“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness,” 2 Timothy 2:12-16, KJV.
Knowledge of the Holy Bible comes by reading it, not merely by owning a copy. As new people come to Christ there is a duty to educate and teach the unadulterated word of God. And most who come to Christ, the details of how to live a Christian life is foreign to them. This is why the Bible clearly states that one must study to show oneself approved. Also, this is why the Word must be our daily bread. I know there are many pastors, preachers, and teachers that encourage the daily reading of God’s word, but how many of us do it?
Tithing—this is not accepted by all, but it is clearly stated in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings,” Malachi 3:8, KJV. (Matthew 23:23) Also being mindful of the reason why we’re paying tithes. God does not need our money, He requires our faith. Yes, we have obligations here on earth such as paying light bills, car notes, house payments, but is that more important than God? Who provided the money to us in the first place to pay those other bills? And we can’t spare ten percent? “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts,” Malachi 3:10-11, KJV.
Idol worship—this is not abolished by all Christians either, but the Bible clearly states that you must not have any other god before Him (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7, Matthew 22:37-38). Similar to what is briefly mentioned above, there are cars, houses, jobs, organizations, even children and parents that are placed above the Almighty God. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,” Matthew 10:37, KJV.
It takes studying to know what the Word states. God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit and through His Holy Word. When we know the Word, in certain situations scriptures that we’ve meditated on comes to mind exactly when we need them. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” John 14:26, KJV. The key word here is remembrance. If we never study, how will we remember?
No comments:
Post a Comment