Monday, January 4, 2016

(01/04/2016) From Cover to Cover?

Reading the Bible from “cover to cover” is the topic, today.  For many, the Scriptures are merely an artifact from ancient times, an old, old book, and an historical relic.  They must begin to “see with new eyes” and recognize that the Scriptures are a record of deeds performed by GOD, and words spoken from divinity to benefit all created beings and living creatures.  Included are sacred law, proclamations, promises, and prophecies that deposit the divine nature within mankind.  Consider the following verses from the Bible:

James 1:  21-25, King James Version (KJV):  1 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Titus 2:  11-13, KJV:  11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2nd Timothy 3:  15-17, KJV:  15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Romans 10:  13-17, KJV:  13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Chris C” (Level 2 with 636 points, a member since June 13, 2006) posted the following:


Which books of the Bible are best skipped when reading the Bible cover to cover?

When we do Bible study we restrict ourselves to certain books of the Bible. I was considering reading the Bible cover to cover but have been told that it is better to skip a few books, as they may be unhelpful. Which ones do you think are best avoided and can you say why?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.  (Deuteronomy 8:  1-5, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Bad GOD, Good GOD? (01/03/2016); By Faith, Not By Interpretation? (12/31/2015); In Times of Progress? (12/21/2015); Sacred Events Were Dismissed? (11/05/2015); A Correct Church? (10/05/2015); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); The Apocryphal Books? (08/07/2015); Those Who Read? (02/17/2015); Points on Bible Study (06/28/2014)


“Chris C”, I recommend you read the entire Bible at least once; however, that will serve as only a first step in your acquiring full sacred knowledge.  You may then do as many others who read and re-read the Scriptures, even exploring multiple language versions and translations.  Many Christian believers are asking “How much knowledge from the Bible do we need to be saved?” and some even ask, “Do we need the Bible at all…?”  The ancient holy writings are available to us as a fixed, and unchanging resource that can be used to bear out the continuing operations of divinity in our own lives, today.  Believers are to trust that the Scriptures have been provided by Deity as a sacred device for revelation (i.e., making divinity known, present, and visible).  Spirit content from the makeup of GOD is to be imparted to the believer.  Included are awe (we say, fear of the Lord), faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Many want to approach the Scriptures using their skills and tools for gathering secular knowledge.  They center their growth and learning upon finite elements such as human history, intellect, logic, philosophy, science, and technology.  As yet, none of those things have been sufficient to overcome and remove sin as a condition for life among created beings and living creatures.  The holy writings do provide information important for communication, exchange and interaction within the community of faith; however, we are not saved on the basis of how many books we have read, how many verses we may quote.

All in positions of leadership and trust should have a complete and comprehensive knowledge of the things from GOD for the benefit of mankind.  Included are parents, teachers, and elected government officials.  Those who will lead and share within the church are specially correct to seek a full and thorough experience of the word.  In addition to discussion and study of the Bible, they also should embrace baptism, confession, contemplation, praise, prayer, repentance, and worship.

Believers are correct to sing, “Just as I am, without one plea….”  At best, what we can know of GOD while we are still upon the earth is limited, and merely a small piece from a huge universe.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC


New Disclaimer

No comments:

Post a Comment