At the time of the new birth, the believer is given the gift of holy spirit. This gift is given by God so that through His power and His spiritual help we may grow to be more like Christ. The key to bringing that spiritual power into evidence is set forth in Romans, chapter 12.
Romans 12:1 and 2:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Our lives are transformed as we renew our minds. One definition of the renewed mind is to hold the Word in mind and act accordingly. As we “prove” the Word of God by applying it, we begin to manifest the greatness of what God made us in Christ. The renewed mind is the key to power, and four important steps in the process of renewing the mind are (1) study the Word of God, (2) recognize our position in Christ as sons of God, (3) practice the presence of God, and (4) live with the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation.
Let’s consider the first of those steps, which is to “study the Word of God.” We’ll do that by looking at what it is to study from a Biblical perspective and by seeing that the Scriptures warrant our full attention. Then we’ll cover five practical keys to help us study and apply God’s Word more consistently and effectively.
II Timothy 2:15 shows us that God expects us to be good students of His Word.
II Timothy 2:15:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy is a leadership epistle; however, this verse has practical application to all believers. We stand approved unto God by our study and right dividing of His Word. The Greek word translated “study” here shows us the discipline and attitude of heart with which we are to learn God’s Word. According to E. W. Bullinger’s A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, it means “to speed, make haste, (as manifested in diligence, earnestness, zeal, etc.).” In The Bible Tells Me So, Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, our ministry’s Founding President, stated regarding this verse, “… the depth of the meaning of ‘study’ is to expend a diligent effort, remembering the brevity of time. In other words, ‘Give it everything you’ve got.’ God is telling us to exert an effort earnestly and diligently, utilizing our time wisely….”
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I was a student in high school and college, I did not always approach my studies with that kind of attitude. When I applied a diligent effort remembering the brevity of time, it was usually because I was “cramming” for an exam since I had not previously studied and utilized my time wisely. After being taught this verse and understanding God’s heart on the matter, I decided to take my Biblical studies seriously. God expects us as workmen to study so that we know what His Word says.
The Word of God in its originally revealed form is the Word of Truth. Jesus Christ testified to that in John 17:17. But we have the true Word only to the extent that it is rightly divided. Therefore, if we are going to put the Word of God in our minds and act accordingly, it is imperative that we take action upon truth instead of error. The only way to rightly divide the Word of God is to study it (II Timothy 2:15). It’s easy to see why studying the Word of God is the first step in renewing the mind.
We can trust God and His Word. Here is just a sampling of verses showing us why the Word of God warrants our attention, allegiance, and diligent study.
Psalms 119:160:
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
The truth of God’s Word stands forever. The same cannot be said of the philosophies and doctrines of men.
Psalms 138:2:
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
God magnified His Word above all His name. He underwrites, puts His endorsement to, every detail of it. The Word of God stands above all of God’s creation as the greatest of His wonderful works. It “liveth and abideth” forever (I Peter 1:23). It endures. We can trust in its integrity and accuracy….
This is an excerpt from the September/October 2015 issue of The Way Magazine.
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