I’ve been looking to do a post on Scripture Memory for some time now. Scripture memory is something that is very dear to me. One of the people who has influenced me the most in this spiritual discipline is my friend and former college pastor, Trace Hamiter. I’d like to talk through a few verses of the Bible to encourage you to memorize Scripture, as well as share my experience. I would encourage you both to read those, let the Word of God work its way into your heart and conscious, and then leave you with Trace’s video so that, for the sake of practicality, you can get to it! Trust me, this works. I thought I could never do Scripture memory! Now I have much of Ephesians, Psalm 1, Psalm 46, 2 Cor. 4, and over 100 other verses memorized! I started with just one. I never though I could do it; you might not think so either. You can, though, I promise you!

Ultimately, we need to remember that anything we do as far as spiritual disciplines is for the sake of holiness. Donald Whitney, professor at Southern Seminary, said recently in our Personal Spiritual Disciplines class,”Obedience is just another word for Christ-likeness.” Consider for a moment the obedience of Christ. If not for the obedience of Christ, we could not be justified before God. If not for his obedience, we would still be dead in our sins. If not for his obedience, we would be enemies of the Most High God! Praise the Lord that he was obedient!

So, quickly, let me give you some points and Scripture on why you should memorize the Scriptures. Then you can get on to this practical video.

1. To follow Jesus’ example: Christ himself memorized Scripture! He used it to refute Satan in Matthew 4:1-11.
2. To follow the Apostles’ example:
   Consider this: Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, quoted Scripture over 10 times! Take a moment and go read it for yourself in Acts 3. What an incredible example! That’s not to mention the quotation of Scripture in all of the Pauline and Johannine epistles, plus Hebrews and Jude (though not necessarily apostles, certainly fellow brothers in Christ of theirs).
3. For Life:
   Let me say this loud and clear: Scripture memory will not save you! Only trusting in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross will do that! With that said, the work of the Holy Spirit (at least in part) is to make us love the Lord and, therefore, his Word! In John 6:68, Peter says to Christ that his words are “the words of eternal life”. I’m saying this as shortly as possible, but hopefully concisely: You do not have to memorize Scripture to have life in Christ, but you have to to live (as in full, vibrant life in Christ) (Ps. 119:25).
4. To fight sin:
   “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. . . . I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:9,11)
   
5. For hope:Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. (Psalm 119:49)

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. (Psalm 119:81)

6. For joy: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)
7. To become like Christ:One of my favorite Scriptures is 2 Corinthians 3. The entire chapter is about the freedom that is found in Christ and wrought by the Holy Spirit of God. It ends like this: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) How can we behold the glory of the Lord, if not through his word?  As Psalm 46 says,”Come, behold the works of the LORD…”(Psalm 46:8). This is reference to what God has done! That is contained in the Word!
8. It is the Word of God: “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)

This is perhaps the most important points of all of them. This is not good advice or a helpful quote. These are the very words of God! 

Scripture Memory system from FBCOCollege on Vimeo.

Maybe this will inspire you:

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