How to Search the Scriptures for Eternal Life

[Insight]

How to Search the Scriptures for Eternal Life

Our hope is an intelligible one and must be sought and found through the Word of Truth - Proverbs Chapters 1-3. Sadly some here do not understand that a believer must apply their heart (mind) to understanding – it is choosing to love learning and truth more than any other more earthly pursuits.

Of course this means making an “effort”.

It’s in the effort that we may see some resistance here in this forum. Some believe the revelation of truth comes without hard work. This is error of the highest magnitude. God requires His children to consume and eat His words daily. Jer 15:16

God calls upon us to act differently: to 'incline' and 'apply' our minds to the highest wisdom -- the knowledge of Himself, and His ways, and His purpose as revealed in the Holy Writ.

Of course one can gather great amount of knowledge but lack the required understanding to apply what he has learnt. This type of knowledge is useless if not applied in the outwork of faith-filled lives.

Therefore the granting of Wisdom is from above and comes to those who ask in faith. James 1:3,4,5

There are different types of Bible Studies we can undergo; I would like to share with you all the various techniques and study aids to assist you in this godly work. Gaining an appreciation of sound Bible Study is essential in the discovery/revelation of truth.

THE BOOK:

Development of knowledge which builds faith (Rom 10:17):

• by the revelation of divine thoughts.
• the unfolding of God’s purpose.
• the epochs of Bible history.

WORD:

Creates an awareness of:

• the uniqueness of divine language
• the value of contextual meanings.
• the substance of Bible words.

DOCTRINAL :

Builds a conviction in:

• the importance of divine doctrine
• the power of moral truths
• the unity of Bible foundations

By no means is this not exhaustive. I hope to add a few tips and ideas as we go along. Feel free to add as you like. Lets refrain from debating the need to study 2 Tim 2:15KJV

Insight

 

[Prentis]

The scriptures are good for edification, and the wise man finds the treasures hidden by God in them.

But...

[sup]38[/sup] But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. [sup]39[/sup] You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. [sup]40[/sup] But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Once again, your whole premise is wrong. All life comes from God, and all things were created in Christ, from him we draw life, not the scriptures.

 

[Insight]

TYPES OF BIBLE STUDY

PROPHETIC - establishes an appreciation for:

• the greatness of divine control.
• the excitement of fulfilling signs.
• the certainty of Bible promises.

THEMATIC - forms a recognition of:

• the pattern of divine principles.
• the pervasiveness of golden themes.
• the wonder of Bible harmony.

CHARACTER - increases an understanding of:

• the reality of divine providence.
• the emotion of spiritual growth.
• the wisdom of Bible counsel.

The Spirit has constructed the Word in such a way as to hid principles, lessons and spiritual echoes for the righteous. To seek knowledge, is to seek God, who is the source of all knowledge (Mal 3:16; Jam 1:6).

Proverbs 2:4 teaches us that true wisdom is out of the Bible, and not always found on the surface, but requires some "digging"!!!
The "hiding" of Wisdom might at first glance seem counterproductive from God's point of view, but it serves an important purpose: that which requires some effort to obtain is naturally valued more.

There can be no doubt that enthusiasm of men will do unbelievable thing to find hidden treasure.

Even the most slothful of sluggards will dig his garden if he jewels were hidden there. In this manner is a believer to seek for wisdom and knowledge that we may understand the fear of the LORD.
Approaching Bible Study in this manner knowing the hidden wisdom will help private them along the way.

I hope to provide some examples of hidden treasures along the way.

The scriptures are good for edification, and the wise man finds the treasures hidden by God in them.

But...

[sup]38[/sup] But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. [sup]39[/sup] You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. [sup]40[/sup] But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Once again, your whole premise is wrong. All life comes from God, and all things were created in Christ, from him we draw life, not the scriptures.

Prentis...you have no light...if you wish to be contentious and teach your darkness, maybe you can shoot over to the other thread.

Thanks in advance

Insight

 

[Prentis]

How much more straightforward can it be?

[sup]38[/sup] But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. [sup]39[/sup] You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. [sup]40[/sup] But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Once again, you do not understand that life comes from Christ himself, and that in him we have life. The scriptures point to him, to the Spirit.

 

[Insight]

I started a thread for you to play to your hearts content.

Way you go...

 

[Prentis]

If you think you are so easily rid of me, it is not so. Don't get me wrong, I don't say this to be contentious :)

But over matters like this, I do not fight lightly.

