Sunday, October 25, 2009

How to Study God’s Word – Part 1

There are, unfortunately, many conceptions about how to study and learn God's Holy Word, His true message to His people. There is, however, only one way to study, to learn, and to gain understanding of God's Word. What is that way?

The Bible says it best, beginning in Isaiah 28:9-13.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28:9-13

These scripture references are telling us if we do not study God's Word according to this revelation, we will be broken, snared, and taken by the Devil. Also, in the New Testament, we see that the Apostle Paul wrote to us about studying God's Word:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Peter tells us that no one verse of scripture stands alone, to receive the true message or prophecy from God: II Peter 1:19-21. Verse 21 makes reference to holy men. Note that this is plural; it was not just one man speaking. Who were these holy men? They were holy men that God had chosen to speak His Word, which became both the New and Old Testaments.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:19-20

The Word of God is our foundation, beginning with the Old Testament (prophets) and ending with the New Testament (apostles), with Jesus Christ (the chief cornerstone) tying the two of them together.

Before we learn God's Word, He has to open our understanding:

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
II Corinthians 4:3-4

When God has opened our understanding, and we study the Bible this way, without prejudice, hard-heartedness, or brainwashing, we all see the same things in God's Word, and understand what He is telling us.

Those who reject the truth of God's Holy Word will be in danger of being utterly cut off from salvation, because they do not have the love of the truth dwelling in them, but rather, the lusts of their own hearts' desire. Romans 1:21-25

May God help us to submit ourselves daily to the direction of the Holy Ghost, to love the Word of God, to read, study and memorize it, and to continue in His grace. God bless you and yours, in Jesus' name!

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