WHY I STUDY GOD'S WORD (PART II)

Last month, we considered two reasons why I study God’s Word. They were for getting to know God and His will, and guidance for godly living. We will consider another two reasons this month.

Growth and Transformation

In encouraging Christians who were going to face tribulations, the apostle Peter wrote of the need for them to continue to desire the word, just like how newborn babies will desire milk. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2:2) He also stated the purpose for doing so - A Christian will be able to grow. I study God’s word because it gives me understanding and it helps me to grow spiritually. Milk enables a baby to grow physically. The word of God will enable us to grow spiritually. 

The need to grow is further articulated by Peter when he said “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:5-10)

After baptism, a Christian cannot be stagnant, but is expected to mature spiritually. I will be very concerned if my child does not grow, nor grow as fast as he should for his age. Similarly, we must be concerned if a Christian does not mature in the faith and remains stagnant or starts to drift away from the Lord. A Christian can grow by studying the word of God, understanding it, and applying it to his or her life.

Knowledge is important for growth and hence, I study the Bible. Peter said that Christians ought to be like obedient children and not conform to their former desires when they were in ignorance, but to be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:14-16). The apostle Paul also wrote on the need for Christians not to be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of one’s mind (Romans 12:2).

I study the Bible, because it will help transform my life. There must be growth and transformation in our lives when we study God’s word. Some of us may be studying in brotherhood colleges, preaching schools or taking Biblical courses. Grades are important, because it reflects the learning in such colleges, schools or courses. However, the grades are meaningless if one does not allow God’s word to transform one’s life. 

On a daily basis when I study the Bible, there is a need to allow the Bible to transform my life, that I become a changed person and live righteously before God. I must be humble and allow myself to be saturated with God’s Word. Paul did not consider himself to have achieved the “end goal”. He put away any past successes, failures, or sin, and strived forward to seek after God and eternal life (Philippians 3:12-14). Paul wrote to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). He also added the necessity for one to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:19) and hence, this would mean to be saturated with God’s Word and allowing God’s Word to dwell in us. The above tells me that I replace whatever undesirable thoughts, desires, wants, behaviour, and speech with the Word of God, such that my focus is on spiritual matters. I allow God’s Word to work in me when I apply whatever I have studied, so that I become a better person and to be more like Christ.

I must continually reflect on myself and work on transformation. God’s word is like a mirror to us (James 1:23-24), such that it enables us to reflect on our lives. In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul told them to examine themselves whether they were in the faith and to prove themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). I have asked myself the following questions:

• What is my goal after studying in a preaching college / school?

• Am I a changed person for the better from when I first enrolled, or am I still the same?

• Will I be better at problem-solving, working with people, helping people with God’s Word, or has nothing changed?

Transformation and growth is an ongoing process, in which I am still striving and working hard to be pleasing to God. Bible study keeps me rooted, humble, and allows me to reflect on my life and to change for the better. I want to be better in my service to God and to brethren. That can only come through studying God’s word diligently and obeying Him.

Genuine Love for God

There is value in studying God’s word because it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We also understand from 2 Peter 3:16 that the epistles are also scripture. Jesus said that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). The psalmist also wrote that the sum of God’s word is truth (Ps 119:160). 

As a result of knowing the importance of the Bible (it is God’s word and that it contains truth), I study the Bible because of love for God. Jesus told His disciples: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) He further reiterated it in His reply to Judas Iscariot when He said that if a man loves Him, he will keep His commandments (John 14:23).

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3) One who loves God will indeed keep His commandments and a person will only know God’s commandments if he studies God’s word.

The psalmist wrote of how He loved God’s commandments:

“MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:97-100)

When we love God, all the more we want to know about Him, what He says, and do what He says. I love God deeply and I really want to do what He says. Remember the hymn “Trust and Obey”? Faith and obedience go hand in hand. May we always sing in faith and understanding as we teach one another in hymns and spiritual songs. The apostle Peter demonstrated obedience in his love for the Lord. Jesus told him, “…Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32) Despite denying the Lord thrice, Peter repented and was a transformed person. He wrote to encourage brethren in two epistles (1 and 2 Peter). In addition, he was also an elder (1 Peter 5:1). Such remarkable growth comes from a love for God and His Word. I love God and I want to be approved of Him. Thus, I study the Bible. Any suffering or challenge I undergo cannot be compared to that of Jesus nor of Paul. I continue to strive because I love God and trust in His promises contained in the Bible.

As we move into the new week ahead, may we reflect on why we study God’s word, that it is not for show, but for purposes which are meaningful and beneficial to us.

Ask Yourself:

1. Do I love God? What must I do to continue strengthening my relationship with God?

2. Have I allowed God’s Word to transform my life through obedience to His Word? Is it just knowledge which I have, but I lack the application and obedience?

Suggested Answers:

You may discuss this with the writer or brethren whom you are close with.