“Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.”
This advice, posted on the official Facebook page of Jim Rohn, caught my eye for its simplicity, yet profound wisdom. Its application is evident in the Christian’s life, especially relating to Bible reading and study.
By the way, Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, passed away in 2009. The Facebook page operated by Success Enterprises continues to post Rohn’s pithy quotes and inspirational thoughts. I couldn’t help but think, like Abel of old, Jim Rohn, though dead still speaks (Heb. 11:4) through his published works, and now through social media.
Incidentally, Rohn’s page may be the most inspirational and encouraging page you find all day on Facebook. Check it out.
Added to Rhon’s quote is this further insight.
“Learning is only the beginning.”
“The fundamental transformation happens when you apply what you’ve learned: when ideas become choices, and choices become change. Don’t just gather insight; make sure you put it to work.”
Two words jump off the page, er, I guess the screen. Choice and Change.
The Power of Choice.
God made humankind creatures of choice. From the garden to Eden to the garden of Gethsemane, we see choices made throughout the Bible. Some people made good choices. Others made bad choices.
Before Israel entered the promised land, Moses challenged them with these words: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE life, so that you and your children may live” (Deut. 30:19).
Lifestyle is a choice. We choose our morals, ethics, and values. We choose righteousness or unrighteousness. Godliness or ungodliness. Good or evil. Right or wrong.
Bible reading, study, and learning God’s Word is also a choice. The failure to grow in knowledge, as the Apostle Peter commanded in 2 Peter 3:18, can lead to serious consequences down the road. H. E. Fosdick was right when he wrote, “He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determines the end.” Or as Richard Bach put it, “ You choose, you live with the consequences.
The power to choose is one of God’s greatest gifts. Leadership guru John Maxwell was right when he wrote, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.
Choice Becomes Change
Choices lead to actions. Repeated actions produce habits. Habits form character. And our character is who we really are and reaps an ultimate destiny. William Jennings Bryant expressed it this way, “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.” Thus, our choices will change us, either for the better or the worse.
Back to Rhone’s point, knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee positive change. We may learn a Divine Truth, believe it is so, be able to repeat and explain it, yet fail to apply it to our lives and effect any positive change in our lives.
One writer expressed it this way. “One of the great dangers of spiritual learning is mistaking familiarity for faithfulness. We can quote verses, outline doctrines, and discuss theology, yet remain unchanged in our attitudes, habits, and relationships.” James warns against this kind of self-deception: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).
Change is challenging. But it’s the heart of the Christian experience. When we became Christians, there was a change in relationship–from serving Satan to serving the Lord (Rom 6:17-18). Our thinking should be changed to emulate Jesus’ attitude (Phil. 2:5). God expects a change in our lifestyle (Eph. 4:22-24). Thus, the more we learn about God’s will and Word and choose to internalize its message, the more we change and grow.
Author and lecturer Gail Sheehy once said, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living.” Jesus came that we might enjoy an abundant life. A full life. A complete life. In Him. Failure to grow and change will result in a stagnant life. Static. And unfulfilling.
No Christian can grow and stay the same. Neither can a church. People who grow make changes. Modify methods. Alter approaches. A business that never changes will eventually go out of business. A sports team that doesn’t change will find itself at the bottom of the league standings. A church that won’t change will be staring at a lot of empty pews.
Do you want to grow? To be a stronger Christian? A more devoted wife? A more loving husband? A healthier church? The answer is found in these two words: Choice. Change.
Rohn’s right. As you read the Bible, don’t just let it result in knowledge. “Let your learning lead to action.”
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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