Sitting with his closest friends, with the shadow of his own death looming in the upper room, Jesus lifted up his voice to the Father and uttered some of the most profound words of his ministry: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Life — to know and enjoy Jesus Christ.

This is the heartbeat of our Bible reading — to know and enjoy “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8), before whom even our greatest loves are considered nothing. This is the highest task of Bible reading, not to internalize a dry list of dos and donts, nor to find instruction or wisdom for living, but to know and enjoy more of God.

Habits of Grace

Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines

David Mathis

Though seemingly routine, the everyday “habits of grace” we cultivate give access to the God-designed channels through which his love and power flow.