THE BIBLE AND BIBLE STUDY

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND BIBLE STUDY

Presented Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Devotional Text: Josh. 1:8; 2Tim.2:14-15

INTRODUCTION:

The injunction of the Holy Scripture which stresses that one should, “study to show oneself approved unto GOD, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of TRUTH” {2Tim. 2:15} is a DIVINE call to a keen ministerial preparation on GOD’ WORD for the ministry of the LORD, as the expression, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein, and then, you shall make your way prosperous, as well as have good success” {Josh. 1:8} calls for sober reflection and proper application of the WORD of GOD in one’s life, for success in life and ministry, and so, the two scriptures are a call to a meticulous attention to GOD’S HOLY WORD.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The study of GOD’S WORD equips one for the ministry of the LORD, {2Tim. 2:15}

(2)     A decline in the study of GOD’S WORD results in one’s disapproval before GOD, {vs. 15}

(3)     Meditation on GOD’S WORD makes one prosperous and successful in ministry, {Josh. 1;8}

(4)     One who fails in study and meditation on GOD’S WORD definitely fails in ministry, {vs. 8}

GOD’S WORD AND SUCCESS IN MINISTRY

Success in ministry is WORD-BASED, and so, one who fails in GOD’S WORD fails in ministry. And, note that, it is not the crowd one pulls that is success in ministry, in GOD’S SIGHT, but the number of souls one leads to heaven through one’s WORD-BASED preaching, and every preaching on GOD’S WORD that cannot save souls is meaningless. No doubt, observable truth today, is that many preachers water-down the WORD of GOD for large unconverted membership, which is an aberration of the gospel handed down to us, by JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED LORD and the apostles. For, we are called to reconcile people to GOD, and not to enhance their potentials for earthly achievements, which is now the focus of most pulpits, {2Cor. 5:18-19}. Therefore, the DIVINE call that one should, “study to show oneself approved unto GOD”...{2Tim. 2:15} is a call to study and understand:

(i)                   What GOD approves as real success in ministry, {vs. 15}

(ii)                 That, the basic reason why JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR

came to this world is to save sinners, Luke 19:10}

(iii)                That, there is no success in ministry, if people are not saved by our preaching, {vs. 10}

GOD’S WORD AND PROSPERITY IN MINISTRY

In the previous unit, the term “success”, which means achieving the results wanted or hope for, is the mainstay of the message, as the term “prosperity”, which this unit focuses on, simply means the state of being successful or the condition of enjoying wealth, success or good fortunes. And, the two passages of the Bible, 2Timothy 2:15 and Joshua 1:8, as cited, point to the minister of GOD and his study, cum meditation on the WORD of GOD, but now, drives towards the way the minister could achieve a WORD-BASED prosperity in ministry. There is no gainsaying the fact that when people are saved, they bring their wealth to the church, as well as receive more from the LORD, whereby, the ministry of our GOD and GREAT KING enjoys prosperity. But, everything becomes wrong when people join a church by means of false preaching, which lures them into dubious achievements, and so, are barred out of GOD’S KINGDOM, without knowing it, as the WORD-BASED prosperity minsters of GOD will always study {Tim2:15} and meditate {Jos. 1:8} on the WORD OF GOD, as well as focus their preaching on the biblical truth that makes people:

(i)                   Seek first the kingdom of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, as the LORD brings good prosperity, {Matt. 6:33}

(ii)                 Know that, “it profits one nothing, if one gains the whole world, but loses one’s soul” {Mark 8:36-37}

(iii)                Understand that, it is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY who gives the power to make food wealth, {Deut. 8:17-18}.

GOD’S WORD AND THE PURITY OF LIFE

The importance of the study of the Bible for the purity of life cannot be over-emphasised. The expression, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to YOUR WORD {Psalm 119:9} confirms this sacred truth, as the narrative, “I have hidden YOUR WORD in my heart that I may not sin against YOU” {vs. 11} highlights that, meditation on GOD’S WORD is of immerse value. And, the one who does not tow the part of purity is alien to this gospel truth, and cannot really relate with the LORD our GREAT GOD, since HE is HOLY, and without holiness no eye shall see HIM {Heb. 12:14}, coupled with the scriptural truth that “only the pure in heart shall see GOD, {Matt. 5:8}. Therefore, one who does not study {2 Tim. 2:15} and meditate {Josh. 1:8} on GOD’S WORD can hardly establish a link with HIM, and can never claim to have good success, cum prosperity in the ministry of the LORD. Thus, indicates that, GOD:

(i)                   Brings good success and prosperity only to one who study, meditate and live by HIS WORD, {Josh. 1:8}

(ii)                 HAS no HANDS in the success and prosperity of one who does not study, meditate and live

 by HIS WORD, for good success and prosperity, [vs. 8}

(iii)                HAS given HIS WORD for study and meditation, as well as established it as an indispensible

 means of purity of life {Psalm 119:9}, good success {Jos. 1:8} and prosperity, {vs. 8}

   In conclusion, this lesson has pointed out the obvious truth that, the study {2 Tim. 2:15}, meditation {Jos. 1:8} and paying heed to the WORD of GOD {vs. 8} result in good success and prosperity in the life and ministry of GOD’S minister and the ordinary believer, and that anything short of this, is counter-productive and destructive {Mark 8:36-37}. PLEASE, LEARN TO STUDY, MEDITATE AND LIVE BY GOD’S WORD!