Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Studying To Understand The Word of God

We are told to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15). We cannot know anything unless we are exposed to it. We can be very intellectual concerning world affairs but, arbitrarily, the Word of God will not penetrate a keen intellect; it will, however, pierce quickly an honest and good heart.

In the parable of the sower, after the various bad soils which represent poor‑quality hearts (hearts, meaning one's intellect) ore described, Jesus talked of the heart He seeks. He said, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).

To study and understand the Word of God requires an honest and good heart (mind, intellect). We must hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). The Word of God, nor understanding the Word of God is going to come to us arbitrarily, we must put forth an effort: First, in desiring the Word of God (I Peter 2:2). Second, by setting aside a special time of the day for study, and adhere to it. Thirdly, avoid just arbitrarily unselective reading.

Acquire a good Bible concordance along with a Bible dictionary and then study the Bible by subjects, i.e. faith, repentance, confession, baptism, the establishment of the Lord's church, the adding of those to his church in the first century, what people did in order to be added to the Lord's church, the many conversions listed in the book of Acts, and the last act of obedience each did before becoming a Christian, etc., using your Bible concordance to direct you to every Scripture in reference to the particular subject you are studying and then with the use of the Bible dictionary you will have a better understanding of the subject.

This requires patience and time but the results will well be worth the effort. Try it. This writer, for many years, has set aside the early hours of the day for study. He has not learned it all, he never will, but he can tell you what the Bible says on what we must do to be saved, and if everyone of us knows this and obeys it, the Lord will add us to His Church (Acts 2:47).

We then are Christians and Christians only, and then if we live a faithful Christian life, we will be saved (Rev. 2:10). The Bible is somewhat like a physicians prescription, the pharmacists, in filling the prescription, will not add to or delete from the prescription, but will follow it to the "T", for it is our body that is at stake. And so it is with the Bible, when we study It, we must NOT add to nor delete from It, we must follow Its direction to the "T", for it is our soul that is at stake. Study It, believe It, and OBEY It.