A Closer Walk With God
Studying The Bible
An important element involved in our walk with God is Bible study. Some new Christians find difficulty getting started in this area, but this is an important duty, one which the Bible emphasizes - Ac 2:42 "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."; 1 Pe 2:2 "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation--."
Why is Bible study important? The word of God possesses the power of "sanctification". "Sanctification" means "to set apart"; as used in the Bible, to set apart for God's purpose. The Word of God is the means by which does this is done. As praised by David in his psalm - Psa 19:7-11 "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." As mentioned in the prayer of Jesus - Jn 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." -- If we are to be useful to God, then we need to study His Word!
The word of God possesses the power of "preservation". A lack of knowledge has always destroyed the people of God - Hos 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." But the "young" can keep their ways pure by the Word of God - Psa 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." And the "elders" were exhorted to keep the church by the Word - Ac 20:28-32 "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." -- A first step towards backsliding is neglecting God's Word!
The word of God possesses the power of "salvation" and "condemnation". Received properly, it can save our souls! - Ja 1:21 "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." It will be the standard by which we will be judged - Jn 12:48 "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." Will the Word save us, or will it condemn us? Careful study and application of the Bible makes the difference!
Why is Bible study so often neglected? Some just "take the preacher's word". For this reason, they do not study for themselves. Most preachers are good men, but they can still be wrong - Ac 18:24-26 "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately." It is our responsibility to "test the spirits" and to be able to identify "false apostles" - 1 Jn 4:1-2 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,".; 2 Co 11:13-15 "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."
Some say "they can't get anything out of the Bible". This may be because they read it so little, or because they do not know how to go about studying it. Often it is because they do not use a modern English translation. Most have simply made little effort to understand it. Yet Paul assumed that people could understand it if they read it - Ep 3:3-4 "how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,".
Some say "they don't have the time". People who do study are busy too, but they leave off things that are less important. As Jesus commanded, we must put the things of the kingdom of God first - Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." There is really no excuse for neglecting the Word of God. In view of its importance, we would be foolish to do so.
Having looked at some reasons given for not studying the Bible we will look at some ways we can study the Bible when we continue this lesson.
