“The truth is that most of us are already educated beyond the level of our obedience. We learn more and do less, thinking all the while that we’re growing spiritually.”- Mark Batterson
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”- James 1:22 (NIV)
Mark Batterson concluded Chapter 5 of Primal as he discusses a spiritual exercise Saint Ignatius of Loyola taught his followers. He called the exercise imaginative meditation. Hence, Loyola encouraged his followers to actually enter the gospel stories, to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells. As a result, they moved from the role of spectator to that of participant.
Most noteworthy, Pastor Batterson contends, not all truths can be detected by left-brain logic. Instead, they must be inducted through right-brain imagination. Indeed, Mark contends that we’re far too analytical in our reading of Scripture. He adds, “We dissect Scripture instead of letting Scripture dissect us.”
Therefore, the author asserts, if you want to understand truth, obey it. And as you read the Bible verse by verse, it becomes more than theory. It translates into firsthand experience.
In conclusion, Mark mentions that we get our word audit from the Latin word for ‘listen’. Just as you get no credit when you audit a class, you get no credit for auditing Scripture. You must put it into practice.
While the Western world makes a distinction between knowing and doing, no such distinction exists in ancient Jewish thought. In other words, translate the truth with your life. Mark explains:
“For better or for worse, your life is a unique translation. . . . your life translates Scripture into a language that those around you can read. God doesn’t just want to speak to you through Scripture, he wants to speak through you. He wants to write His story through your life. And Scripture is the script.”
Today’s question: Have you ever found yourself educated beyond the level of your obedience? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “True litmus test of spiritual maturity”