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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Why study the Bible? |
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DesertRat Forum-Blogger© Pioneer100© Member 
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After-all, isn;t it just a book of ancient literature; a collection of fables and myths intermingled with instructions on morality? No, far from it actually. If we are going to attempt to have an online bible study here, I thought it might be good to look at just why we as Christians, should study the Bible. For you non-Christians reading this, it may bring you a better understanding of this awesome book. The following is an excerpt from the book "Curing the heart; a model for biblical counseling" by H. Eyrich and W. Hines THE BIBLE AS LIVING AND DYNAMIC The Word of God is not simply a cognitive exercise. We are not advocating reciting Scripture as though it were a secret mantra. It is much more than literature. The Word of God, the Bible, is said to be alive and powerful. It is God’s Word, at work in the believer through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that brings about a fundamental change in the person. How does the Word take root within the heart of a person and help him grow in Christ? We can discover the answers in the letter to the Hebrews. A quick review of chapters 3 and 4 of Hebrews will help set the stage. Here we discovered that the Israelites did not enter God’s rest because they missed out on a few key elements needed to enter God’s rest. They did not combine faith and obedience. It is reflected clearly when the writer says in 3:18–19, And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief (emphasis added). It is interesting to note that obedience and unbelief are interchanged. They did not enter because they did not obey; they could not enter because of unbelief. Obedience and unbelief are interchanged. This is a particularly interesting connection as we consider the life-giving properties of God’s Word. We want those we try to help to believe from the heart so that they will be truly changed (Ephesians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5). We do not want them to be included in the warning of verse 11, Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. With the warning of verse 11 in mind the writer goes directly to a discussion of the Word of God and its life-giving properties. The principle is clear that if we want to assure ourselves of not falling short in disobedience we need a relationship with the Word of God such as is described in the following verses. With that in mind we will examine these words. The Word of God is living … God’s Word has life-giving properties. When combined with faithful obedience (see also verses 3:18–19; 4:6–7) it has the effect of growing within us, producing spiritual life for those who partake of it in faith. As God’s living Word has its effect in me, it will drive out evil practices and attitudes and replace them with something that is living and vital and comes from the very heart of God. In 1 Peter 1:23, Peter says that, … having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever… Peter too, refers to God’s Word as living. The Word of God is powerful … God’s Word is living and it is also powerful, or active. The word from which powerful comes is the same root word from which we get the word energy. There is an energy to God’s Word so that it accomplishes what it is supposed to do. As Isaiah spoke of God’s words he said: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (55:11). Just as God spoke the creation into being with the power of His Word: By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth… For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast (Psalm 33:6, 9). God creates with the power of His Word. If His Word can create the world, the cosmos, and everything in it, His Word can certainly do in us what it is meant to do. The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword … The Word is said to be a sword in Ephesians 6:17 as part of the armor used in spiritual warfare. The use of the sword metaphor is apt since it is a weapon that can be both offensive and defensive. As the sword was used to block the blows of the opponent’s sword it was also used to thrust a blow into the body. So it is with the Word of God. Jesus used the Word when resisting the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4). When Peter faithfully proclaimed the Word of God in the sermon on Pentecost the response of those who heard was telling: Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). God’s Word is sharp. It can destroy or do the delicate surgery that the spiritual heart needs. Which brings us to the next image used… The Word of God … piercing even to the division of soul and spirit … This sword pierces in such a way so as to divide in the most minute detail. The point of the image is to say that that which man cannot distinguish the Word of God can. God knows what needs to be done and His Word can accomplish the task. The Word of God … is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart … Not only does the Word dig deep, not only does it cut both ways but it is capable of uncovering and bringing forth our true motives. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). This uncovering is important for what disease can be cured if it is not first of all correctly diagnosed. Perhaps the reader has seen this lived out as a person comes to grips with the depth of his own sinfulness before a holy God. We have seen an awareness of personal sin bring a flood of tears that touches the heart of the most calloused person. But it is also our experience that when the reality of the depth of God’s merciful grace is understood to completely cover that sin, the relief and joy is indescribable. God calls us to account. It is compassionate to expose sin because we can lead them to a most merciful God who will deal with their sin in a most gracious way if they are open to His mercy. But how do we lead them to this understanding? The skilled counselor will use the Word of God to do so. For all our persuasive speech we are no match for the living Word. Show them their sin in the Word of God and, as they begin to see, show them the provision of a merciful heavenly Father who has provided a way out of their condemnation (Romans 5:8; 8:1). The result of God’s Word at work is freedom … The Psalmist declares the freedom that is found in God’s Word: • I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts (119:45 niv). • Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (119:105 niv). • Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble (119:165 niv). This freedom is the freedom to love and enjoy God by faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6) by the person who has been freed from the reign of sin in his life (Romans 6). The result of God’s Word at work is knowledge of God’s will… We know God by combining information about God with faithful obedience (Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 11:6). The Apostle tells us: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1–2). As a man’s mind is renewed by the Word of God combined with holy living, he will be changed and begin to think more and more like Christ and live in a way which is consistent with His will. In the discourse of Jesus concerning the truth He made it clear that knowledge of the truth requires the obedience of a true disciple. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). It is our experience that counselees often want to know the answer to their problems without knowing God. The counselor must not give in to the desire, no matter how well intentioned, of letting the counselee seek happiness or contentment above obedience and true discipleship. True freedom — the freedom to love and enjoy God in the performance of His will — is experienced through the true knowledge of God and His Word. It requires hard work and faithful commitment. The result of God’s Word at work is devotion to the living God Those who are made alive by the work of the Word of God in their lives are not to flaunt their freedom or use it in some way unbecoming the Lord (Ephesians 4:1) but they are to live in gratitude to the God who has set them free. As we read in the following portions of Scripture: • Then those who gladly received His Word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:41–42). • O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God; through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24–25). • Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God (1 Peter 2:16). Eyrich, H., & Hines, W. (2002). Curing the heart : A model for biblical counseling (29). Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications. (Ch 3)
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JustifiedByFaith Pioneer100© Member  Without Jesus we fall short...
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Yes! The Word Of God is powerful and cuts to the heart. It is living and changes lives. John 6:63 Jesus tells us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
 Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4 |
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1jester Pioneer100© Member  Pilgrim Sojourner
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God's word is not only living, but completely appropriate for all ages. It's contemporary and germane to our daily lives. Praise the Lord!!
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Matthew 22:37-39 |
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JustifiedByFaith Pioneer100© Member Without Jesus we fall short...
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The question of "Why study the bible?" also has it's answer in the bible.  The Apostle Paul tells young Timothy to "Preach the word." Of course, Timothy could not do this without spending time in the Bible. We know that the Old Testament was the bible at that time and the Apostles would not only study it but reference it's texts to the Jews and Gentiles showing them it's prophesies regarding Jesus and His fulfillments as the Messiah. We also see in 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul saying to Timothy "...that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1jester pointed out that God's word is for ALL ages. The other reason is that the bible is "spiritual food" for the soul. The Apostle Peter said, " As newborn babes, desire., the sincere milk of the world that you may grow thereby." The word or "milk" of the word is what makes us "grow spiritually". Desire the sincere milk of the word. 
Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4 |
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JustifiedByFaith Pioneer100© Member Without Jesus we fall short...
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How can anyone grow spiritually in Christ without feeding on His word? If Peter tells us to "desire" the nutritional/milk food that comes from reading the word of God the question would then be "How does anyone grow in God without it"???
Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4 |
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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Why study the Bible? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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