The importance of Reading the Scriptures

For those who say they have found Jesus and want to follow him, they should take the words of Jesus at heart.

Jeshua, better known as Jesus, spoke several times out of the Torah and tried to explain the Words of God.  People had to know him and his Father. The man of Nazareth was clear that he  of himself could do nothing. Always he made it clear that people should get to know his Father, on whose behalf he was talking and handling. Jesus knew very well the Word of God. It is because he was well aware of what was written in the Torah (the Hebrew Scriptures) that could learn what God wanted from his and from the people. Because he knew the Holy Scriptures so well Jesus could know what Godwanted and could tell to others what his Father had taught him.

Holy scriptures (Photo credit: thriol)

Jesus was also aware that the One who sent him was still with him; He, Jehovah God, did not leave Jeshua (Jesus) the Messiah to himself, because Jesus always did what pleased God. Also we, as followers of Christ should try to please our Father. Many people who heard Jesus tell them to honour his Father and to pray to Him, who is in heaven, found the honesty in that man and trusted in him. So Jeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, “if you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“I have much to say and to judge concerning you. But He who sent Me is true, and what I heard from Him, these Words I speak to the world.” They did not know that He spoke to them of the Father. So יהושע (Jeshua) said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Adthen you shall know that I am He, and that I do none at all of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, these words I speak. “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” As He was speaking these words, many believed in Him. So יהושע said to those Yehud who believed Him, “If you stay in My Word, you are truly My taught ones, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:26-32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Son of Man has been lifted up, and we should know that he Jesus (Jeshua) is the one to follow and to belief. He said he was the son of God and the son of man who loved his Father and prayed to Him. We also should do as Jesus and be aware of the importance to know the Father. To get to know this Father of Jesus we do have to listen to the words of Christ but also to the words of the One to whom Jesus was listening. To listen to the one who   sent him and taught him we do have to take up the Bible, read in it and think about the Words of God which are written in it.

As followers of Christ, being called Christians, we should hold to Christ his teaching, only then we can become considered to be really his disciples. Only by listening to Jesus words and to the Words of his Father we shall get to know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

English: Reading of the Torah, Aish Synagogue, Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though Jesus himself knew that when he would be gone, many would stand up and come to preach all sorts of things.  Like savage wolves several preachers will come in among the people and to those who believe in Jesus they would bring all sorts of teachings which would bring confusion. For Jesus it was clear that they would not spare the flock. He even warned that even from among their own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the pupils or talmidim after themselves. “So stay alert!” Jesus warned his disciples and also us. Because the word said so many years ago are still going today.

In the short time of  three years public life, Jesus warned those around him night and day. The apostle Paul did the same as Christ, he never stopped warning the members of the meeting. But he knew his time on this world was very short and he had to go and therefore he entrusted them to the care of  God and to the message of His love and kindness. He did that because it could build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.
“And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, how I was with you all the time, serving the Master with all humility, with many tears and trials which befell me by the plotting of the Yehudas I kept back no matter that was profitable, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, witnessing to Yehudand also to Greeks: repentance toward Elohim and belief in our Master יהושע (Jeshua) Messiah. “And now see, I go bound in the spirit to Yerushalayim, not knowing what is going to meet me there, except that the Set-apart Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that chains and pressures await me. “But I do not count my life of any value to me, so that I might accomplish my mission with joy, and the service which I received from the Master יהושע , to bear witness to the Good News of the favour of Elohim. “And now see, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the reign of Elohim, shall see my face no more. “Therefore I witness to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all. “For I kept not back from declaring to you all the counsel of Elohim. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Set-apart Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of Elohim which He has purchased with His own blood. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves {1} shall come in among you, not sparing the flock. {Footnote: 1See Mt. 7:15-23, Mt. 10:16, Lk. 10:3, John 10:12}. “Also from among yourselves men shall arise, speaking distorted teachings, to draw away the taught ones after themselves. “Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease to warn each one with tears. “And now, brothers, I commit you to Elohim and to the word of His favour, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those having been set apart. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or garments. “And you yourselves know that these hands supplied my needs, and for those who were with me. “All this I did show you, by labouring like this, that you ought to help the weak. And remember the words of the Master יהושע  (Jeshua), that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” ” (Acts 20:18-35 The Scriptures 1998+)

“But He (יהושע Jeshua) answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה (Jehovah).’ ”{1 Footnote: 1Dt. 8:3}.” (Matthew 4:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

If we want to find the full meaningful life we should trust יהושע Jesus and get to know the words of his Father  יהוה our Elohim, who is the only one we do have to honour and serve the best we can.

