I can't wait - dee bowman

I Can't Wait

by Dee Bowman
Southside Church of Christ
Pasadena, Texas

It seems to me that we may have reduced Bible study to a matter of obligation, when in fact it should be seen as a glorious opportunity. There is so much good that can come from Bible study. It can make a better life , it can make you understand your real purpose in life and challenge you to fulfill that purpose. It can cause you to develop a higher view of life by making you aware of what is actually important as opposed to what only seems to be so. It can make you better at whatever you position in life—a better father, mother, son, daughter, workman, citizen. It can even give you principles to guide your actions in times of duress and pressure and help you learn to deal with people on a higher plane. It just makes good sense to study the Bible.

But what don’t we study as we ought?

First, let it carefully be noted that the Devil doesn’t want you reading the Bible.

The Bible identifies and underlines sin; it makes it appear to be what it is—abominable. And it warns that you will be judged for having lived in sin. Satan doesn’t like the fact that the Bible recommends worship and describes impiety and seeks to you how to glorify God; and the Devil doesn’t want that done. The Bible, furthermore, identifies Satan’s ways (2 Cor 2:11); and he’d just rather you didn’t know what he looks like or how he does things. He’d just rather you not read it for fear you will understand about life and death and judgment. So, it’s possible that by not studying the Bible you’re falling right into the hands of Satan.

Second, his ploys to keep us from studying the Bible are effective. They work.

“I’m just real busy right now.” And that sounds right. Everyone has work to do. Oh, you intend to read your Bible, right? Tomorrow you’ll get to it. And when you decide that, you have peace of mind because your intentions are good. But what happens when tomorrow comes? Same thing, same excuse, same lack of time. I’m going to. Tomorrow. That works.

“I’m really busy at work right now, but it won’t be long until I get things in order and I’ll study then.” And jobs are important. After all, didn’t God say that whoever doesn’t provide for his own has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel? But such excuses only serve to keep your conscience from biting at you. They pacify you for a while. There’s that intention thing again. “I’ll get to it right soon,” you say to yourself. Well, when? “Pretty soon,” you say? When is that? See? That works, doesn’t it?

“I have to take care of my kids.” And that’s right; they’re your responsibility. You have to make sure you’re getting your kids involved in good things so they’ll have friends and be well-rounded. And then you have to have time to transport them to and from those activities. After all, kids are important and they’re your responsibility, right? See how that works? It pits one responsibility against another and calls on your to make a choice in the matter. But what about their spiritual exercise? What about their spiritual education? What about teaching them about God and good and holiness and honesty? You will? When, did you say?

I’m afraid we’ve not realized the value of Bible study.

Bible study gives you the habit of rapid and consecutive spiritual thinking. When you have a good knowledge of the Bible it affects everything you do—your thinking, your language, your decisions, your attitudes, and your dispositions. You are less apt to make poor decisions when you’re guided by biblical principles. When you have bible principle might nigh at all times it makes for less problems and it makes for peaceful relationships. It just makes good sense to have a good Bible knowledge.

The Bible helps you choose the right people for your friends and associates. It won’t allow you to become entangled with the wrong kind of people. It will warn you when you’re about to make a wrong turn or when you’re going too fast, or when you need to put the brakes on. It keeps you in contact with people who share your values and who are headed in the same direction you are. These kinds of people give you encouragement, prop you up when you’re down, and give you the opportunity to do the same for them.

Bible study helps develop your character. It elevates your thinking so that your potential for good is not measured in terms of excellence, not just success. It shows you the value of small things and elevates small acts of kindness to their rightful place of prominence. It identifies what is true greatness and what is only relatively so. It gives meaning to love and keeps faith active. It identifies hope and makes it a real part of a person’s life and not just a wispy, non-explainable aspiration of some sort. It gives meaning to life and real meaning to life everlasting.

Bible study is just good for you. We must not neglect it. And we can’t afford to not put it off, either. Why don’t we just make a resolution right now that we’re going to do better about it this year. And why don’t we start today? Can you give a good reason why not? Time’s awastin’, folks!

Send Comments or Questions to:
Dee Bowman
2229 W. Clare
Deer Park, TX 77536

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