True Spiritual Education
Most
people fail to recognize that God is the great Educator. The Bible is His
instruction book given to all mankind. It contains all necessary spiritual
education. Paul wrote Timothy: “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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible and those books based on the
Bible are the only ones of real spiritual value. The Bible provides so much. It
outlines doctrine. The Bible provides reproof and correction for us while we
walk on the path of this human life. Of all things, it gives us instruction in
righteousness, or how to live, think and act like God (Matthew 5:48). If we
don’t love and study the Bible, we are doomed to spiritual failure.
Paul
also taught Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy
2:15). Unfortunately, what was actually revealed by the abc News program
mentioned earlier was the depth of spiritual shame in this world. Even those
men who appeared to be speaking from the Bible were not. Had that program been
founded on and taught the truth of the Bible, it could have made a major impact
on this religiously dark and confused world.
You
do not have to be ashamed. Take up Paul’s admonition to rightly divide the
Bible. The Bible is highly organized in seven divisions—it is a complete
package. These divisions are the Law, the Prophets, the Writings, the Gospels,
Acts, the Epistles and Revelation.
It
is vitally important to know these divisions. Why? When people become
interested in the Bible, they generally want to begin reading with Genesis
through to Revelation. Although reading the Bible straight through is a good
idea, without understanding its divisions this can introduce frustration. The
Bible is not like a story book. It is a collection of books, like an
encyclopedia.
The
Bible is best studied by subject. Here is why. God coded the book so He could
reveal it only to those minds willing to be corrected by and obedient to it.
God purposely designed the Bible to be like a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces of
the puzzle must be put together correctly for us to come to a right
understanding of any one subject. Isaiah confirms this fact: “Whom shall he
teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are
weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon
precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little,
and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10). Be assured that God wants to teach you
spiritual knowledge. He does not want to hide anything from us. Yet you will
have to show yourself mature enough to see and believe what God shows you.
Rightly divide the Word of truth, and it will change your life. see Part 5
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