The Bible can build us up and give us an inheritance among all of us who are sanctified (Acts 20:32). When proper use of the Scripture is exercised the result is faith, hope and love which rests in understanding those things that are authorized for the life and works taught by the law of Christ. This is true only because of the life-giving Spirit whom we must follow; He gives life to those who obey the Gospel (Romans 8). Those who choose not to comply with the teaching of the grace which has appeared to everyone have decided upon the ungodliness that can only separate them from God (Titus 2:11; Isaiah 59:2). The faithful Christian walks not by what he sees in this temporal world but rather by the faith providing spiritual insight towards the Paradise to come (2 Corinthians 5:7). The faith we acquire is by learning the Bible (Romans 10:17). Additionally, Hebrews stipulates that without faith, pleasing God is impossible (Hebrews 11:6). Consider these points: (a) We walk by faith; (b) We acquire faith by Bible learning; and (c) Without faith it is impossible to please God. Without a Bible education we cannot have faith and therefore cannot walk by that faith. Faith, hope and love are only possible through educating ourselves in Scripture.
Knowledge precedes but does not always equal faith. For certain there are many who are always learning and never come to understand the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). Still, there are many who do know the truth but forget to believe and obey the truth. Some who were once full of radiant hope have fallen so far away from the Lord that there is no return for them (Hebrews 6:4-6). Also, in 1 Corinthians 13 we learn that without love we are only a bunch of noise. Hope is not a blind fortune. I may hope to get a raise at work or to eat the next day. I may hope to see my kids graduate. All hope in this life is nothing but an empty wish. Hope for Heaven, however, is different. It is rooted in a faith that knows with absolute certainty that one will go to Heaven. Judgment day is a beautiful promise exclusively to those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit, ensuring a rich spiritual inheritance. It is imperative to understand the Bible properly.
The Bible is not entirely complicated with the practice of solid and sound study. The more common word we use today is to reason or think correctly. That’s all God expects in studious reflection on the special revelation of Truth. What I mean by special revelation is the fact that the Bible is not originated with humans but is the very breath of God (2 Timothy 3:16). All of this is known by “scholars” as hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is a system used to understand the Bible. God calls us to reason (Isaiah 1:18). He also gives direct and indirect commands that authorize or condemn a practice in our lives or worship services. In Colossians 3:17 we read, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. Based upon the account in Acts 4:7-10, the phrase in the name of is the same as saying by the authority of. It is Scriptural to say that each of us is obligated to do literally everything by the authorization of the law of Christ. We often emphasize worship in an article such as this one. However, let us not forget the Bible places great importance on living every day in accordance with command, example and necessary inference. Faith, hope and love must be built on the foundation of truth. We are zealous for authority on how we worship. That’s great; we should be. However, we must also prod ourselves again, and seek an awareness of how strongly the law of faith demands everyday life to be in complete compliance with God’s commands. How we conduct our affairs must be in harmony with the law of Christ. Let me place a challenge to you dear reader. Where in Scripture do you turn for authority to any such and such thing that you do in life? For instance, the nap that you have taken recently, did you have biblical precedence to take it? You probably did because Jesus retreated to be alone at various times (Matthew 14:13). I’d say you didn’t have permission, however, if you are a lazy glutton of a person (Titus 1:12-13). Dear reader, the Bible is our guide on how to conduct a godly life.
“Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16.
Learn God’s Bible correctly. The only way to do so is to shed all opinions and preconceptions and look at it with child-like eyes, having an honest study. Your hope depends upon it. Search to understand God’s way on how to love. The Lord’s commandments are not so difficult. It’s we who complicate things. I know for a fact that God would not give us a Book we could not understand. That would be vain and God is not vain. God loves and wants to build us up through the Scripture.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
That single verse encompasses everything presented in this short article. God bless your day.
Donny Weimar
