Introduction
The Word exhorts us to “make every effort to supplement (our) faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). This promotes our growth in the Lord, our sanctification. It is the process by which we become more and more like Jesus Christ and more and more separated from the world. Jesus says this happens by the Word of God: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17), and Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will”. The renewing of our minds takes place as Scripture flows through it like a pure river. As the flow increases in consistency, we see things more and more the way God does.
We do not have to memorize Scripture to be Christians. We need Jesus. However, salvation requires knowledge from God’s Word: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17), and because of its infinite power, it is beneficial to learn as much of it as we can. Memorizing Scripture is not an end in itself. We want to know God and be changed by Him as we seek His face through the Word. There is nothing else, nothing that satisfies, nothing that fulfills…except Christ and knowing Him.
Our Passion
Our passion to know Jesus leads us to long for all God will give. It hungers for all that God can fill. It overflows with unquenchable desire to be intimate with our Lord. He has sweet discoveries for us when we dedicate time to Him as He will tell us “great and hidden things that (we) have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). It will be a glorious journey as we get to know Him deeply!
Through learning the Word of God, we seek to equip ourselves and others for a passionate, powerful, sustained and fulfilling relationship with our Creator, and to know the abiding presence of Him in our lives. When we know Scripture, the Lord will provide opportunity for those living and active words to be used in His power in our own lives and to teach and encourage other Christians with an apt word from the perfect Word of God: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16).
Our passionate desire is for everyone to KNOW GOD and for the body of Christ to experience, mature in, and effectively communicate the message of the Cross. The Word heals, strengthens, equips and changes us. This knowing and growing in God will cause us to fall more deeply in love with Him and humbly and passionately love those around us. We desire for God’s glory to be known and shown in the world – one transformed, empowered, victorious life at a time. We cannot help but be changed when we spend time with the Word of God, Jesus Christ. Let’s train our minds to think on God and His Word. Let’s fill up with Christ and pour Him out on others – and they will be changed too! An ever-increasing refining fire will mature and grow in us so that we can more and more accurately represent Christ in our community, our nation, and around the world. When we know Scripture, the Lord will use it mightily to bring life-saving truth to the minds of those who do not yet know Him… but will for eternity.
We are commanded to redeem the time, and memorizing Scripture is a great way to redeem the time!
Young people
This is your chance! Take it while you are young! Generally as you get older, responsibilities increase; prepare yourselves for the responsibilities that lie ahead by hiding God’s Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11). If you learn one verse per week for 20 years and make it a point to learn well, you will know 1000 verses!