A Simple Call to Honest and Personal Study of God’s Word
When I look at the church today, I see something that gives me pause. Many Christians, myself included at times, seem to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe or follow. It’s almost like we treat important teachings—like salvation, faith, grace, love, kindness, justice, mercy, repentance, doing what’s right, and growing spiritually—as options on a menu, taking only what’s easy or comfortable. But the tougher teachings, the ones that might stretch us or challenge our views, often get ignored.
Another thing I notice is how much we rely on pastors, authors, or popular opinions to tell us what to believe about God. With so many voices out there—sermons, podcasts, social media—it’s tempting to let others do the hard work and just accept what they say. But the Bible wasn’t meant to be kept at a distance or filtered through someone else’s words. It’s God’s message for each one of us to explore first-hand.
Take the people of Berea in the Bible, for example. When Paul came and taught them, they didn’t just listen and move on. They made a habit of checking the Scriptures for themselves every day to see if what they heard was true. Real faith isn’t afraid of honest questions or careful study; in fact, it welcomes them. If we want to be strong in our beliefs, we need to let the Bible guide us, just like the Bereans did—listening with open minds and seeking answers for ourselves.
The Bible makes it clear that eternal life is found through Jesus Christ. The entire story of Scripture points to Him—not just as a historical figure, but as a living Savior who changes lives. But if all we do is collect information about God, and never let His words shape our hearts, we miss the point. Faith isn’t about winning debates or knowing more facts, especially on topics like politics or religion. It’s about letting God’s truth transform the way we live, love, forgive, and serve.
Salvation isn’t a one-time choice; it’s the start of a growing relationship with Jesus. Faith means trusting Him, even when we don’t have all the answers. Grace and mercy remind us that God’s love can’t be earned—He gives it freely, and asks us to pass it on to others. Love, kindness, and justice aren’t extras; they’re at the heart of following Jesus. Turning away from our old ways (repentance) and doing what’s right (righteousness) isn’t about following rules, but about letting God change us from the inside out.
But how can we know what God really wants if we don’t go straight to the source? The Bible is full of wisdom, but finding it takes time, effort, and a genuine desire to learn. It means making time to read, pray, ask questions, and let God speak to us—not just settling for someone else’s take. When we do this, we don’t just learn about God; we actually experience Him. That’s how real change happens: not just by gathering knowledge, but by letting God transform us to be more like Jesus.
So here’s my encouragement: Let’s not settle for a faith that’s shallow or borrowed. Let’s open our Bibles with a fresh perspective, not just looking for answers, but truly seeking to know Jesus. Let’s let God’s Word challenge us, change us, and lead us deeper into His will. The world needs Christians who live out the truth with love, humility, and strength. May we be those people—rooted not in opinions or traditions, but in the unchanging truth found in Jesus Christ.
Minister A Francine Green
December 2025
afrancinegreen.com 