Calories

Have you ever made the decision to lose weight or get into shape? Do the words that make up the title of this article come to mind when you think about losing weight or getting in shape? Those words do not make getting in shape sound fun or pleasing. Maybe if we changed the words to make getting in shape sound easier or more fun we would all be able to get in shape. We know that wouldn’t work either because you would still have to do the same things even though it may sound more fun.

The basic idea of getting in shape is to burn off more calories than you take in or be close to burning off what you take in.

As Christ followers the same principle applies. The more we sit and hear God’s Word through Sunday morning messages, Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Small Group meetings, our own study time at home, etc. we think that we are really getting stronger and more mature as Christ followers because of what we know. In reality just sitting, listening, thinking about what we heard and doing nothing just makes us out of shape Christians. Look at what James writes in:
James 1:22
[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James is telling us that really living and getting in shape as Christ followers involves doing what you have listened to. He says we deceive ourselves if all we do is listen. To really get to know and understand God’s Word we need to experience it by doing what it says. I know I need to love people and I will never know how great that is or what that means unless I experience it with action.

As we take in calories it requires a lot more physical work to stay in shape. The more we sit and listen it requires a lot more doing to get the point of what we listened to. So to develop as a Christ follower maybe we need to listen less and do what Christ is telling us through our listening. So instead of attending 3 bible studies, maybe one is sufficient. If you tried to do all what you heard in 3 bible studies you would definitely be a busy Christ follower, but would you be an effective Christ follower? Reading 2 chapters a day is good but can you really do all that you read about? Maybe it is more effective to read a few verses or just one passage everyday for a week and actually do what God is telling us.