terms of biblical teachings, or have you merely added them to your current worldview?

If you feel you passed those questions, challenge yourself with these. Are you happy to change your life in terms of biblical teaching, or is that kind of change too extreme or too difficult for you? Are you happy to do what God wants, as defined in the Bible, or do you bend the meaning of the Bible, or ignore some of it, in order to accommodate your life as you presently live it? Indeed, do you even take the time to find out what the Bible actually has to say about certain issues?

The author of the book of Hebrews believes that Psalm 40:8 is an example of speaking in the psalm (Hebrews 10:7). And Jesus makes it quite clear where He stands on these matters.

First of all, Jesus believes that the teachings of God are so important that He never stops thinking about them. God’s teachings should have a central place in life because there isn’t anything to which they do not apply. If you are going to think correctly, if you are going to re-order your life on a proper foundation, then you must consider the teachings of God and take them seriously.

Secondly, Jesus is happy to do what God wants. It makes no difference if this is thought to be too extreme or too difficult, for it must be done. Jesus made no attempt to bend the meaning of God’s teachings, or to ignore some of them, in order to live life according to His own thinking. Jesus was happy to hear what God has to say about life, and He was happy to do it.

God’s teachings in the Bible define the meaning and purpose of human existence. If we are to honor Him and live for His glory, they must have a central place of importance in our lives.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International