Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Learning ... Every Day (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Maybe you’ve “from childhood known the sacred writings.” Or maybe you’ve recently become a Christian and are learning God’s word.

In either case, if you want to receive God’s wisdom, you must “continue in the things you have learned.” Just as you gain knowledge of any subject by study and repetition, so you also gain knowledge of God and His will through study of His word.

I can’t stress how important daily study is to growing in faith. And I don’t mean just reading a chapter here and there (although any Bible reading is better than nothing). I mean real study.

I learned the importance of real study myself. When I rededicated my life to the Lord almost 23 years ago, I started sporadically reading the Bible. A verse or two every few days. And I found myself reverting to old habits. I realized, if I wanted to know God more, I needed to do more.

And so I started what’s called “inductive Bible study.” It’s a process by which you spend a lot of time in a specific book of the Bible. Chapter by chapter. Verse by verse. You immerse yourself in the truth of God’s word. And as you do, it becomes more real to you, as does God Himself. I’ve spent weeks—even months—in a particular book. Investigating. Praying. Meditating. Reading trusted commentaries. Memorizing verses.

I’ll tell you something: If it wasn’t for this time of daily study, while I would still be a Christian because I believe in the God of the Bible and that salvation comes through Christ’s blood, I wouldn’t be so in love with Him. I wouldn’t want to serve Him as I do. I wouldn’t want His will above all things.

That’s how important real study of God’s word. If you want a vibrant, strong, growing faith, study God’s word. Spend time in it. Learn from it. Gain knowledge from it.

It’s that important.

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