Be
a Student of God’s Word
Do you realize that
if you are a true New Testament Christian you are in a very small minority in
the world? If you are a true Christian that has read the entire Bible you are
in a very, very small minority in our world. Many so-called Christians are
Biblically illiterate. One of the most critical problems in the world today is
a lack of Bible knowledge. Have you read the Bible and has it had any influence
in your life? Study the Bible for yourself! This will surely make you one of an
exclusive few. "Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
The
Bible is God's inspired word. Revelation was the means by which God made known
to the world His word. Reading is the means by which that word is learned. Paul
wrote, “How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have
briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to
the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles
and prophets.” (Ephesians 3:3-5) The Bible is a library of 66 books, all with
the theme of salvation in Christ.
Why
should we be a student of God's word?
We should study the Bible because it
is God's word. God has spoken through the Bible.
"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom
He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”
(Hebrews 1:1-2) Knowledge of God and an understanding of His requirements for
our life come from studying His word. The chief priest and scribes asked Jesus,
"By what authority doest thou these things? and
who gave thee this authority?" (Matthew 21:23) Authority from God is
needed in all religious actions. The word of God warns us against false
religious authority and teachers of error. It also stresses the need for
obedience to God's constituted religious authority.
We should study the Bible because it
is God's final and complete message to man.
God, by His divine power, "has given to us all things
that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us
by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:3) Everything one needs to know to
serve God here and go to heaven hereafter is found in the Bible. The Bible is
the word of God. In Jude 1:3 in the American Standard Version we read,
"Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common
salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the
saints."
We
should study the Bible because it reveals God's plan of salvation.
God
has a simple plan for saving man. Jesus said, "Go into all
the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and
is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
(Mark 16:15-16) Most religious bodies do not teach God's plan of salvation. An
example of this is what is taught about baptism by the largest denomination in
the south. In their own words they say, "Baptism does not help a person to
be saved or to become a Christian."
We
should study the Bible because it is God's way of providing spiritual
understanding. God’s word lights the way to heaven.
"The entrance of Your words give light; It gives
understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130) All spiritual questions must
be answered from the Bible. Do you want to know how to worship? Read your
Bible. Do you want to know how to recognize the one church Jesus promised to
build? Read the Bible.
Do
you study the Bible with a strong desire to learn? Those that prepare for
heaven must have an honest heart and an open Bible. Once you learn what to do
you must obey. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things
which He suffered. And having been
perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews
5:8-9) To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe
in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord
(Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to wash away your sins. (Acts 22:16) After
baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Matthew
10:22)
By Charles Box,
Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box, 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA