As I study God's Word, I realize if we allow ourselves, it is easy to read the Bible as a fascinating storybook - which it is; but it's not meant only for our entertainment. By the same token, we can have this same attitude toward our study of Scripture. This attitude seems to be quite prevalent in the church today. We disregard the fact that our reading and study of the Holy Bible is mainly for our enlightenment. However, we must first enlist our Teacher, God the Holy Spirit, to enliven the Word to our heart. Then we are to become engaged with the Scriptures until our desire is to enact them in our daily living. Finally, we must entreat the Holy Spirit to enable us to achieve these goals.
"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:9-12
That is the difference. That is how we, as CHRISTians, are victorious in life, how we overcome sin, how we can rejoice in our circumstances - no matter what they are. Praise God for His Holy Spirit!! This is how we are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. This is how we grow closer to God our heavenly Father.
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." 2 Peter 1:2-4
Bible study is costly. It takes time, energy, determination. Inductive Bible study requres real diligence, a sincere heartfelt desire to do it and focused commitment in the face of every obstacle we encounter along the way. And there will be obstacles! Some we know are simply the work of satan to distract our attention and shipwreck our faith. Others will actually be things that are not bad, and maybe even necessary, however the timing is just not the best. Still others will be of our own doing when we fail to apply self discipline and spend time doing something that is easier but of no lasting value. Oh, but when we put in the time to study, the rewards are not only life changing but eternal as well!!
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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