The Blessings Of Bible Study

Few spiritual blessings are realized in such an immediate way as the blessing one receives from a study of the Bible. The Psalmist pronounced a blessing upon the man whose “delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2 KJV). A special blessing is extended to those reading the prophesy of the Revelation of John (Revelation 1:3 KJV).

The blessings of Bible study ought never be underestimated, neither is immediate benefit or the far-reaching benefit of eternal life. Jesus identified His own words as “spirit and they are life” (John 6:63 KJV). Spiritual life is granted through the words of Scripture as we are drawn to God and hear and learn of the Father (John 6:64-65 KJV). Through a knowledge of the Bible, we come to Jesus, as the Lord invites all to take His easy "yoke" upon their shoulders (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV).

The blessings from Bible study are immediate because the Bible helps us see ourselves as we really are. James compares a man who reads the Scripture and then fails to make application, to a man “beholding his natural face in a glass; for he behold himself, and goeth his way and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:24 KJV). To not make application of the Scripture in our lives, is like noticing a dirt mark on our faces while we look into a mirror and then forget to wash. James goes on to say in the next verse that if proper application is made, that man “shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25 KJV).

Bible study affords our own lives the constant benefit of analyzing our own lives and proving our own selves, as Paul said, “whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). The benefits of Bible study will be finally realized in eternity. The “sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:8 KJV), will come as a result to those who know the truth and have "hope" of eternal life (Titus 1:1-2 KJV). Wise is the servant indeed who makes Bible study a part of regular and daily devotion to God. Realizing these benefits, no child of God should keep himself from the public meeting of the church in which God’s Word is studied.

Jesus asked one lawyer “how readest thou?” (Luke 10:26 KJV); so too, public studies can assist us in seeing if our conclusions are valid and sure. We can also assist others as did Ezra in Nehemiah 8:8 KJV, which says, “So they read in the book in the law distinctly, and gave them the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” The next time the church assembles to study the Bible, my prayer is that every member of the church will take this grand opportunity, realizing in their own life, the blessing afforded them. —Holger Neubauer

 —Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets