TASTE | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2020

Author: Raifiel Cyril

Intro: Raifiel Cyril encourages us to make the Word of God our constant companion to help us shed old ways and be renewed in the spirit.

If I were to ask you, ‘'When do you most experience Christ in a tangible manner’, many of you may say, ‘the Eucharist’. This is true. We are not only able to see and touch Christ in this manner, but we also receive Him into our body becoming one with Him. 

My father would often point to a Bible when I was younger and say this is ‘Jesus’. We all would look at him perplexed, struggling to make sense of this. A few decades later I started reading the Bible to taste and see if it was good. Through the working of the Spirit I was encouraged to stop reading fiction, at the rate of one book a day and switch to the Bible for some time. This time stretched out to two years. Since I absolutely had to read and I’d decided to not read anything else I could be found reading the Bible during a lot of my free time. At the beginning it was just like any other book with stories, characters and drama. Slowly, but surely however, this book started coming alive. They weren’t just words on paper, but it was as though I was being spoken to. The words started becoming dynamic and began speaking to me on topics that I needed most guidance and assurance around. From being skeptical about Christ, I went to being filled with faith. It is no surprise that the Word says, ‘Faith comes by hearing the Word of God’. Soon I was led into a life changing encounter, the foundation of which was clearly laid in those two years leading up to it.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, my relationship with God became as tangible as a relationship with another human would be. There was no doubt and an unshakeable trust. Study and meditation of the Word became a vital part of my quiet time everyday and I strongly believe this constant renewing of my mind through the Word has established me in Christ.

Yes the Word of God is Christ. My Dad did not make that one up.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

From the above passage, taken from John chapter 1 we learn quite a few truths.

1. God created everything through Christ. After all He spoke and brought things into being. The Word of God.

2. The spoken Word of God from creation went on to become flesh and live with us.

3. This Word of God is Christ.

Is it any surprise then that St. Jerome said ‘Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ’?

As we study the scripture we get to know the heart of God. We understand his personality, his faithfulness, his love. He reveals Himself to us unabashed. We see His plan and purpose for His children, us. Through the Word of God He heals, encourages, strengthens and guides us. 

Eternal life is knowing God, and truly, getting to know God has been the most beautiful experience of my life and without a doubt, a great passage for intimacy was afforded by the Word of God. A genuine study of the scriptures (aimed at knowing Christ) coupled with sacraments will make it hard for anyone to become lukewarm in their faith.

The Bible is a constant companion. Why would I go anywhere without Him? He has got me out of many a soup and led me into many a green pasture through His wonderful words of life.

If the Bible does not play an integral part in your spiritual life, you are missing more than you know. Start making time to know Christ.

You remember how Christ spoke about fresh wineskins for fresh wine. Often Christians are filled with the new wine of the Spirit, but carry old wineskins of patterns, behaviours and beliefs of the old. A very good way to renew our old selves is poring on scriptures. The truth will invariably replace the lies of old and consequently will changes beliefs and behaviours. We cannot leave behind the lies if we do not yet know the Truth.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

Raifiel Cyril is a writer, counsellor, member of national council Jesus Youth Australia and part of the Kairos Global Editorial Council. She lives with her husband, Cyril Abraham in Canberra, Australia.