This may seem like a silly question but far too many people, Christians included, have relied on others to tell them what to believe.
It is wonderful if, as a new Christian, you have someone to guide you; a person who will open the Bible and show you where to find the answers and even help you learn how to study. But you can't stay that way forever.
I realized I couldn't remember why I believed certain things. These were things taught when I was fresh in the Word. It was a time when any research that lasted more then a couple hours must have been exhaustive, at least in my mind.
In addition to spiritual growth, there are many reasons why we need to make each Biblical lesson our own. Many feel that Faith, Trust and Believing are one and the same. Our faith is given because we trust God. We trust God because we believe in His Word. But what do you believe? And more importantly, why do you believe it? I know that I am accountable for my believing. So, why would I take someone's word for it instead of making the Word my own?
Making the Word your own does not mean private interpretation. What it means is that we must study the word in order to be sure that it is rightly divided and to the point that we "get it". ( 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.) In my experience, every single study I have done to completion has always resulted in a "I got it" moment. That's the moment when it all makes sense to you and you know the spirit of God is saying...Yes!
The Bible says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17). This of course is completely true. We are called to witness. As such most people will hear the Word from our lips. Isn't it important that the Words we speak be rightly divided so that we bring others into truth?
So what I am asking you today is...What is your faith worth? Do you have first hand knowledge of what the Bible says or did you let someone show you and just took their word for it? Isn't it possible that as humans we are wrong sometimes? Isn't it possible that God has something new to reveal to you? Don't you want to be able to say "Father, I searched Your Word, I strived to understand You and Your Will with all that I am".
This is not to say that all those who share the Word have bad intentions. Not at all! But the adversary can more easily fool us by making it appear good then by making it obviously bad. How many of you would go out and commit sin full well knowing how hurtful your actions are? How many of you, unknowingly, did something that hurt someone but didn't know it until after you got the facts? This is what I am talking about.
We need to know that we know that we know the Word for ourselves. We can not be spoon-fed and self-feeding. We can not go out into this evil world standing boldly on the Word when we don't really know it. It is not wise to build a house without some type of foundation. It is only a matter of time before the house weakens and collapses. We need the Word and we need first hand study. We live in a world with so many false teachings and so many half-truths to steal us from our Father.
My Lord is my rock, what an awesome foundation I aim to claim!
May God bring you to His truth.
Below are some verses I felt led to share. All are in KJV.
Proverbs 10:13
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (we don't know the depth of our faith until we are tested).
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Whole chapter is awesome!)
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
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