HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

REALIZING POSITIVE LONG-TERM RESULTS

If there are no positive results from reading God's Word, no real benefit has been realized. A "positive benefit" is one that is productive. It is the fruit that grows for you to eat. God-blessed activities always yield God-blessed results! It is never pointless to willingly subject your mind to God's Word in faith. It is never fruitful to handle God's Word in a state of general disinterest, or out of a sense of obligation. The results that are realized must be "long-term." You are being readied to spend eternity with God, and the Word of God is designed to work in you to that end.

The snare of hearing only what people say about the Word

One of the unfortunate situations of our time is that people hear more of what men have said about the Word, than the Word itself. There is an astounding amount of meaningless opinion in religion, and it is being pawned off as though it were the Word of God. It should not surprise you that many of your close friends have embraced erroneous views of God, Christ, and salvation, merely because a preacher or teacher they respect has declared them. This sort of commitment is fraught with liabilities. For one thing, embracing what men have said will not yield good or long-term results. It is much like many of the contemporary seminars that are held. They are platforms for the sounding of personal opinion. The result is that you need to keep going back to them for refreshers--they do not yield long- term results. Any benefit that does not transfer into eternity is not to be highly regarded!

Defining the terms

How can we realize positive, long-term results? By "positive," I mean something is added to your faith. You become stronger in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Temptation can be resisted, and sin can be shunned. By "long-term," I mean you engage in a sustained and uninterrupted effort for God. You stay in the race to glory, and continue to fight the good fight of faith. Such results can be achieved. In fact, they are requirement to entering into the Presence of the Lord!