Outside of salvation scripture is the greatest gift that we have received from God. The Bible is meant to edify, teach, correct, and even be an example to God’s people. Yet there are so many people who claim to believe in God but simply do not know scripture. Outside of a few verses that have been heavily used in the pulpit of course.
Truthfully it is a shame that so many Christians do not have a working knowledge of scripture. Because it is by knowing scripture that we can understand what it truly takes to be saved, that we can live out our love of Christ, and keep ourselves out of danger. There is no excuse for Christians today either for it has never been easier to gain a personal understanding of scripture.
Knowing What It Takes To Be saved
It is only through knowing the Bible yourself that you are truly able to understand what it takes to be saved. Yes, you have heard it preached time and time again and you believe you have received salvation. But can you explain what one must do to be saved and why? Could you take a Bible and show someone else what they would need to do to receive salvation?
Without a true knowledge of scripture, you may never be able to get past the plan of salvation given by Peter in Acts. That tells us what to do but in that short passage does not break down the why. But with just a slight understanding of other parts of scripture that can be easily shown.
Acts 2:38 (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:47 (ESV)
47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Mark 16:16 (ESV)
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Ezekiel 11:19–20 (ESV)
19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
The truth of the matter is that you need to know the scripture for yourself. To know that you are saved according to the word of God and not man’s word. And so you can fulfill the calling placed on all Christians to share the Gospel
If You Love Jesus…
John 14:15 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Jesus said that those who love Him will follow His commandments. But without a knowledge of the scripture that’s not possible. Church attendance will never add up to enough time to learn all that Jesus instructed His followers to be. That’s why every Christian must take time to read the Bible and gain a personal understanding of God’s inspired word.
The Danger of a Lack of Knowledge
Biblical knowledge will keep you out of danger. The devil’s goal is to cause Christians to turn away from God and back to a sinful lifestyle. Having a lack of knowledge will make his job so much easier. But those who know scripture are able to fight back the devil at every step. Just as we see Jesus did when satan tried to tempt him in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:8–11 (ESV)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
By combating the devil with scripture Jesus was able to keep from giving into sin. We too can do the same thing when we combat the devil’s temptation with God’s word causing satan to flee from us for a season.
Luke 4:13 (ESV)
13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The devil is not the only danger we must worry about. Scripture tells us that false prophets will come forth and they will try to lead many astray. It is so easy for those that do not know the Bible to be tricked into believing false doctrine.
Acts 20:29–30 (ESV)
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Following those who claim to serve God but really twist, change, remove from, and add to scripture. All for their own personal gain. Sadly many follow false teachers die to a lack of biblical knowledge and blindly stumble away from the God of the Bible and their salvation.
2 Peter 2:1–3 (ESV)
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Easier Than Ever
For thousands of years, it was not easy for the common person to be able to know scripture. Bibles were few and far between. Not only that but scripture was most often only allowed to be read by church officials. However, this is thankfully not the case today.
Today more than ever every Christians are able to spend time in God’s word. Bibles are everywhere and many organizations are willing to provide them at no cost. Not only that but every person with a smartphone can read and even listen to the Bible for absolutely free.
There are no excuses for Christians to not have a life-changing and saving knowledge of God’s word. Don’t believe that going to church alone will cause you to know scripture. It’s so important that you start putting in the work today and begin to really know God’s word for yourself. Whether that means reading or listening do whatever works best for you and will cause you to store God’s word in your heart.
Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Hopefully, you can see that knowing scripture is not just something you should do. But something that you must if you want to know you have truly received salvation. If you want to truly express the love you claim to have for Jesus Christ. And if you want to steer clear of the dangers that can cause you to fall back into sin.
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