Written by Eng Kim Leng
Many people challenge the word of God, questioning its veracity. Surprisingly, they are less critical when it comes to defending their own belief, their views concerning creation, the theory of evolution, the faith they choose, the values they profess, or the destiny of man. If mankind is sincere in wanting to know truth, then they should find out what God says, before jumping to conclusion. It is likely that their biasness against God’s word comes from a lack of knowledge or insight into God’s word.
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” (John 16:6). It is a straightforward statement, which excludes all other ways and faith. Jesus is not just the way and life here on earth, He is the way to heaven. And because He is the way, it is our responsibility to learn more, concerning the way, the truth, and the life.
This alone should motivate us to study the bible for in it is truth, life and way to God. Jesus says, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life,” John 6:63b. The word of God reveals wisdom from above and the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.
Here are some ideas on how we can study the word of God effectively and secure for ourselves the full benefits that it offers:
Right Motivation
As in everything, motivation is important. One reason many are not interested in studying God’s word is because they are not motivated. The motivated person will go the second mile and beyond. He can overcome fatigue, setbacks, and failures, doing even the impossible, with God’s help. The Word of God teaches us how to access that help. It reveals who God really is and shows us His ways. As we learn God’s ways, it helps us to establish a relationship with Him. The bible is God’s instruction manual and shows how we can walk close with Him.
A motivated person understands the benefits of God’s inspired writings, what is lacking in his life and makes up for it by having God as his Master. He develops and strengthens his relationship with God.
Moses said to the LORD, “…. show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight,” (Exodus 33:13a). Moses wanted to know God personally, like a friend. Today, the way to know Him is found in the pages of scripture.
Insightful Study
“… Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
The way to insightful learning is to prepare the heart, seek His law, do and teach. While motivation starts from the mind, the heart readies itself to receive the word of God. The heart and mind are inter-connected. The Psalmist asks God in Psalms 26:2, “Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.”
Jesus in Matthew 15:19 says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” The thoughts of our heart will manifest in our behaviour, speech and conduct, and God’s word will prick our hearts to do the right thing. “For the word of God is living and powerful …. is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.
People fall into sin because they have not prepared their hearts to seek the Lord. The word “prepare” conveys deliberate effort on the part of the child of God. Be like the prophet Ezra, who prepared his heart to receive God’s word, not just to seek God but to have a mind to do that which is right.
Spiritual Nourishment
Study like our health and well-being depend on it. We require good balanced spiritual nourishment to feed our soul and live a good life. God’s Word provides the necessary nutrients we need to thrive. Jesus after His baptism, was in the wilderness, feeling hungry. When tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread, He replied, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4).
God’s every word is our spiritual nourishment. By feeding upon God’s word, Jesus was able to perform the tasks He was assigned to do. He endured the physical hunger, despised the shame, and suffered the painful death on the cross. Likewise, we too can overcome many of life’s difficulties when we are spiritually empowered.
On a physical level, man needs food and water to grow. These are basic nourishments for good health. On a spiritual level, Jesus is the living bread and living water, which sustain us.
He professes:
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:51.
“… whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.
Let us be filled with the living bread and living water, that we may not hunger or thirst, and live forever.
Our Destiny Depends on It
Study like your destiny depends on it. Our hope is to be received in heaven when we depart from this world. We look forward to hearing, “Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord,” Matt 10:23.
We know well what we shall be judged by, which is the word of Jesus. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). Our destiny in heaven is dependent upon our obedience to His word.
Set our MIND on Things Above
Right Motivation
Insightful Study
Spiritual Nourishment
Our Destiny Depends on It
The first letters of the key words above come together to form the word, ‘MIND’. The mind is powerful. The heart moves the mind, and a motivated mind facilitates learning, brings forth life, health and peace (“to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace,” (Rom 8:6b), and onwards to laying hold of the crown of life. As we are motivated to study the word of God, we gain insight into the wisdom and teachings therein, and they nourish our souls for spiritual growth, leading us onwards to heaven, our eternal destiny.
Let us be renewed in the spirit of our minds, by giving ourselves to the effective study of God’s word. Through continued study, a renewal process comes about – our minds will be set on things above. By giving attention to His word, we understand better His will, and slowly but surely, we are transformed to be Christlike. It follows, the scripture says we shall have life and health to all our flesh (Proverbs 4:22), and ultimately heaven as our eternal home (2 Corinthians 5:1).