INCENTIVES FOR STUDYING GOD’S WORDS

“STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Having noted the hurdles, it is expedient to examine the INCENTIVES for STUDYING GOD’S WORD: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim.2:15). The New King James equates “study” with diligence, and affirms it to be the basis of Divine Approval! Those who fail to study end up being ashamed! Studying Scriptures is not a mere religious routine. It provides protection in life’s daily spiritual and mental battles, gives comfort to the afflicted, hope in dire straits, and life-long edification. We are either living in the Word – conforming to the image of Jesus Christ – or we are in the world, being squeezed into its deforming mold (Rom.12:2).

To some Christians, the Word of God is what their Pastors say it is, not what they personally encounter daily through diligent study and devotion. An abysmally low proportion of Believers study the Bible daily or weekly. For some, the Bible is usually “parked” in the rear window of their cars from one Sunday to the next, indicative of the low value placed on God’s Word. There are diverse benefits of investing time and effort to studying the scriptures. Here are three primary incentives:

Studying God’s Word is essential to Spiritual Growth: “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1Pet.2:2). In terms of attitude, just as a baby grabs for the mother’s breast or milk bottle, the believer grabs for the Living Book. The baby needs milk to sustain life physically; the believer requires the Scripture to sustain life spiritually. In terms of appetite, we are to “long for,” crave or desire the spiritual milk of God’s Word. We cultivate strong taste for the Word and insatiable appetite for spiritual truth by feasting on Scriptures. The ultimate aim is for us to ‘eat’ and grow. The Bible was written not to satisfy our curiosity but to help us conform to Christ’s image – and be transformed.

Studying God’s Word is critical to Spiritual Maturity: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is , those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb.5: 12-14). Solid food is for the mature: those who have trained themselves through constant use of Scripture to discern good from evil. The mark of spiritual maturity is not how much we understand, but how much we apply what we understand. The opposite of ignorance is not knowledge but obedience. Scripture is the divine means of developing spiritual maturity.

Studying God’s Word is crucial for Spiritual Effectiveness: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Tim.3:16-17). Doctrine helps to structure our thinking. Not thinking correctly is not living correctly. What we believe will determine how we behave. Reproof sets standards and boundaries for our good. The correction of Scripture purifies: “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book”! God uses Scriptures to train us in righteous living. Having corrected us on the negatives, God gives us guidelines for greater effectiveness in life.

God wants to communicate with us in the twenty-first century. He wrote His Message in a Book. He demands that we come and study that Book as a means to grow, mature, and be equipped and trained as able, effective vessels for His purposes.