Why study the Bible?
This is a question asked far too often, especially by those who are young in the faith. The argument is that so long as they go to church or a good Sunday school class, then time in God's word during the week is not important. This is terribly and dangerously incorrect, and while I can illustrate that from many passages throughout the Bible, I will focus on just one, 2nd Timothy 3:16-4:5.
In this passage, Paul declared, "For all scriptures is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting an training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2nd Timothy 3:16-17)." By this Paul aimed to establish clearly that the Holy Scriptures were indisputably, infallibly, and authoritatively the very words of God. For, he wanted Timothy to know that God's word, the scriptures, is capable of achieving good and powerful things. First and foremost we must remember that we read and study our Bible for that very reason. It is the very word of God and is capable of achieving not only good things, but powerful things for our lives, as well as the lives of those we touch daily. Paul confirms this when he said "so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Again, we study God's word not only because God is capable of doing powerful things in our lives, but that we might be thoroughly equipped to do such powerful things in the lives of others as well. God's Word is a powerhouse; a constant source of inexhaustible energy, and best of all, its free for the taking. All we need is to get plugged in. Next, I want you to take note of Paul's forceful speech. He wrote, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suite their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. But you, keep your head in al situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry (2nd Timothy 4:1-5)." It should be obvious from the words, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom", that Paul wanted Timothy to view these instructions with the utmost urgency. He did not want Timothy to confuse what he was about to say with the mere words of Paul; rather, he wanted him to see that he was speaking with the authority of God Himself. Why such urgency? Paul explained, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine." A time will come, and has come already, when people will stand in front of congregations and preach what edifies and gratifies themselves, with no concern for those who are listening. They surround themselves with those who will support what they want to be truth, and not the truth itself. They preach for selfish motives; not to build up, but to destroy. And like Paul, we need to defend the truth (Philippians 1:15-16) against such people. God's word is our defense against those who aim to lay a foundation other than that which has already been laid; meaning the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul echoes this same warning to Titus when he wrote, "He (referring to the elders that Titus will appoint) must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9)." Most of all, we study the Bible, God's Word, so that we can be "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (1st Timothy 3:15)." It is only through God's Word that we get to know Him and His son. Therefore, our studies are necessary for being thoroughly equipped to impact the world around us with the truth and power of the gospel message. And it is a necessity for fruitful living, for this power blesses everyone who comes into contact with it; from those who preach it to those who receive it. [mp]
Copyright © 2005
Michael D'Urbano
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www.modernpapyrus.org
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