Thanks again.
I’m studying everyday by taking notes on lessons learned from verses and looking up explanations for verses I struggle to understand.
Have you any advice for efficient studying?
Yes. I have an entire study on how to study the Bible. However, not to overburden, start this way:
“... not I, but Christ ...” [Galatians 2:20],
This means do not come to scripture to obtain what you will, but what God wills for you. Be humble, be prayerful, be submitted to what it says to you.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me [Christ Jesus].” [John 5:39],
Search the scriptures for the right reason, to know eternal life, a person, Jesus Christ, and not merely theory of theology. This eternal life is the living way and not merely mental ascent to a doctrine. It is to come to scripture to learn how to live as Jesus (even God) lives.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” [John 7:17],
If you come to scripture in the humble heart, you will know truth from error. God promised. We cannot of our ownselves discern between good and evil, right and wrong. It requires the Holy Ghost.
“... Every one that is of the truth heareth my [Christ Jesus'] voice.” [John 18:37]
If you are sincere and true with God, you will understand the will of God for you.
“He [Christ Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [John 3:30],
This is like the saying in Galatians 2:20. When going to the scripture, we are looking for more of God's will, and less of our own carnal desires, and when we do this, His will, becomes our own will, and we love to do that which God asks, as it is always right, true, pure, etc.
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” [1 Thessalonians 5:21],
Test everything by the scripture (KJB), for it is good, but more than this, hold fast to God who is good.
“... in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” [Matthew 18:16],
Do not merely take one verse or passage and build a doctrine, but take at minimum two and three which are plain and begin there, but do not end there. Take two or three from the OT and from the NT and make sure thy foundation is upon Christ Jesus. To truly understand a word in scripture, search in every place that word is used and read every context, and your mind will have the truth if you accept what it says.
“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” [1 Corinthians 14:32],
“... Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” [2 Chronicles 20:20],
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” [Isaiah 8:20],
“It is written...” [Matthew 4:4],
“... thus saith the LORD ...” [Haggai 2:6],
“... the scripture cannot be broken.” [John 10:35],
“...God, that cannot lie...” [Titus 1:2],
“That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie...” [Hebrews 6:18],
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” [2 Timothy 3:16],
“The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” [Psalms 12:6],
“[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.” [2 Samuel 22:31],
“[As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.” [Psalms 18:30],
“LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” [Psalms 119:89],
And we are warned in Scripture about our correct use of Scripture, and that we are not to “wrest” [2 Peter 3:16], neither mishandle it deceitfully:
“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” [Proverbs 30:6]
So also of the Ten Commandments:
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” [Deuteronomy 4:2]
In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, again [which covers the "Everlasting Gospel" from Creation to Re-Creation, Beginning to End]:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:” [Revelation 22:18]
“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.” [Revelation 22:19]
For even Balaam knew better, for he wisely said:
“And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.” [Numbers 22:18]
“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?” [Numbers 24:13]
Even another messenger of the LORD is clear:
“...Yet no man has a right to add to or subtract from any other book written by inspiration of God. ...” - Early Writings, p. 137.3 or Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1, p. 9.4
Therefore, let us clearly understand that:
“... no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation...” [2 Peter 1:20],
Let us be like the more noble Bereans, which were:
“... more noble than those in Thessalonica...” [Acts 17:11],
even,
“... rightly dividing the word of truth...” [2 Timothy 2:15],
Let us follow the Commandments of Jesus, so that we:
“Quench not the Spirit.” [1 Thessalonians 5:19],
and,
“... grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” [Ephesians 4:30].
Now let us come together unto God in humility, meekness, supplication and prayer, seeking and asking to know more fully His will, for He says,
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD...” [Isaiah 1:18].
There is a lot more.