WHY DO YOU SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES?

Jesus says whoever doesn't live in Him is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned (John 15:6). Scripture is much more important than to just to be studied and forgotten. It is not like studying to pass an examination. We commit to memory facts for a quiz, and forget them when the competition is over. But the Word of God is to be meditated upon in our heart (Psalms 1:1-5). It must be hid in our hearts (Psalms 119:11). We need to pray for open minds in our study (Psalms 119:18). One must always be careful in study not to become so carried away with details that he misses the main point.

One wrong motive in Bible study is trying to win an argument with someone else about Scripture. The motive of God and His servant is to win souls, not arguments (Proverbs 11:30). We are told to avoid foolish arguments (2 Timothy 2:23-26). Another wrong motive is trying to prove that what we already believe is right. We need to go to the Word with an open mind, ready to learn and willing to change our beliefs, ideas, and life to fit the Word. God is right and so His Word. Men are only right to the degree that they conform to the Word. The third wrong motive is finding pet Scriptures which we use to the exclusion of other Scriptures. The Jews were guilty of this error on several occasions (John 7:25-27; 5:42). Even Satan quoted Scripture in tempting Jesus to sin (Matthew 4:5, 6). The whole of God’s Word is true. To set one Scripture against another is like God arguing with Himself. It is a gross misuse of Scripture.

The Jews thought they had eternal life from their study, but they were wrong. They had refused the very Source of life (John 5:39, 40). The people in Berea examined the Scriptures to test their beliefs (Acts 17:11). Paul also told the Thessalonians to examine everything carefully (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We must study the Scripture with a desire to change. Bible study that does not change us is not correct. Studying is never to be simply a matter of learning. It is a matter of life. It should bring us to a personal relationship with Christ, the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14). Probably none of us study the Bible enough. We need to make an effort to study more and study better!

Word Affirmation: “ And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." - Hosea 2:23 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“ Bible study that does not change us is not correct. "

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