Many are willing to accept religion as it comes to them. It might be said, “The preacher said it, so it must be right,” or “This is how we’ve always done it.” Is this how God would have us to think about religion?
In Acts 17:11, we are told of the Bereans. The scripture says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The word that they received in this passage was the word that was preached by the Apostle Paul. The Bible says that they received it with readiness of mind, but it also says that they searched the scriptures to see if those things (that the Apostle Paul preached) were so! Isn’t this a far cry from the statement, “The preacher said, so it must be right?” If the Bereans were commended for challenging what an apostle taught with the scripture, shouldn’t we do likewise with what the preacher says?
The Bible also says that we are to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15) We are to give attention to the things of God, that we might be approved (accepted) by him. The Bible says that each of us is to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) If we fail to do this, no one can do it for us.
The wonderful thing that the scripture reveals to us is that God has revealed to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). When we search the scriptures, we find everything necessary to be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
With these things in mind, we should make time in our lives to search the scriptures to make our “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). If we do not do this, no one can or will do it for us.
The Psalmist said, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way…Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. “ Psalm 119:104-105
Do you let God’s word light your path each day?
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright 2006 Mance J. Davis Jr.
