From
the time, I was a young boy, the Bible was to me the most interesting book in
the world, and though some years have gone by since I first knew my sins were
forgiven, no other book has ever displaced it in my affections. As a young man
I have had many questions about the bible contents, “What is the purpose
behind all of these stories? Are they simply fairy tales? Did God supply the
stories to break the monotony between families and laws”? Can it help me with those emotional hornets
still swarming around within me? What about that separation anxiety, loss of
identity and immeasurable tears?
I have seen many dark days,
but maybe that’s what makes Jesus shine that much brighter. I had heard about my
savior, first by my mom reading/singing his glories words to me. I was being
set free. I have been showed a love that promises to never leave or forsake me
by mentors, teachers and pastors who many times modeled it in my life, again
the examples of the words. I know, without any hesitation, that I am loved
despite what I have done and what has been done to me. I have hope because of
this love I have found with the help of the Holy Spirit by his words. The Bible says that “to live is Christ but to
die is gain” .
Philippians 1:21.
My mentors, Sunday school
teachers and relatives use to say, “There is a purpose for the wide variety of
stories. Every Bible story has a purpose—as would be expected of a book
inspired by the great and purposeful Almighty God”.
One of my relatives was
big on doctrine. He would say, “The apostle Paul listed some of the purposes
for the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16: “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness.” Bible stories can make these purposes and
lessons come to life for all of us.” His favorite book I may add was Roman’s.
I can hear my Aunt Annie
say now,” in 1 Chronicles 16:12 and Deuteronomy 6:7, God also recorded these
stories to help those idle parents, their job is vital for teaching their
children. God wants us to “remember His marvelous works which He has done” and
to diligently teach our children His good ways, “I pray they would listen to
the Holy Spirit”.
Because
of this, I am really surprised when young Christians (family and friends) tell
me that they are not particularly interested in the study of the Word of God. I
wonder why. Is it because after all one is really never born again and
therefore has no appetite for spiritual things? Or is it because the Bible has
never been approached from exactly the right standpoint? Let me suggest a few
ways to that may prove helpful if followed out.
Read the Bible consecutively. (I
started with the Gospels) Become thoroughly familiar with the history and arrangement of
the Book. Don’t dip into it in a mere haphazard way, but if you have never done
so before, begin with Genesis and read right on through. You will find it a
marvelous unfolding of God’s ways with men. Then as you read each chapter, ask
God by His Holy Spirit to open it up to you. There are several questions you
might put to each and then find the answer in the Word, as for instance:
o Is there anything about
Christ in this chapter?
o Is there any picture of
redemption presented here?
o Is there anything special
for me to follow or any commandment for me to obey?
After you have read your
Bible through, study it topically. Take the great outstanding themes of
Holy Scripture and with the aid of a concordance, follow them through the Word.
See what God Himself has to say about Creation, Sin, Redemption, the New Birth,
Faith, Repentance, Justification, Sanctification, the Work of the Holy Spirit,
the Priesthood of Christ, His Second Coming, the Judgments and kindred topics.
If you have never read Dr. C.I. Scofield’s little hand book, “Rightly Dividing
the Word of Truth,” I would urge you to read this with your open Bible before
you and look up every reference.
Study
your Bible biographically. Read the life stories of the men and women whose names are
household words in every Christian home. Some of these people were relatively
good, some were very evil. But all were sinners and needed a Savior. In many of
them the Grace of God shines out in a wonderful way, and they become examples
for us as we seek to tread the path of faith. In others, it is rather their
willfulness and rebellion against God that is emphasized, and this is in order
that we may take warning by their failures and not walk as they walked, thus
incurring the judgment of God.
Study
your Bible with fellow Christians looking for the great texts that you can use in
helping other people who may be in difficulty or perplexity about their souls.
As you do this, it may be well to have a colored pencil or a fine pen handy so
that you can mark the particular passages that appeal to you. In this way, they
become yours in a special sense.
As I travel on this Faith
journey, I do not know all of the questions and answers about Faith But without
the Bible, the answers to these key questions of life would remain hidden or
only scholarly learned. The biblical stories bring the answers to life and give
us hope. The Bible is given for a reason and a purpose. Whether it’s to inspire
us in the hard times or to help us learn a lesson the easy way, God has told us
these stories for our eternal benefit.
“The name of the Lord
is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe”. Proverbs 18:10
