Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning… I. THE BIBLE COMES TO US with three great powers, each of which is a guarantee of its truth, and should cause us to value it above all other books. It comes to us with the power of — 1. Tradition. Sayings that are handed on byword of mouth become altered; and so doubtless it would have been with God's words had He not caused them to be written, and then to be delivered to appointed guardians, charged to keep them inviolate. We should thank God, then, that He has given us His holy Church, Jewish and Christian, to be — "a witness and keeper" of His Word, thereby enabling us to know that, in believing it, we are not following "cunningly devised fables." 2. Prophecy. The Bible contains the history not only of the past and present, but also of the future. And we feel sure that all that is predicted will be fulfilled, just because all that was prophesied concerning the Jews, and Jerusalem, and Christ has been fulfilled. And then, if the prophecies of the Bible are true, all else which it contains, we may be sure, is true. 3. Edification. Parts of the Bible may be hard to understand, but none, however unlearned, ever yet studied it, prayerfully and humbly, without finding that it built them up in faith and love. Did ever you find any other book like it in this respect? II. HOW, THEN, SHOULD WE USE THE BIBLE SO AS TO PROVE THAT WE REALLY VALUE IT? 1. We should read it every day. Although we talk much about the blessing of an "open Bible," yet to a large number the Bible is kept like some rare treasure to be looked at, not used. It is a very good thing to read the Bible through continuously, endeavouring to grasp the teaching as a whole. But it is a good thing also every day to read a few verses, that all day long we may have in our minds some word of God to rest upon. And if we can commit them to memory, so much the better. Then, in time, we should have our minds stored with holy thoughts, and when Satan approached, "the sword of the Spirit" would be ready to our hand. 2. We should read with the definite desire of hearing God's voice. And this implies that we must read in a humble and teachable spirit; not approaching the Bible with our minds prejudiced, or that we may find some confirmation for our own theories and practices, but saying simply, "Lord, what wouldest Thou have me to do?" 3. In order that, in the reading of the Bible, we may thus listen for and respond to the voice of God, we must prepare our hearts and minds by earnest prayer. 4. As the Bible is the best book of private devotions, use it as such. 5. Do not be perplexed because there are some things in the Bible which you cannot understand. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." 6. Try to see Jesus there, and to realise the work that He accomplished and the example that He set. (J. Beeby.) Parallel Verses KJV: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. |
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