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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
The Bible is, without doubt, the most unique book to have ever been penned (Eccl 12:11, 12); for in it we
find science (cf. Psa 8:8), history (cf. Matt 1), and geography (cf. 1 Chro 26:17), and at the same time words
which are applicable to each person no matter the time in which he/she lives. In Hebrews 4:12 it is written,
"For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the
dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the
heart" (ASV). It is no wonder, then, that James calls the Bible a mirror of the soul (Jms 1:25), and Paul calls it
that which "thoroughly furnishes man unto every good work" (2 Tim 3:17). For this cause Paul admonished
Timothy, hence all preachers, to "preach the word" (2 Tim 4:2), because therein lies the "power of God" (Rom
1:16), which power changes lives if it is allowed by those who hear it (cf. Titus 2:11, 12). As the preacher's job
is to preach, so is the hearer's job to hear, and both are to make application (Ac 10:33). Thus, time and again
we read things like, "Consider your ways" (Hos 1:5, 7), and "examine yourselves" (1 Cor 13:5), as well as
"judge in yourselves" (1Cor 11:13), and "we would judge ourselves" (1 Cor 11:28, 31). Sadly, however, many
Christians fail to look to themselves making application of that which is preached, and often look to others.
In 2 Samuel 11 we read of David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, the conception of a child, and
the murder of her husband Uriah at the orders of David the king in a vain attempt to hide his sins (Num 32:
23). Then, in chapter 12 David is approached by Nathan who, in essence, preaches a sermon in the form of a
parable. Upon concluding David responded by making application to another saying, "as the Lord liveth, the
man that hath done this thing shall surely die" (12:5), to which Nathan said, "thou art the man" (v.7). David
made the same mistake that many of us make today, he failed to apply the teachings of God to himself.
Preachers will often be asked in response to a sermon or an article written: "was that to me?" or "was that
about me?" The preacher does not always have someone specific in mind, but if you have to question if the
article or sermon addresses you in particular, then chances are you are need of making application. Others
will say to the preacher: "brother or sister Sinner needed to hear/read that." While it may be true that
someone else is in need of hearing what was preached or reading what was written, it is also true that God's
word is alive, and each person needs to react by saying, "how does that apply to me," for if God's word is
living and active, then it applies to everyone in some way or another. As Paul said when writing to the
Corinthians, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Cor 11:31).
What type of Bible student/hearer are you? Do you say, "speak Lord, they servant heareth"? Do you
make every attempt to understand how the message proclaimed applies to you directly? Or are you offended
if you think the message does apply to you (Gal 4:16)? It is my earnest prayer that each of us of the Morgan
City church, and those of the churches of Christ world wide, would make every effort to be certain to be
"transformed" unto God's word each day (Rom 12:1, 2). So, let me ask, are you wondering if this applies to
you?