It is interesting to me that we can read a passage of Scripture that we have read many, many times in the past, and still discover new richness that we had not seen previously. I guess that is why Hebrews 4:12 says:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (NASB)
That is why I am always reminding myself, whenever I read the Scriptures, to be looking for how the passage will change how I think, act, and live. This is a helpful definition of applying the Scriptures to my daily life. If the Bible is truly the Word of God, if it is “living and active”, then it will be speaking new applications to me in each stage of my life, no matter how familiar the passage is to me.
Let’s use the prayer of Jesus, as recorded in John 17, as an example. As I read it recently, I began seeing new applications to my life in this familiar passage. See if this example helps you to begin a similar practice of looking for practical applications of biblical principles to your life.
We often refer to this passage as “The High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. It was likely offered outdoors, at night, as He raised His eyes toward the stars of heaven (see verse 1). It may have been offered as He and His disciples walked toward Gethsemane. There is so much in this prayer! But I would like to share with you some of my applications, as I reflected upon this chapter – as I allowed it to pierce my soul, and judge the thoughts and intentions of my heart.
John 17:4 HCSB I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.
o This explains what bringing glory to God involves: completing the work He has given us to do. (Key Word Commentary)
o My application: I will be more intentional about asking God what work He has given me to do and then doing it, so that my life will glorify God.
· John 17:9 HCSB I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours.
o “How could it be that Jesus loved the world and gave Himself for the sin of the world, yet emphasized that He was praying for His disciples and not praying for the world? …The implication is that the key to reaching the world is the life, maturity, unity, and love of the disciples.” (footnote from The Passion Translation)
o My application: I will more fully embrace Christ’s command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), because this was the pattern that Christ established for reaching (and loving) the world.
· John 17:13 AMP And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].
o Did you see how the Amplified Bible translation of this verse highlights so well the joy, delight, enjoyment, and gladness of Jesus that He wants to impart on His followers?
o This “delight” is more than happiness. It is the complete satisfaction that comes in knowing that our lives are pleasing to the Father and that we fulfill His desires on the earth. This is the delight that Jesus shares with us and prays that we would experience. (footnote from The Passion Translation)
o My application: I will commit to more proactively leaning into (and experiencing) the joy and delight that the Father and Jesus have for me.
· John 17:15 HCSB I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.
o The implication is that believers are not to withdraw from the world, but rather to positively influence the people and the systems of the world to embrace biblical principles and salvation, while simultaneously recognizing that believers need the protection of God from evil influences.
o My application: I will not withdraw from engaging in the culture, but will seek to influence it in the direction of biblical truth, while under the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
· John 17:20 ISV I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message.
o My application: I will be encouraged by realizing that Jesus was praying all His future followers – including me!
· John 17:22 NASB "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.”
o It is important to note that the key to unity among believers is experiencing the glory of God that Jesus has imparted to us. (footnote from The Passion Translation)
o My application: I will purpose to promote unity among the body of Christ, by purposefully experiencing the glory of God, and then helping other believers to likewise experience the glory of God.
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”