Now that we’ve covered all of the essentials to studying the Bible, we will begin to look at the mechanics of Bible study. There are a few rules when studying the Word, that if they are ignored, you may find yourself going down a rabbit hole.
Let’s start with these “rules” for study:
Three things must be understood before we get into the depth of any passage in scripture.
A study of the three ways that sin enters our lives and how we can defend against its attack.
One of the most common topics of discussion in the professing church today is how believers can overcome sin in their lives. As our culture and society move farther and farther away from God’s principles, sin becomes more and more prevalent, even in the lives of those who claim to be Christians. Most of the formulas that are being presented today as the key to ridding our lives of sin are simply thinly veiled attempts to place people under the laws. Returning to the commandments of the law will not help us overcome sin in our lives. Realizing the truth of grace and who we are in Christ is the only way to truly overcome the power of sin.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
There is perhaps no other single verse in all the Bible that states so clearly the truth of Christ’s life living in believers in the Age of Grace. While most of professing Christendom seeks to make their lives more “Christ-like” this verse presents a totally different path. God’s desire is not to make your life more Christ-like. Rather, he has crucified your life and given you the life of Christ. Living the life of Christ does not make your life more Christ-like but allows the life of Christ that God has placed within you to live out through your body of flesh. There is all the difference in the world between trying to make your life like Christ’s life and living the life of Christ. Our goal is not to make our life like His; it is to live His life in our flesh.
“Is there anything worse than hell?” Recently I was in a meeting at work discussing a major dilemma when someone referred to it as “hell”. Whimsically, the person asked “Is there anything worse than hell?” which created quite a bit of laughter. I laughed along but then turned serious when I realized that there really is nothing worse than hell. It’s eternal,…