The first reason is that God draws an undeniable link between our knowledge of the Bible and our ability to live in the way he commands us to live. In 1 John the apostle writes, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 John 2:3-5). How are we to know how Christ walked and how are we to imitate him if we choose not to study the record of his life? How can we be obedient to him except by studying the rule he has given to direct us? The Bible is the primary means God uses to teach us about himself and to challenge us by the Holy Spirit. "And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual"   (1 Corinthians 2:13). So to be people who are obedient to God and who do his will, we must first know this will as he has given it to us in the Bible.

The second reason is that God tells us that our desire to learn about the Bible and its doctrine is a sign of spiritual health. In 1 John 4:6 we read, "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." Those who are truly saved will long to be taught the Bible by skilled teachers and by the spiritual authorities God has placed in their lives. They will long to know the Word of God.

The third reason is that the Bible sets us free to glorify and enjoy God. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). The truth, as we learn it in the Bible, gives us freedom to honor God through our lives. It sets us free from legalistic attempts to please God and frees us from our false views of God. It sets us free to know God as he is and to worship him as he is. It also sets us free from falling into the all-too-common trap of basing our standing before God on the times we've done our duty in studying the Bible. Too often, I think, we allow our daily performance to be the basis of our standing before God. If I've done well in reading and prayer, I feel God's acceptance; if I have avoided or neglected it, I feel God's disfavor. But through the Bible we learn that our standing before God, our acceptance, is based on the work of Christ, not our performance, however good or however poor.

Christians should be drawn to the Bible the way a baby is drawn to his mother's milk. It is the Bible that feeds us, that nourishes us, and that equips us as saints that bring glory and honor to God. As Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" When we wish to live in a way that pleases God, we must turn to him, to the ways he has revealed himself in Scripture. A spiritually healthy Christian will read the Bible and will want to read the Bible.

My encouragement is not to wait until your heart longs for nothing more than to study the Bible before you open the cover of the Book. Rather, commit today to beginning to take time every day to read it. Ask God to give you the discipline to do so. Commit to spending even just a few minutes reading its words and a few minutes more to seek ways you can apply it to your heart. God will speak to you through his Word and show you the infinite, eternal value of studying the Bible. And as He does so, He may just transform some of that duty into a greater measure of delight.

Whether you receive and study the Word by attending the weekly Bible study with the group on Wednesday or through  an e-mail, it is vital that you "study to show yourself approved..."  It is my prayer that you will take advantage of either or both methods to study. May God bless you as you begin (or continue) your journey into His Word.

What A Mighty God We Serve,

Pastor Hamlin

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