Why is it important to search the words of God?
Jesus once said in John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Christ told us to search the words of God not just reading only but to know and apply if the word of God is really true.
And to validate Christ words, Paul had a good experience to that in The Acts 17 while preaching in the synagogue most of the men in Thessalonica and in Berea rejected their word, but some men and women believe Paul’s teaching and turned to the scriptures if the teachings were true – And in Acts 17:11 – 12 says,
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Scriptures Can Change our lives?
Some of us might think that scripture study is not that really necessary and it’s okay for us to go and learn to the church during Sunday Schools and other classes. So we think that scripture are used in that way, then why should we think to study the scripture daily?
We must learn good reasons that the virtue of the word of God can change our lives and have that power to guide us, especially in our salvation.
2 Timothy 3:14 -17
-But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
-And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
-That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul knew that Timothy is well learned about the Laws of Moses and the doctrine of Salvation in which the gospel was preached to them. But why did Paul wants Timothy to learn and search more about the scripture? Isn’t it because Timothy’s knowledge of the scriptures from a child is not enough?
Paul wants Timothy to continue his learning about the scriptures because he knew that if a man will not continue to search more diligently the word of God, then comes the apostasy of the individual in which described by Paul on the previews verse and even after the chapter. The same principle that will apply to us in these latter days, Satan will not stop his work and he won’t until all of us will become like him.
But if we want to become stronger in faith then we must try the virtue of the word of God like Alma did.
Another good example from the Book of Mormon, It was Alma who was the chief judge at that time but he give up the judgment-seat just to go to the apostate group of people and preach to them the word of the Lord.
Alma 4:19
And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.
And on the latter end of their preaching, they were successful in convincing the people to learn about Christ and to gain testimony, they baptize many and even the Lamanites, their enemy was convince because of the Word of God.
Satan also tries to destroy the word of God.
When Jesus Christ fasted 40day and nights in preparation to his mission, Satan was also there tempting the savior to that he will not continue his mission, and every time Satan tries to tempt, the savior always quotes the things that is written in the scriptures. But when Satan found out that the savior will always use the things that is written, Satan also use the scriptures to destroy his words – Matthew 4:6
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answered quoting the scriptures and said: thou shall not to temp the Lord thy God. To make the story short, Satan failed.
Satan also use the same strategy for us if we try study and think about the things written in the Holy Scriptures, and Satan tries to bend it if we are not guided. Remember that in everything we do we should not lean on our own understanding. We must seek guidance from the Holy Ghost about the thing that we don’t understand or ask our leaders, and we should not try to think on the things that are not necessary for our salvation.
Elder Dallin H Oaks said -
Intellectual methods—study and reason—are essential to our progress toward eternal life, but they are not sufficient. They can prepare the way. They can get the mind ready to receive the Spirit. But what the scriptures call conversion—the change of mind and heart that gives us the direction and strength to move resolutely toward eternal life—comes only by the witness and power of the Holy Spirit.
Think of the possible way to motivate ourselves in Scripture reading
I have created a reading chart that helps me reminded what chapters of the book, and simply follow the shaded part of it. This reading chart helps me a lot that I could even fold and put it in the Scriptures, so every time I try to open up my scriptures there’s the chart and I’m ready to go.
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| Book of Mormon Reading chart to download, just click on the image above |
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| New Testament Reading Chart to download just click on the image above |
- Jerry Nuñez Bustillo
