Three Simple Steps To Being A Reliable Outstanding Expert in Religious Matters

Ezra 7:10 – For Ezra had devoted himself to the STUDY and OBSERVANCE of the Law of the LORD, and to TEACHING its decrees and laws in Israel.

Ezra is heavily praised as an outstanding expert in religious matters. A trustworthy man. A responsible man. A man the king chose to go back to Israel to reestablish worship of Yahweh. How did Ezra get to this level?

Ezra was also given great powers to help him. He was given authority to take anyone with him. He was given royal protection. He was given huge sums of gold, silver, and other valuables. All these because he was a reliable outstanding expert in religious matters. How did Ezra get to this level?

The Bible tells us in today’s text that Ezra had three simple consistent practices. These three practices brought him to this level of an outstanding expert who could be relied upon. Consistency is key. Before we delve into the three practices, take note that consistency is key. Without consistency, nothing will work.

Ezra 7:6 – this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher WELL VERSED IN THE LAW of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, FOR THE HAND OF THE LORD HIS GOD WAS ON HIM.

Other than consistency, the Bible also tells us that the hand of the LORD was with him. This chapter reveals that while Ezra had practices that made him a reliable outstanding expert, in the background was God’s favor upon him. The hand of the LORD was with him. After doing everything right, you won’t go very far towards success without success. The three simple steps we are focusing on require consistency and God’s favor. What are these simple steps?

Ezra 7:10 – For Ezra had devoted himself to the STUDY and OBSERVANCE of the Law of the LORD, and to TEACHING its decrees and laws in Israel.

The first on is STUDY. Ezra was devoted to study. He sacrificed time and resources to study. He devoted himself to study. Devoted suggests effort. It wasn’t easy and obvious. It didn’t just happen.

Devote yourself to study. Set aside time. Set an alarm. Have a study plan. Buy resources required. Consult teachers to clarify what you don’t understand. Where necessary go to School and be taught. You must be devoted to study. Casual study will not help you. Devoted study is consistent and it will yield the desired results. Have a Bible study plan and stick to it through all challenges!

Secondly, OBSERVANCE, of what he studied. Putting to practice what you have learnt. Be the first beneficiary of the information you have gathered. Be convinced that what you have studied is worth implementing in your life.

Ezra studied and practiced what he learnt. The only evidence that what you learnt is worthwhile is when you yourself put it into practice. You become the first beneficiary of your study.

Did you study about integrity? Immediately seek to be a person of integrity. Be what you studied. Don’t proceed with study if you haven’t become what you already know. Forgive as you learnt in your study. Be impartial as you learnt in your study. Be prayerful as you learnt in your study. Be the embodiment of the knowledge you have acquired!

Thirdly, Ezra TAUGHT. What did Ezra teach? He taught what he had studied and already put in practice. Do not teach unless you have studied it and have put it into practice in your own life.

If you teach what you studied and are practicing, you become very effective and influential. Your lifestyle becomes a teaching aid. Authoritative teaching is driven by devoted study and practice of what was studied. Without being preceded by study and practice, any teaching is unconvincing and suspect! Powerless!

Your lifestyle shouldn’t contradict your teachings. Before and after teaching, we are observed for evidence that our lesson is applicable. We can’t teach against corruption and we are known to be corrupt. We can’t teach about willing to preach the gospel everywhere yet we are known to select lucrative places over others. We can’t teach about the need to preach the whole gospel, when we only dwell on a few favorite topics. We can’t teach about love and we are known to hold grudges and are vengeful. We only teach what we study and practice!

Through those three simple steps, Ezra became a reliable outstanding religious expert. May God enable us by His favor to consistently follow these three steps. May we too be reliable outstanding religious experts. In Jesus’s name, Amen!

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