2 - Second, it is also important to study the Bible continuously because it has the power
to save us and strengthen our faith. In Romans 1:16 the apostle Paul proclaimed:
"For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation..."
While Peter declared:
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth...being
born again... by the word of God..."
( 1 Peter 1:22-23) In other words, without the Bible
nobody can be born again or become a child of God! We need its instructions to fulfill the
proper requirements. Actually that is the reason why so many people are hellbound. For, -
being ignorant of God's instructions - they try to earn a place in heaven through good
deeds. Yet - according to the Bible - that is not the way because nobody can be so holy
as to deserve to go there!
3 - Third, regular and continuous Bible reading is also important because without it
there is no maturing or growth for God's children.
"But grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
We read in 2 Peter 3:18. This can
only be accomplished through the study of his Word.
4 - Fourth, the cleansing power of the Bible makes it also necessary for us to be lifelong
students of it pages. Psalms 119:9 and 11 says: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse
his way? by taking heed... to thy word... they word have I hid in my heart, that I
might not sin against thee." While 2 Timothy 3:16 clearly declares:
"All scripture... is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."
5 - Fifth, we need to study the scriptures faithfully because its words are our best
defense against satan's temptations. Only then will we have clear understanding of
God's will, and will we be able to quote scripture when satan tries to strear us into the
wrong direction. Jesus was fighting off his temptations with the Word of God also. In
Matthew 4:1-11 we read about some of his temptations and see that in each case he just
quoted scritpure saying: "It is written..."
and thereby won the battle.
6 - Sixth, regular Bible study is important also because that's one of the ways God gives
us personal instructions.
Let me give you an example: When our family was getting exhausted from the constant
persecutions for being practicing Christians, and were worrying about our childrens'
future, in Hungary; God gave me a message from his Word.
This happened around October 15, 1956, when everything was still quiet.
That month, I
was reading the Book of Isaiah continuously. But one day, from Chapter 54, verses 11-14
seemed to leap out from its pages, and sounded like a personal message to me. It read:
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforterd,
behold, I will ... lay thy
foundations with sapphires... And all they children shall be taught of the Lord; and
great shall be the peace of they children... thou shalt be far from oppression... and
from terror; for it shall not come near thee."
Of course, I knew that originally these words were sent to God's chosen people, at a
different time. However, to me they sounded like a personal message from above. I felt
like God was telling me that somehow he will open a door for our family to move to the
free West, where we will not be persecuted for our faith, and where we can raise our
children in peace. Also, that all our children will follow the Lord.
ARPAD FULOP'S SHORT BIOGRAPHY
(1903-1987)
Then, on the 23rd of the same month, the famous Hungarian
revolution broke out and on
the 18th of November God opened a way for us to escape.
As a result, we immigrated to the USA and were able to raise our children without
religious persecution or fear. Furthermore, they received Jesus into their heart at seven,
five, and four years of age, repectively; and follow him ever since. Thus, the special
personal message - I received earlier - was fulfilled. Yes! God also talks to us
personally through his Word.
7 - Seventh, it is important to continuously study the Word of God, because lack of
knowledge may lead to erroneous or false beliefs; especially these days when more and
more false teachings and teachers are misleading large crowds. In Matthew 22:29 Jesus
told the Sadducees:
"Ye... err, not knowing the scriptures..."
Thus, only serious
knowedge of God's Word can protect us from erring!
How often should we read the Bible through?
As often as possible. Of primary importance is that - after
inviting Jesus into our heart - we should
study the Bible seriously and regularly according to some kind of a system,
throughout our life. For, the Bible is the Word of God; the means by which we receive
salvation; can grow in faith; mature in our Christian walk; be cleansed from sin; win
over satan's temptations; and receive personal instructions, promises, or messages
from above.
How wonderful the Lord is in all His acts!
Glory to His Holy Name!
BIOGRAPHIES, STORIES and TEACHING
