Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. There are probably very few homes
in the United States that do not contain at least one Bible.
It is the most quoted single book in the world. The majority
of people in our nation, at least in the South, would claim to
believe that the Bible is true. There are hundreds, even thousands
of churches that have vacation Bible schools each summer and
Sunday schools each week where supposedly at least the Bible
is taught. There's perhaps not a state in our nation that does
not have at least one Bible school or seminary. The Bible is the
very basis upon which many of the laws of our nation are founded.
Many politicians make a habit of quoting from it quite often
when they see an opportunity to gain popularity by doing so.
Yet there is no book in all the world that is more neglected
and ignored than the Bible which contains the Holy Scriptures.
This is not a phenomenon which only affects unbelievers, but
is also a glaring problem among many who profess to be the followers
of Christ. Nothing astounds me any more
than the lack of knowledge of the Scriptures which infects
many of those who claim that the Bible is the very textbook
of their lives. It seems to me that there is
no greater shame for a follower of Jesus Christ than neglecting
the study of that book which He has given us as a written
testimony of His Word. Did he not say, if you love me,
keep my commandments? Yet how can we expect to know
what he expects of us if we're too busy with other pursuits
to even take time to read it? In the early days of Christianity,
not many people had access to or the necessary literacy to
read the scriptures. Such is not the case today, but
many have grown lazy, expecting that they will rely on the study
of others rather than searching the scriptures for themselves.
This is a sluggard's practice, not to mention a dangerous one,
for there are many false prophets and wolves among the sheep whose
desire is to scatter the flock of God with false doctrine. Some
teachers who desire to have the preeminence of clergical distinctions
or of the mindset that it is dangerous to encourage the flock
to study it without their direction and guidance. Many substitute
the reading and studying of the books that other men have written
about the Scriptures for the reading of the Scriptures themselves.
It is the exception rather than the rule to find very many Bible
studies which use the Scriptures exclusively without other guiding
material. There is nothing at all wrong
with reading and studying books about the scriptures, but we
should not allow that form of study to replace the actual perusal
of the Word itself, nor should it ever take precedence over
it. One of the reasons that men rely heavily on the scholarship
of others is the fact that an understanding of Holy Writ only
comes by revelation, not natural learning. Because of this fact,
it is simpler and quicker just to read the revelation given
to someone else without taking time and effort to pray and study.
This is a more trouble-free method of learning, but produces multitudes
who have heads full of doctrines and practices, rather than hearts
that are humbled before the Lord. This is not to say that God does
not use human teachers, but spiritual illumination cannot be imparted
by men. Only God, through the work of
His Holy Spirit, can accomplish this task. The best study aid
for helping us to understand the Holy Scriptures is prayer.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do
well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts, knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in
old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost. If they could not write it without
the moving of the Holy Ghost, then it is certain that we cannot
understand it without the same. As the Spirit enlightens us,
the Scriptures will guide us and shape our lives by doctrine,
sound teaching and learning. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth
in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. The scriptures will guide us and shape our lives by reproof. The Greek word literally means
a proof or conviction. For as much as many have taken
in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things
which are most surely believed among us, that thou mightest
know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.
The Scripture will guide us and shape our lives by correction.
All of us are prone to get sidetracked and out of the pathway from time
to time. The Lord uses the Scriptures
to bring us back. And finally, the Scriptures will
guide us and shape our lives by an instruction in righteousness.
We are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned
with the world. Do you love His Word? For a free
CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.