“Then יהושע (Jeshua)  said to him, “Go, Satan! For it has been written, ‘You shall worship יהוה  (Jehovah) your Elohim, and Him alone you shall serve.’ ”{1 Footnote: 1Dt. 6:13}. (Matthew 4:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

We should know it is not from the physical and practical worldly work that we can get the most out of our life. We should be well aware that it is the spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words Jesus has spoken to the world are spirit and life, and should be followed up.

““It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh does not profit at all. The words that I speak to you are Spirit and are life. {1 Footnote: 1See v. 68, and 1 Cor. 15:45}. Word and Spirit are in unity. ” (John 6:63 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus has let his disciples know God so that his Father could make his disciples competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

“And such trust we have toward Elohim, through the Messiah. Not that we are competent in ourselves to reckon any matter as from ourselves, but our competence is from Elohim, who also made us competent as servants of a renewed covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. ” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

Your God Is Here (Photo credit: sutton_steven)

We can find many letters on papers or on the screen, but the words shall have to get meaning. There have been many writers, but those who were in the hands of God and wrote down the Words of God, can bring us the most important words to go through life in the best way.

Peter, who believed Jesus was the Holy One of God and  Christ, the Son of the living God, asked the Master where to go to but knew Jesus had the words of real life, eternal life. (John 6:68-69) In the short time Jesus preached he showed the people they could find that mysterious life and all the answers in the Book of Books. Though they may have been written in the past they were written to teach us, so that with the encouragement of the Tanakh or the scriptures, we might patiently hold on to our hope.

“And all these came upon them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come, ” (1 Corinthians 10:11 The Scriptures 1998+)
“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 3:16-17 NIV)

Knowing that the Holy Scriptures only can be God-breathed we can be assured that they are also profitable for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness. By reading and studying the Word of God we can get to know God better but also can get to know how to work at our self, so that we as men of God may ourself become complete, and completely equipped for every good work in a different way than a heathen doing good works. We shall get to see that the Word of God is so powerful that it also shall expose us for what we really are. We can never hide for God, He knows our inner thoughts. But for humans we can perhaps put on an other mask and  shield. Jehovah God does know everything of us. He knows when we sit and when we stand up and discerns our inclinations from afar (Psalms 139:2).

When we are going to search the Scriptures it is important that we do it with the right reasons, because the Adonai Jehovah Elohim, the Most High searches the heart and tests the inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.

““I, יהוה (Jehovah), search the heart, I try the kidneys, and give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. ” (Jeremiah 17:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

When we take up the Book of the Word of God and read in the Bible regularly is shall be able to form  and transform us. By reading His Word we shall get to know what He says to us and what He wants from us. We shall get to know the tools to make us stronger and to resist temptations. It shall give us insight of what is good and of what is wrong (sin). In the words we shall find how we shall be able to please God and how we can avoid going against His wishes (sinning). By avoiding sin or doing what is wrong we can safeguard ourselves from the consequences of such wrong doing.

In the Book of Books we shall be able to find out how to behave in this world. Out of the many writings we shall be able to filter the necessary things to work on ourselves. Not only shall we will learn what kind of mental outlook we have, but also how to come to a better mental outlook.  By letting the Words work in us we shall be able to learn patience instead of anger. Our minds shall also get clearer. We shall be able to control our thinking much more so that we shall have not to think about bad things but shall find ourselves more thinking of  of good things instead of dwelling on the negative. In the transformation we can undergo by reading regularly the Bible we shall be able to learn real love and compassion instead

of love based on sexuality, personal greed or selfishness, and harsh intolerance. Humility instead of arrogance shall come into the heart which shall become more open to everyone whatsoever his conviction.

The many stories of other people shall give us more insight in how they have behave, what the consequences were and how we should behave. We shall be able to discover the many instructions on how to treat our spouse or other people, how to raise our children, how to act on the job, how to react to others or to help them, even how to be good for those who may be hurting us and giving them chances to become better citizens as well. The Bible shall learn us to comfort those who are hurting.

In the Words of God we shall be able to find a way to become better persons ourselves and how to make life easier and more enjoyable for us and those around us. By learning how we can have assurances in our life because we can trust Jesus and we can count on his Father, who shall always be there for those who look for Him.  On Jehovah God we may count that at any moment He shall be there with us to give us strength in our weakness, to give us faith when we doubt, and to give us peace when we are in turmoil. In times of hardship we shall be able to find comfort by taking up His Word, by reading in the Bible.

