All
scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished
unto all good works.
II
Timothy 3:16,17
It
was the sunniest day, a happy day made happier by the fact that I
received a box from my Aunt Lee. I couldn't tell from the shape what
could be in the box but I was more than excited when I opened it a
there was a new Bible. I had been saved for one year and still
didn't have a Bible which really wasn't unusual in those days. Most
children, age 10 didn't have one. I loved the Bible though without
having owned one. I like many of you when very young sang the little
chorus below that spoke fondly of the Bible. I'm not sure the words
of that little song meant as much to me in my younger years as it
does now. Remember??
The
B-I-B-L-E
Yes,
that's the Book for me.
I
stand alone on the Word of God,
The
B-I-B-L-E.
Now
I'll probably be humming that tune for the next week because it is a
catchy little song.
My
question though is: “How can we stand on the Bible when we know so
little of it?” A lady friend once said to me that she wished she
knew as much of the Bible as I do. I had news for her. I told her I
would like to know the Bible as well as Billy Graham, Charles
Spurgeon or Dwight L. Moody. I would like to know the Bible like
most seminary professors know it. However, wishing doesn't make it
so.
I
wish I could make us all realize a simple fact and I include myself
in this realization. The simple fact is this: WE CAN KNOW THE BIBLE
AS WELL AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR IN THE WORLD IF WE
WANT TO. No one can know any more about the Bible than what is
contained in our own Bibles cover to cover. Let's explore how this
can come about. Believe me that I don't mean to discount all the
wonderful knowledge the most intelligent has accumulated. I do
believe there are some things we can do to get us on the road knowing
the Bible better.
There
are some basic things we need in order for us to know the Bible
better than we've ever known it before. First of all, to
really know and understand anything in the Bible, we must have had a
salvation experience with Jesus, thus having the presence of the Holy
Spirit IN us. Jesus told His disciples before He was taken captive
by Roman soldiers that He would be leaving but would send a
Comforter. This Comforter would be the teacher and interpreter of
all Jesus had taught which by the way, includes the Old Testament as
well as the new. Jesus is God...God is the author of the entire
book.
But
the Comforter, which is
the
Holy Spirit, whom the father
will
send in my name, he shall
teach
you all things, and bring
all
things to your remembrance,
whatsoever
I have said unto you.
John
14:26
Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth is
come,
he will guide you into all truth:
John
16:13a
Every time we sit down to read our Bibles, we should invite our teacher, the Holy Spirit, to interpret and teach us what He wants us to know from what we are reading. Our reading can be dull and boring without His guiding us through our reading/study process.
Secondly,
we must be literate people in some way. Otherwise, we must be able
to read. If we can't read, we can hear the Bible read through CD's
or other recordings. If someone is blind, she can listen to CD's or
even learn to read the Bible in braille. So we must have the means
to take in through eyes, ears or both the written Word of God.
Thirdly, we need a good, personal copy of the Bible. This can be the most confusing thing of all. Let me encourage you to purchase a Bible that will wear well, has appropriate type and is the translation you are comfortable with. In our day, there are new translations and study Bibles coming out almost every week. Please don't fall into the trap of having to change Bibles every time another Bible comes out. When your Bible gets too marked up, get another one. Your Bible isn't meant to be your best friend...it's a tool...and when a tool wears out, another new one is needed but keep to the same translation.
Take
notes in a journal if you can do that without losing your train of
thought. What you retain mentally is far more important than what
you write down on paper.
The
Bible is meant to be many things to us, meeting many needs from
different angles. In closing, from Psalm 19:7-10.
The
law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The
statutes 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
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More
to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much
fine
gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
All
we need to know to live this wonderful life in Christ is available to
us on every page of His Word. Whether Old or New Testament, the
character and desires of God for us are right there to learn, to know
and to put into everyday practical living.
Thank
You Lord Jesus for Your precious Word to us. It isn't going to help
us if we leave it lay for days on end without reading it. Convict us
of our need to be in Your Word that will strengthen in every way.
Help me to not only read it but to put it into practice in every day
life. Thank You for Your being You and for loving me beyond my
comprehension. Amen
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