An Urgent Appeal To Search the Scriptures, “How Readest Thou?”, Part 1

August, 2002

by: Jim Barnfather

A few months ago I quickly read a 62 page book written by J. C. Ryle. I began to reflect on my personal study of God's Word. I then slowly reread the book, page by page, word by word. During the next few months I would like to share with you this life-changing book, “How Readest Thou?”

Consider the following: The single most best selling book of all time is the least read. Do not take light what you do with such a book. It is in a practical sense a matter of life or death. There is no book in existence written by such an author or in such a manner as the Bible.

The Bible is “given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16). A Holy, Almighty and Loving God put forth into the writers thoughts and ideas as He guided their pen. When you read the Bible, you are not reading the self taught composition of imperfect men like ourselves, but the words of the eternal, perfect God. They “spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). All other books however good and useful in their own way, are more or less defective, when compared to God's Word. The Bible alone stands perfect. From the beginning to the end, all 66 books, it is “the Word of God.” Penned by not less than 30 authors from every class and profession over a span of 1500 years, there is a perfect unity and harmony in the contents of the Bible. There is and can only be one satisfactory answer to the content of the Bible. The Bible is not of man, but of God. It was written under the direct inspiration of God.

As you read, study, and meditate on the words of our God and Heavenly Father, draw close to Him as He reveals His purpose for your life. Reflect on each book, chapter, phrase, and word of Holy Scripture. Here and here alone will be the wisdom, sublimity, and directives for our lives and our obedience to His graceful gift of salvation.

Our call as the body of Christ is simple, “Take it up and read it!” It is not to be treated lightly what we do with this book, the Bible. It is the oracles of God (Rom. 3:2, 15:4). Step back for a moment and consider these simple questions. What are you doing with the Bible? Do you read it at all? How well do you study it? … How Readest Thou?

My prayer for the coming months is that these words of Paul to Timothy will be burned in our hearts (2 Tim. 2:15), “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”