 

Torah (Photo credit: quinet)

The more we read in the Holy Scriptures the more we shall learn about God and what He wants for us. By studying His Word it will teach us also who we are in relation to Him.As we read and study the Bible, we shall discover that God is making us a new creation as he shall help us reach our full human potential. Jehovah, the Creator of everything, has provided the human race with The Bible as our Instruction Book. We shall be confronted with questions. We also shall have to make choices in what to believe or in which way to go further. But when we really want to be open minded and want to put away all the dogma’s which we have learned by the human teachings and biased popular human writings, we shall find that the Bible can be an eye opener which has all the answers for our life. By reading it regularly it shall become easier to discern God’s direction in our life. Full understanding only comes from time spent in His word. Though we shall not have to expect miracles overnight. It shall not bring an incredible change in a one two three click of the fingers. But day by day it shall bring some small changes into our personality and over the months or years you shall be able to grow to a new person, reaching at one point the turning point of becoming as ‘reborn’.

We do hope you want to be patient and want to read the Holy Scriptures, more than once, so that it can become a special experience which gets you away from this harsh world more than once in a lifetime.

No matter what happens know that everything exposed to the light is revealed clearly for what it is (Ephesians 5:13) and that God is willing to answer your prayers as long as they are consistent with His Will. He will give to each of us what our deeds deserve. (Revelation 2:23)

““Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. ” (Matthew 7:7 The Scriptures 1998+)

Therefore make time to read the Bible. Dig in the Holy Scriptures to find who is who and to find new pastures plus to get to know what Gods Plan is with this world. Are not afraid to pray to God before you start your reading sessions. In case you can read with somebody else you shall be able to discuss the read fragments with each other and can help each other to get a better understanding of the exposed material. When you read the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures take time to observe those things Gods Words presents to you. Try to hear what God wants to tell to you and incorporate those teachings in your life.

Whatever you read or see let it always be in the light of Gods Word. Let every word or action be checked with what the Bible enlightens you and take the according action to make the right changes.

And always remember that if you want to be a Christian it is even more important to read the Holy Scriptures than if you would not believe in a god or in the God we should honour.

Do not wait until it is tomorrow or to late to study the Bible. It is a too much important book not to spend important time to it.

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Previous article: The Importance Of Scripture

Please do find out how reading in the Bible can also give insight of how and what is going to happen to the world:

1. Written to recognise the Promissed One
2. On the Nature of Christ
3. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
4. Another way looking at a language #6 Set apart
5. Another way looking at a language #7 Lingua Franca
6. The Bible and names in it
7. Reasons to come to gether

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Read also:

1. Why believing the Bible
2. How was the Bible put together and by whom?
3. A Book written by God
4. How many people wrote the Bible?
5. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
6. In which languages was the Bible originally written?
7. Can we rely on scripture?
8. How can we be sure that the Bible is true?
9. When did the word “holy” get added to “holy bible”?
10. What scriptures address the timelessness of the Bible?
11. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
12. How many chapters and verses are in the Bible?
13. A book sufficiently profound as to cause its readers to “think”
14. Bringing Good News into the world
15. What does the name of each book of the Bible mean?
16. What is the Pentateuch?
17. Old and New Testament not discordant
18. How did the NT canon become established? Did the church decide what books it should include?
19. In what year was each book of the Bible written?
20. Where is the middle of the Bible?
21. What book of the Bible has only two chapters?
22. Are Paul’s writings guidelines for the times or commands for us today?
23. What do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 mean?
24. Should the Gospel of Thomas be included in the Bible?
25. Why can’t Bible scholars agree on how to interpret the Bible?
26. Why are some authors of Bible books unknown?
27. Determined To Stick With Truth.
28. Cell phone vs. Bible
29. Bible for you and for life
30. Power in the life of certain
31. Possibility to live
32. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
33. Forbidden fruit
34. Youth has difficulty Bible Reading
35. Gathering to chat about subjects wich could be related to the Bible
36. What English Bible do you use?
37. Choosing some Bible translations: Bijbelvertalingen Selecteren
38. Appointed to be read
39. I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! . –Psalm 119:127
40. People don’t hunt out “loopholes” when they are seeking to love God and neighbours
41. The Bible is a today book
42. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
43. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
44. Bible like puddle of water
45. Chief means by which men are built up
46. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
47. Live much in the Bible
48. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
49. How can we feel the Holy Spirit in our lives?
50. What happens to people who twist Scripture for their own evil designs?
51. What is the devil’s Bible?
52. Does the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible?
53. Does the Quran contradict the Bible?

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)

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