Study the bible (pt.2)
The first step in committing to regular Bible
study is to understand it’s purpose. We discovered in
Part 1 that this is approval before God (2 Tim 2:15). The question that logically
follows this commitment is, ‘how do I study my Bible?’ This could be further defined
by two follow up questions; ‘what should my attitude be?’ and ‘what methods are
available to me?’ Let’s consider the first of these now.
This is a matter for the heart. When opening
any book we might legitimately ask, ‘what do I want to get out of this?’ But we
have already established that Bible study is about what God wants us to get out
of His book - His approval! So how might we regulate our hearts so that we are
able to achieve that purpose?
Firstly, we should do so prayerfully. Step
one is to ask God to reveal Himself in His word to us, and to confess that we
can’t do it on our own. This is what He intends, so this prayer is according to
His will (1 John 5:14).
Secondly, we should do so humbly. We are
engaging with something that is eternal. It belongs to another realm, yet God
has deigned to intersect the time-space continuum not only in flesh and blood,
but also in paper and ink! We should not suppose to
know what God intends, but allow Him to speak to us. Nor should we try to fit
God within our conception of sound logic. God is outside of us and cannot be
limited to human intellect. We should be conscious of the fact that although we
have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, our minds are fallen and corrupted, and
liable to conclude something that sounds right by our standard of
righteousness. To fail in this regard is to commit a fatal error: we assume
that we have all the knowledge available to us that God has available to Him,
and that we have infinite powers of comprehension.
This is patently untrue.
Next we should do so carefully. Many errant
doctrines originate from a lack of attention to detail in the text. We should
compare scripture with scripture (precept upon precept) and where a verse
appears to say something that is contrary to that subject in the rest of the
Bible, accept that it must mean something else, and wait for God to reveal it
to us. He might do this once we understand the context of the passage, or He might
do so once we understand something of the truth practically. Or not until we
are glorified!
Finally we should do so enthusiastically.
Often we show enthusiasm and dedication for the most banal of subjects and
pursuits. How much more should we have an appetite for God’s word?
These four principles for the heart will help
us enter the right frame of mind to achieve God’s purpose in studying His word;
His approval, and our greater devotion to Him.