HOW TO READ THE BIBLE

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

The Word of God defines MAIN things for us

When you enter the realm of God's Word, you leave the world of trivia and novelty. Primary matters are the subject of Scripture--primary in the context or eternity. While other and incidental things are mentioned, they are never the focus of Scripture. Our values will be adjusted if we take the Word of God seriously. The Holy Spirit will shine the light of emphasis upon things of eternal consequence.

God is the MAIN Person in Scripture

The Bible is not about Israel, Egypt, or Rome. It does not center in Adam, Noah, or Abraham. The dominant Person in Scripture is God--God the Father. It is His will that is executed. Man has fallen from His image, and Jesus came to restore us to Him! He sent Jesus (1 John 4:14), and Jesus is bringing us to God (1 Pet 3:18)! Take God out of the Bible, and there is no purpose for Jesus and no hope for mankind! When you read the Bible, if you miss God, you have missed everything. If your perception of the Lord is not made more clear, and your understanding of Him has not been clarified, you have missed the point, and been snared by the wicked one.

Salvation is the MAIN accomplishment

As great as creation was, salvation is better! It is better than the mighty empire built by sinful man! It is greater than the raising up of Israel from a single person--after he was an old man! The glory of David's reign, the building of the temple, and the glory of Jerusalem are all incidental when set along aside God's great salvation. Salvation is here set forth as the ultimate human experience! If there is no participation in it, life has been lived in vain.

Jesus is the MAIN focus

The Son of God is the exclusive way to the Father. He alone was able to pay the debt that was owed, and raise men from a fallen state. Only He could fully satisfy the Father, providing a reason to bless us. The accomplishments of the Son made it possible for God to be both "Just and Justifier" of those believing in Jesus (Rom 3:26). Because of Jesus, individuals are saved without God compromising His Deity or violating man's free will. For this reason, Jesus is the subject of preaching, the object of faith, and the ultimate possession.

The world to come is the MAIN world

We live in a world that is going down. Yet Satan has deluded people into thinking it is permanent. The Word of God presents the world to come as preeminent Matt 12:32; Mark 10:30; Heb 2:5; 6:5). It is "a kingdom which cannot be shaken," and it will "remain" after this "present evil world" has gone up in flame (Heb 12:27; Gal 1:4; 2 Pet 3:10-12).

Knowing God is the MAIN thing

The Bible declares the knowledge of God as the primary knowledge. God desires to be known, and takes great delight in those that do know Him (Jer 9:23-24). The new covenant results in all of its constituents knowing the Lord (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:10-12). Acquaintance, or personal familiarity, with God is imperative to salvation! To know about rocks and not know the Rock of ages is pointless. To be able to expound on the solar sun, yet be unacquainted with the Son of God amounts to condemnation. Here, in the Bible, the priority is placed upon knowing the Lord.