I am new here and I have just skimmed through this thread....so forgive me if I overlook anything anyone has said or if I repeat or even if I appear just nuts and have taken everything way out of context!
That is something to think about though and I don't mean any malice. I say this with love. People tend to do this with God's Word just as they do this with each other.
So I am writing this to no specific person.
People write/speak about their beliefs whether with complete truth, partial truths, or with deception and lies. With every word is a spirit which controls the passion of the writing and words spoken. Me, not completely reading all the info in this thread and speaking out without complete knowledge and understanding of what each has said, well can lead me to show myself to be ignorant. But I will take that risk in hopes it may plant a seed. IMaybe one needs to be planted in me
I pray what I say doesn't offend anyone.
Does one need to study the Bible?
First, what does "need" mean? Need only? Need for salvation? Need to believe? Need for guidance? Need for understanding? The question to me is a bit vague. Then the thread went off on Holy Spirit. Then Love and so on....
To me "need" is hunger for. It is a must for spiritual growth. I do not desire it. I need it to survive.
To study.... I do not find it a chore to study. I have a very heavy spiritual appetite to study the Bible and have to pace myself and learne to spiritually exercise what I have learned.
We all are different.
First, there are all sorts of spiritual appetites and foods (milk to meat) for God's Word just as there are physical appetites and food for our flesh body. Some eat healthy while others mix good food with bad. Some try to stay healthy but backslide at times. Others just are undisciplined and eat bad. Some have heavy appetites while others do not. Some over eat and get sick and glutenous while others starve themselves and deprive themselves of proper nutrients and also become sick. The examples can continue.
So we have different spiritual appetites which give us different levels in our walk. We have different kinds of eating which can effect our spiritual health and walk.
Studying the Word helps us to grow healthy. It is food for our soul.
There are people who are physically unable to read, yet they find a way to fulfill their spiritual hunger. There are others physically not able to learn and comprehend...and depend on others. I personally think these are special to the Lord and He is with them. My opinion. There are people with all abilities and tools available yet never appear to have a spiritual hunger..... "Nothing new under the sun".... Some run the risk of being spiritually sick unto death.
So now we go to Holy Spirit and Love with other things.
I will let the spirit within me speak. It is up to you to decide if the Holy Spirit is guiding me or if this is my flesh spirit talking nonsense. there will be scripture in here - is it Truth with understanding?
Christ is "the Word of God". He is "the Alpha and Omega" - Beginning and End. "He comes in the volumn of the book" - Gen. through Revelation. He wrote this letter to me for a reason. I ask myself "why"? What possible reasons are there in His Word that I need to know and understand?
What is Love? He is Love. He loves us and wants us to learn what love is. We love Him because He first loved us.
What is Righteousness and Truth? He is. How do we know?
How does one gain knowledge,understanding and true wisdom with His discernment? "The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..."
How does one reverence and know His Will?
His Word will never be void. It is always unveiling. Not one person has made it. We all fall short and need our Lord, Savior, and King.
The Word is the Comforter. It is His spirit. He Comforts and Guides.
If He took the time to write me and I am able, then I have the time to read it and study it. My God wants my love. He wants a relationship with me. He is within those pages and it strengthens me and my faith reading His Word. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God".
We are to live by faith in Him.
He promises me "He will never leave me or forsake me". He is the Comforter.
He promises me many other things. What are they? Do I claim them?
This topic is close to my heart. I came to Christ by first reading the Bible precept upon precept and line by line.