The Gospel in Real Life

I have a dear friend who insists that, “A reading Christian is a growing Christian.” That statement is packed with truth. It was this same friend who quite a number of years ago, got me on the path of reading more consistently and expanding my library and quite honestly, it changed my life. I’m not talking about reading novels (although that is a good thing), but I’m talking about reading theological books that stretch you. There is no substitute for that kind of reading when it’s coupled with reading our Bibles. With the holidays upon us, I’ve not been reading as much and I can’t wait to get back to it. I miss it, and I don’t feel as sharpened as I do when I’m reading more. I’m not big on New Year resolutions, but I am looking forward to the holiday distractions passing and getting back into a pattern of reading good books and getting stretched theologically and practically.

I want to encourage you to do the same. Begin to build your library and fill it with great books. Read them and write in them as you read. Read a systematic theology this year. Grudem is great. His style is user-friendly. Read Calvin’s Institutes. Read a commentary on a book of the Bible. Read something by Sproul, D.A.Carson, Piper, Fitzpatrick, ad infinitum. Read, read, read. Read to gain a better understanding of Scripture and read devotionally too. Read with a friend or a group of friends, and then talk about how what you are reading applies to your life right now. There is so much out there and available, just go for it. If you need a resource, Best Commentaries is a good place to start. But there are too many good resources out there to list all of them.

Spiritual growth, like spontaneity, must be planned. Spiritual growth shouldn’t be something that we just hope we slop into one day. Reading books that stretch you theologically and with good and challenging application of the gospel will fast track your growth in Christ.

A reading Christian is a growing Christian.