God Speaks To Us Through His Word 
But Why Isn’t The Word Being Taken Seriously by Believers?
by Ravi Gunaratnam
Soon after I was soundly converted from Atheism to a firm belief in Jesus Christ, I entered university for higher studies. A deeply committed lecturer[1] and a final year student encouraged me to start a Christian fellowship at the university. My mentor Sam Sherrard who was the National Director of YFC[2] taught me how to lead Bible Studies. These were men who took the Word seriously. I led weekly lunchtime Bible Studies at the University. I did this more out of Christian duty than out of a love for or appreciation of the Word.
I knew that I needed to get deeper into the Word. Work and family commitments made this difficult. Just over ten years ago a church member’s meeting was coordinated by a representative of the BUV to determine the ‘shape’ of our church and the type of ministers who would suit us best. We broke up into groups of 8 to 10 to discuss our ‘wish list’. Having had a taste of the Word and convicted of the need to study deeper, I proposed to the group which included a Youth Pastor, Elder and a Deacon that we ought to start a mid week Bible study so that we can all learn. Everyone looked at me as if I was an alien from outer space who had just suggested that we eat human flesh for breakfast. One deacon even accused me of being too idealistic. The idea of a regular Bible Study did not go down well.
But, thanks be to God, this set back spurred me on to set aside time to diligently study the word. I have studied at home, in hotel rooms and in the homes of people whenever I found a little time whether at home or on my travels. There is nothing more satisfying or rewarding. I would strongly urge every believer to get into the Word using good commentaries, concordances and other study helps. I started with Genesis and kept studying each book in great depth. I began to understand the real heart of God.
Studying 1st and 2nd Chronicles in particular was most helpful to me as a believer. In 1998 while working for a large multinational corporation my boss summoned me to his office and said ‘Rabi, the USA has decided to close down your department and move it to Asia. Your and your team member’s are the only jobs that are under threat. Please keep this confidential. But as your friend, I would suggest that you start looking for a job right away’.
This was quite a surprise. I was a good employee and ran one of the best-run departments of this multinational company. It was unfair. There was some shame attached to this too.
That night I took this matter in prayer to my heavenly father. He replied with 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 ‘the battle is not yours, but God’s … Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you’. The next few months were some of the best in my life. I went to work every day whistling a song. I saw the Lord do marvellous things. To cut a long story short, the entire division was closed down and all of us including my boss lost our jobs. I had a two-month break and was re-hired to a more senior position in another division. The Lord did everything according to His Word. I can recount many such instances when He spoke to me through His Word and carried out what He said He would do.
The Word tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Through studying the Word, not only has my faith increased, I understand His heart, His faithfulness and His promises. The Holy Spirit has used the Word to help me hear what He says. Ignorance of the Word deprives the believer of this understanding and limits the Lord from speaking clearly and giving us assurance in our situations.
Reading books written by Christian authors is useful … but there is nothing like studying the Word – I highly recommend it.
Rabi Gunaratnam attends Waverley Baptist Church.
[1] He subsequently became a Methodist Minister and many years later the President of the Methodist Church
[2] Many years later Sam was appointed to the position of President of YFC International |
