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THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD
Today you can listen to many preachers, both in church and on television, on the YouTube channel, as well as read an interesting article on the Internet. For lovers of the paper version, you can subscribe to Christian newspapers and magazines, as well as purchase Christian books that cover various topics of daily life with God. With all this abundance of spiritual food, where you hear many voices, opinions and teachings, it may seem strange, but today, you meet more and more people walking in the darkness of confusion and chaos. The question arises, “There are so many opinions and contradictions. What should I believe?” As a result, doubts come, and a believer, over time, even loses faith and goes into the world, continuing to walk in the darkness of uncertainty and disillusion. Jesus Christ spoke about the fact that He is the living and true Word, giving people peace, hope, confidence and unshakable faith.
According to statistics, fewer and fewer Evangelical Christians regularly read the Bible and few who can actually say clearly what they believe. The reason for this, according to the same polls, is ignorance of the Scriptures. And this is not surprising, since people are accustomed to listening to sermons in comfort at the click of a mouse, or they think they have received enough edification during the Sunday service. Having received such nourishment, few people think whether what they have heard corresponds to the Scriptures or not. The Bible calls us to test everything.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Only that person knows how and where to go whose path is illuminated in the darkness of the confused and wandering world. But this is a territory of quicksand of instability and uncertainty, where you cannot declare something with the authority of truth, because everyone has an individual opinion and everything is considered relative.
What is this light and what does it show us? The Apostle Matthew, speaking about the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ, quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matt. 4:16) So, Jesus Christ is the very light in the midst of which people see themselves as they really are. And only those whose deeds are evil do not want to come to the light. One of Christ’s disciples John writes about this as follows, “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:20-21)
Hence we know that, in the light of the Word of God, we expose the works of darkness in order to get right with God and, by doing this, we come to a closer relationship with Him. Psalm of David 119:11 also testifies to this, saying, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” It is important not only to know the Scripture, but to keep it in your heart, so that by sowing a seed and giving a sprout, it could produce a lot of fruit in practical walk with the Lord. In Acts 13:47, it says, “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth’.” And that light is Jesus.
So why is it important to study Scripture? The Apostle Peter in his epistle writes, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). So, therefore, we need not only to read, but to love the Word of God in order to grow through it into salvation. Jesus Himself puts it this way, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39) Scripture study becomes a vital and critical issue directly related to our salvation and inheritance of eternal life.
Dear reader, perhaps you are wondering, “Do I need outside help in studying the Word of God?” Surely, the Scripture must be studied individually, going into your secret closet and asking the Lord in prayer to speak to your heart. However, a large volume of the Bible cannot be grasped in a short time, and for this reason there are instructors. Luke, one of the authors of the Gospel, became such an instructor for Theophilus, a new believer. We read about this in his narration in the first chapter, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4) To what purpose do we have such instructors? To have certainty concerning the things we have been taught. In other words, we must have the solid foundation of the doctrine and be grounded in truth. And in this matter, it is important to ask God to direct you to the right person who has a living relationship with Him.
Dear friend, this does not mean you have to fill your head with knowledge. In this light, you will see yourself and have the life of Christ, and in your heart receive the Kingdom of God, which in turn means that God becomes the King of Your heart, dwelling in it by His Holy Spirit. As a result, you gain life in Christ, which is not mere words or dead letters on paper, but your life, which becomes evidence of the change from the old man to the new creature. Such a life can impact many other souls winning them for Christ.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
If you have a desire to study the Bible and would like to ask any questions that interest you, you can submit such a request below.
May we walk in the light of His Word!
Max Volkov in Christ