Christian Living

EXERCISING THE BIBLE

by paul hoffmaster
01/20/19
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The Bible contains the most important words ever written.  The value of these collections of “little books” is priceless.  The eternal God, the Creator of all, the all-knowing and loving I AM (Exodus 3:14) has spoken to His creations through the written Word.  Beginning with the tablets of stone and traveling through time to the printed pages of the Bible today, God’s Word continues to be published throughout the world.  As hard as I try, I cannot get my mind around the fact that I have access to God’s own words!

In spite of the sacredness of the Holy Scriptures and Its power, the Bible continues to lack daily exercise.  I believe, without statistical evidence, that only a small percentage of Christians open their Bibles daily.  I guess the only way to evidence my speculation is for every reader of this article to tally the number of times a day he opens the Bible.  The usual response to such an inquiry would be inconclusive, for Believers normally do not consciously keep track of their voluntary reading habits.  If Christians open their Bibles on a daily basis, it is mainly to reread the benefits and blessings they have previously discovered.  This action shows a failure to understand what the Believers “handbook” is all about.  To casually “Word surf” or follow a regimented outline, for example to read the whole Bible in a year, is NOT exercising the Bible.  To read Christian books or blogs with Scriptural references is NOT exercising the Bible.  To read “cute” phrases with Biblical tags is NOT exercising the Bible.   To scan the Bible looking for verses that would defend one’s actions is NOT exercising the Bible. 

Unescorted Scriptural reading could lead to misunderstanding the intent of the Word.  False doctrines are birthed out of a sincere effort to pursue God’s Word for personal edification.   The Holy Spirit is our “life coach.” He guides us through the areas of Scripture that reveal God’s directive for our lives.  These escorted tours into God’s Word will help to build Christian character that exemplifies Christ.

Apollos was a teacher who had great understanding of the Word.  The Bible says that he was “mighty in the Scriptures.”  He spoke eloquently and with a fervency of spirit. (Acts 18:24.25)  What he taught the people was accurate and undisputed, but the problem was that his teachings did not go far enough.  He preached Jesus and the importance of repentance, which was the purpose of John’s baptism. (Acts 18: 24, 25)  After one of his public teachings, he was pulled aside by a husband and wife evangelistic team who helped him understand that there was more than repentance.  I believe they taught him that there was another baptism that he needed to be aware of, and that was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Reference Acts 19:1-6)  Every Believer needs to study the Gospels under the tutorship of the Holy Spirit.  Take notes as you are guided through the Word.  Once you have the basic understanding of Jesus’ ministry (Gospels), move on to Acts and the beginning of the Church.   After these two basic studies, you are ready for graduate school and the Epistles (letters).  There are no short cuts.  Take your time.   Also remember that reading the first 39 Books of the Bible unlocks the door to the New Testament.   Studying and restudying  the Word with continual prayerful interaction with the Holy Spirit, is called exercising your Bible!