Unless we follow the Lord, we have no light. Many think they have light, but it is the light of their own certainty of intellectual brightness and understanding which blinds them to the life that is in Christ.

 

[Insight]

METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

I have seen a few follow this sequence and proved very thorough in gaining wisdom and understanding.

1. Find the facts
2. Establish the principle
3. Apply the exhortation

It is essential for any Bible Study to ask as many questions as possible. God delights in His children asking questions of him.


What?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Who?

I know it’s simple, but the answer can be very profound. Needless to say it is impossible to achieve understanding without asking at least one of these.

 

[Prentis]

It is impossible to achieve understanding without the Spirit of God.

 

[Insight]

How much more straightforward can it be?

[sup]38[/sup] But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. [sup]39[/sup] You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. [sup]40[/sup] But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Once again, you do not understand that life comes from Christ himself, and that in him we have life. The scriptures point to him, to the Spirit.

You remarks have revealed your darkness concerning the value of Gods Word.

I must need treat you as swine until you retract you comment.

You have some nerve seperating God from His Word.

Insight

 

[Prentis]

Your madness is that you put this on the very words of Jesus. God's word is a great tool in his hand...

To point us to him, and his son.

 

[Insight]

Your madness is that you put this on the very words of Jesus. God's word is a great tool in his hand...

To point us to him, and his son.

No Prentis...you speak as a fool who knows little of Gods Word. Psa 138:2KJV

 

[Prentis]

And who is greater, the one who is exalted, or the one able to exalt?

The Lord is the one who gives life. Through his word? Yes. That is, his son.

[sup]1[/sup] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [sup]2[/sup] He was in the beginning with God. [sup]3[/sup] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. [sup]4[/sup] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. [sup]5[/sup] And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend[sup][a][/sup] it.
[sup]6[/sup] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [sup]7[/sup] This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. [sup]8[/sup] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [sup]9[/sup] That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.[sup][b][/sup]
[sup]10[/sup] He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. [sup]11[/sup] He came to His own,[sup][c][/sup] and His own[sup][d][/sup] did not receive Him. [sup]12[/sup] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [sup]13[/sup] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[sup]14[/sup] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John bore witness of the word, and the word is Christ.

You speak as one who takes half the scriptures to deny the rest.

 

[Insight]

What will judge you Prentis?

 

[Prentis]

I know the verse you are thinking of.

John 12:48
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
Again, do you use this scripture to deny this one?

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

We will be condemned by his word, but he is the one who condemns.

Once again, who is greater, the word which we are condemned by, or the one who has authority to condemn us by those very words?

 

[Insight]

I must persist with this Prentis to teach you a valuable lesson.

Prentis said...

Once again, your whole premise is wrong. All life comes from God, and all things were created in Christ, from him we draw life, not the scriptures.

The bold is your error!

You cannot separate the Scriptures from Jesus Christ...this is spiritual suicide.

Insight

 

[Prentis]

Jesus did not say he was scripture, he said he was the word.

He even says that Scripture TESTIFY of him. And he says if one testifies of himself, it is a testimony of no value. Thus he testifies of the Father, and the Father of him.

Put one and one together, and he cannot be scripture, but rather the living word, because the scriptures testify of him. Otherwise, you would have Christ in you by eating a Bible! ;)

 

[Insight]

Still waiting for you to retract your comment about the Word of God not being able to save 2 Tim 3:15

 

[Prentis]

Christ himself is salvation.

Hebrews 5:9
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

You continue to show yourself to have no understanding of spiritual things. Life is indeed found in him.

 

[Insight]

He became the author by doing what?

Matt 4:4 is what you are after.

And where did this Word come from? The Holy Scriptures? What Word did Jesus speak to his whole life? The Holy Scriptures? What did he quote throughout his whole ministry? The Holy Scriptures? What did he fulfil in his life? The Holy Scriptures? What are we ask to obey? The Holy Scriptures which teach us about who? John 17:3

Why do you refuse to admit that the living Word of God as written on paper and now expressed to us through the Word made Flesh is able to save?

Why do you separate the Word delivered through angels and in these last days His Son?

Why Prentis?

 

[Prentis]

And yet he spoke things you do not read in the old testament, and made a new covenant, and was led of the Spirit.

As a matter of fact, you search too far and err into mistake, the answer is in Hebrews 5:8, the verse before.

[sup]8[/sup] though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

It is by obedience and suffering. And he did not obey the Law of Moses, so you can count that out.

He gives us the answer; he did only what he saw the Father doing! In these steps we follow, we walk by the spirit.