THE BIBLE

Unique among the books of the world is the BIBLE. The perennial best seller, the Bible is to the believer the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God- and the wayfaring man, though he be fool, can by reading it find the way of Salvation.

The Bible is the best-seller of all times. Part of it has been translated into more than 2400 languages and every year30 to 40 more translations are added. Worldwide 200 to 300 million Bibles or Bible parts are distributed year. This is amazing and the question is, ‘Why does the Bible find such a wide circulation?’- This question can be answered by the testimony of millions of people who say that the Bible has been a real help in various situations in Life.

Let us see what the Bible says about itself, ‘All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16)

LIVE THE WORD

It is extreme important that in reading the Bible we focus on living the Word. To obey God’s word, to practice it, to apply it to all areas of your life is the evidence that you love God and you live for Him (1 John 5:3). Applying God’s Word is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the Bible reading. The words of the Bible itself cry out to us, ‘Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says’ (James 1:22)

APPLYING THE WORD

Successfully putting God’s Word into practice is a result of your disciplined obedience to God’s commands and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to carry out your obedience. You have a significant role to play in the process of application.

How to use the Bible

Every real Church accepts the Bible as the Word of God and endeavors to be govern by it. Christians have no discipline or Book of rules given by some council or other human authority, but believe the Bible to be sufficient rule of conduct for both the individual Christian and the local Church.

1.     Treat the Bible as the Word of God.

Accept it as such-there are three witnesses;

a.    Itself-it claims to be, for over 2,000 times the phrase of its equivalent occurs ‘Thus saith the Lord’

b.    Its writers – Luke 1:70, 2 Timothy 3:16

c.     The Lord Jesus-Mark 12:36

2.     Study the Bible as the Text –Book of Christian Doctrine- 2 Timothy 2:15

3.     Beware of Private Interpretation-Ephesians 4:14

4.     Read the Bible as the guide book of the Christian-Psalm 119:11

Conclusion: The best way to learn to use the Bible is to use it. Take this rule for your attitude toward the Bible: Believe it fully; study it reverently; trust it implicitly; read it regularly and use it confidently.