THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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In 1930 Babe Ruth earned $80,000. Someone asked him if he thought it was fair that he received more than President Hoover.
Ruth said, "Well, I had a better year."
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John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
KJV
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The Greek word for "Search" means to seek diligently as an investigator would for a crime. Jesus does not intend
for us to give superficial reading to the Scriptures. He intends for us to "search:" seek out the full facts under the guidance of His Holy Spirit.
When Jesus spoke these words, He was being persecuted for healing a man on the Sabbath. The Jewish people of that day were very strict in the use of the Scriptures. Indeed, they became so legalistic that they found no true meaning. Some, in our world today, are basically the same. They are so strict in the use of Scripture that they find no grace and mercy for the salvation of gross sinners. They are so filled with condemnation that they offer no salvation.
There is great need today for knowing the Word of God. When we "search the Scriptures" we find that there is condemnation for sin in them. Were it not for the law, we would not know sin (Rom. 3:20). If more people knew the Word, more people would know sin!
However, when we "search the Scriptures" we also find Christ. He is the grace of God extended to sinners for salvation FROM the condemnation! (Rom. 6:23)
We cannot be saved from God's condemnation of sin simply by observance of the law. We must come to Christ and surrender our lives to Him in repentance. Then sin is forgiven, and the Word of God becomes His teaching instrument. Through study of His word, then, we find MORE about Jesus: more of His wonderful mercy and grace.
When we come to Christ, we become His servants in two ways: He is our Lord, and He is our Teacher.
With Him as our Lord, we receive the command to "search the Scriptures."
With Him as our Teacher we receive the benefit of His instruction as to the USE of the Scripture.
SO, have a better year: "search the Scriptures." Search diligently. And above all, find JESUS in them!
Love ya,
Bruce