The
Lost Christian Art
of
Meditation

Perhaps there is
something we can
learn from the world,
after all . . .

MANY TRULY BORN-AGAIN
    Christians try to study their Bibles
like they would for a final exam in
college--cram in only what you need to
know at that given time.   Many will open
God's Word only if they need the answer
to some specific doctrinal question.

There is nothing wrong with seeking
Biblical advice when you need it; but, if
this is the only time you open your Bible,
then your spiritual growth is going to
greatly suffer.

Psalm 1:1-3 shows us the proper way to
approach God's Word: "Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the
scornful.   But his DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW
of the LORD; and in his law DOTH HE
MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT.   And he shall
be like a tree planted by the rivers of
water, that BRINGETH FORTH HIS FRUIT in
his season; his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall PROSPER."

We shouldn't merely read God's Word.
We should delight ourselves in it.   The
person who delights himself in God's Word
will not only tend to read it as often as
he/she can, but will try to meditate day
and night upon what they have read!

Now maybe you're wondering how on
earth someone could be so absorbed in

God's Word; who has enough time for
so much meditation?   But the fact is,
unsaved people, practice "prolong
meditation" all the time!

First, let's define "meditation" . . .
Look up the words MEDITATE and
MEDITATION in a Strong's concordance/
dictionary, and you will find several
definitions depending on how it's used
within a given verse.

For example, consider the following verses
(the definitions are listed in [brackets]):

  • "When I remember thee upon my bed,
    and MEDITATE     [to utter, muse, devise,
    plot, speak] ON THEE in the night
    watches."       Psalm 63:6

  • "I will MEDITATE [to utter, muse,
    devise, plot, speak] also OF ALL THY
    WORK, and talk of thy doings."       Psa. 77:12

  • "I will MEDITATE [to put forth, muse,
    commune, consider, ponder, study, speak]
    IN THY PRECEPTS, and have respect unto
    thy ways."       Psalm 119:15

  • "My hands also will I lift up unto thy
    commandments, which I have loved; and I
    will MEDITATE     [to put forth, muse,
    commune, consider, ponder, study, speak]
    IN THY STATUTES."   Psalm 119:48

    Keep reading, there's more . . .

  • "Mine eyes prevent the night watches,
    that I might MEDITATE     [to put forth,
    muse, commune, consider, ponder, study,
    speak] IN THY WORD."   Psalm 119:148

  • "I remember the days of old; I
    MEDITATE     [to utter, muse, devise, plot,
    speak] ON ALL THY WORKS; I muse on
    the work of thy hands."       Psalm 143:5

  • "O how love I THY LAW! it is my
    MEDITATION     [reflection] ALL THE DAY."
    Psalm 119:97

  • "I have more understanding than all
    my teachers: for THY TESTIMONIES ARE
    MY MEDITATION     [reflection, prayer,
    devotion, musing, study]."   Psalm 119:99

    From these few examples, we see that
    meditation involves more than just thinking
    about God's Word.   We find it also involves
    speaking about it, studying it, praying over
    it, and devising and plotting its use.

    Put it all together and you find the psalmist
    OBSESSED, even CONSUMED, with God's
    Word.   And don't think he's too fanatical.
    The world gets obsessed and consumed all
    the time.   Where do you think the word
    "fan" is derived from?

    In fact, during football season a major soft-
    drink company has been known to televise
    an ad which obsessed football fans are
    said to "Eat, Drink, and Sleep football."

    		• Sadly, while meditation may be a lost
    art to most Christians, it is something
    well familiar to the world.

    Consider the Trekkies . . .
    There is cult-like behavior surrounding
    Stars Wars and Star Trek.   Both have an
    enormous following.   Both have many
    within their following that behave
    obsessively.   The followers of Star Trek,
    for example, are commonly referred to
    as Trekkies.
       Books have been written about
    Trekkies, and there is even a
    documentary video, called Trekkies,
    detailing the lengths to which some
    Trekkies will go.   In fact, an ad for the
    video, in the December 6, 1999 issue
    of Time magazine states:

    "Trekkies: If you love the show,
    you're a fan.   If you live the show,
    you're a Trekkie."

    But perhaps the most interesting aspect
    of the Trekkie phenomena is the fact
    that many Trekkies will take on the
    personification of various Star Trek
    characters.   Granted, they don't lose
    their personal identities--although it's
    likely one or two have, throughout the
    years.   But, they'll imitate a given
    character, role-playing him/her by

    "...for the children
    of this world are in
    their generation wiser
    than the children of
    light."       Luke 16:8

    mimicking that character's personality.
    Now, Christian, we will often look at
    such behavior and deem it strange and
    obsessive.   We will even say, to use a
    worldly phrase, that "these Trekkies
    need to get a life."       But are
    we not, as Christians,
    supposed to "put on" a life
    ourselves: the life of Christ?

    Paul said: "I am crucified
    with Christ: nevertheless I
    live; yet not I, but Christ
    liveth in me: and the life
    which I now live in the flesh I live by
    the faith of the Son of God, who loved
    me, and gave himself for me."       Gal.
    2:20

    We might smile at the fact that
    Trekkies are trying to conform
    themselves to the image of a Star Trek
    character.   But, yet, are we not
    supposed to be conformed to the image
    of Christ?

    Again, God's Word says: "For whom
    he did foreknow, he also did
    predestinate to be CONFORMED TO
    THEM IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he might
    be the firstborn among many brethren."
    Rom. 8:29

    		How is one conformed?
    The Bible tells us: "And be not
    conformed to this world: but be ye
    transformed by the renewing of your
    mind, that ye may prove what is that
    good, and acceptable, and
    perfect, will of God."       Rom.
    12:2
       A key to being conformed
    to the image of Christ is
    being "Transformed by the
    renewing of your mind,"     a
    renewing that comes
    through the very thing
    we've been talking about--meditation
    upon God's Word.

    The world puts us to shame . . .
    Christian, how sad when the world will
    obsess itself over something frivolous
    like Star Trek by reading and meditating
    upon every piece of related material it
    can get its hands on; and yet, we don't
    do the same with God's Word!

    We wonder why we don't take on the
    image of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus
    Christ, and spiritually grow the way we
    should.   And, yet, here is the world
    conforming itself to the image of some
    fictitious character by using a
    method that God has prescribed for
    us--MEDITATION.

    IF you were to die today, are you 100% SURE
    you would go to Heaven?       The Bible says
    YOU CAN BE SURE (1 John 5:13).

    BUT FIRST, you must realize that what keeps you from going to Heaven are your sins, because:
    "...your iniquities [sins] have separated between you and your God," Isaiah 59:2.
    In fact, in God's eyes YOU ARE A SINNER: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

    SECONDLY, you must realize that there is NOTHING you can do to save yourself and earn Heaven: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."   (Eph. 2:8-9)   Baptism, good deeds, church membership, self-righteousness are all examples of good works that cannot save you, because, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he [Christ] saved us," Titus 3:5.

    THE ONLY WAY you can get saved is through Jesus Christ.   He said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."   (John 14:6)   THAT'S WHY: "...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."   Romans 5:8-9

    THEREFORE: You must REPENT (change your mind); admit that you are a Hell deserving sinner and can't save yourself.   And call upon Christ, and Him alone, to save you.   "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [REPENT], and shalt believe in thine heart [TRUST] that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."   Romans 10:9

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