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	October 2004				John Harrower
		Bishop's reflection 'Enlivened by biblical faith' - a key phrase from a healthy church . . . transforminglife What brings life? by John Harrower
			Life comes through hearing and doing God's words. In the Word of God, the Bible, are the words of life. Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount by exhorting us to be both hearers and doers of his words. We should not be surprised that the reading of the Bible enlivens faith. The Psalmist says, 'How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.' (Psalm 119.103-105) The Bible is God's Word and therefore we read it in a special way: Reverently - The Bible is God's word to us. We hear the voice of God as we read the Bible. The Bible is 'God-breathed'. The Holy Spirit who inspired the writing of the Bible enlivens the mind and heart of the reader of the Bible. The reading of the Word of God is done prayerfully in the presence of God. Intelligently - We read the Bible carefully. We are conscious of the culture of the Bible and the need to observe its cultural context and to interpret its meaning in that setting. We then apply this teaching to our life today, in our cultural context. In Community - The Bible is to be read with other Christians. The National Church Life Survey confirms this, 'When private Bible reading accompanies being part of a wider Christian community, (church) attenders will more often be growing in faith, than if they were alone.' Expectantly - We read the Bible in prayerful expectation of the transforming work of God in the reader's life and in the world. God explained it this way to the prophet Isaiah, 'For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.' (Isaiah 55.10,11) The Bible equips and empowers us to live a life of love and service. The apostle Paul said to a young leader in the Church, 'All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.' (2 Timothy 3.16,17) Frequently -The 2001 National Church Life Survey found that, 'It appears that (church) attenders who are frequent Bible readers have a much greater likelihood to have an outward focus in the practice of their faith and to be part of gathered communities of faith, such as small groups or congregations.' 'Enlivened by biblical faith' means to face the challenges of our world while remaining faithful to the revelation of God in the holy Scriptures. It is our calling to live under the Word in the world. God bless your reading of the life-giving Word of God.