Why study Gods Word?

[Sac49]

Sac49,

I'm only trying to understand if you're still asserting your ORIGINAL position,
or if you're now taking a DIFFERENT position.

You originally said this.



Making the point that we should study to "worship" God, rather than studying to have a "relationship" with God.

Then you go on to assert that studying in order to have a "relationship" with God is actually SELF CENTERED, and thus BAD.... as seen in your quote below.




So:

1. You say studying in order "worship" God, is BETTER than studying in order to "grow closer to God".

2. You also say studying in order "grow closer to God" is actually SELF CENTERED and thus BAD.
(Being self-centered is a sin, so studying for self-centered reasons must be, inherently, sinful.)

These are 2 of the points YOU propose in your opening post...
I'm simply asking if you are STILL asserting these points,
or if you have changed your mind, and you are now asserting something different?

So, do you STILL stand by these 2 points?
(If not that's fine, I'd just like to know. I certainly don't care if you've changed your mind; I'd just like to be clear about it.)

Thanks,
Max.

And it is not me you need to agree with. It is Gods Word you need to follow.

 

[notuptome]

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Study Gods word because it is milk and meat for the Christian. Without the word of God we cannot grow. The part that you feed is the part that grows. Grow in Christ through study of the word or grow in the carnal flesh because the Spirit is starved. Christians are born in Christ to grow in Christ. No growth is a matter of eternal consequence and concern.

God is worshipped in Spirit and truth. The word of God is Spirit and truth.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[maxwel]

And it is not me you need to agree with. It is Gods Word you need to follow.

I completely agree!

Can you please post some scripture to support your original assertion?

Please teach me from God's word...
please post some scripture that says studying God's word in order to "grow closer to God" is "self centered" and thus bad.


Thank you,
Max

 

[GODisLOVE7]

There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding in what i am saying. What i am saying is that "if" the main reason for studying Gods Word is "self" then we are not studying His Word for the correct reason. If "self" is first the first reason we study Gods Word then that means God is second. We are to "seek" a relationship with God but God should be first in that relationship. Left on our own we would not seek a relationship with God. God took the first step in the relationship by creating us. He also took the last step in the relationship when He came to earth as the man Jesus to die and rise again defeating death for our sins so that we could have a relationship with Him thru our faith in Jesus. Our "motto" as Christians should be two words...."Jesus first".

All i am saying is that our study of Gods Word should be a "Jesus first" reason for our study.

Am I thinking "Jesus first" or am I thinking of "self" first? This is the reason for this thought.

I am by no means an expert, but as I read, some memories of the past few years of my life come back to me.

There were times when I was so utterly broken, suffering like I have never known, and did not have humans around to "help". The only thing that helped me was pouring myself into prayer and reading the Bible. There was many many days where this is all I had and all I did. I locked myself away to simply focus on the Bible and get to know Him.

Looking at my motivation, it was to turn to Him and receive the comfort/healing He promises (which no human could provide). I presented all the broken pieces of myself at His feet and saying "Help me". What I found was a love that I cannot describe...

One could say my motivation was self-seeking. My goal wasn't worship. My goal was to get healed by the only one that could and to ask for help to "get over" myself.

Obedience and worship blossomed from that.

 

[Ariel82]

Look at how i stated it. "We are to seek a relationship with God but God should be first in that relationship". Before we can have a relationship with God we must give Him glory. We must bow before God as the almighty and confess our sins to Him. Our relationship with God begins with us glorifying Him. If we dont glorify God in this way first then we cannot have a relationship with Him. We must first submit to God by glorifying Him. So therefore glorification of God comes first making Him first in the relationship which we are created to have. But this all only because He reached out to us first. Glorification of God first then the relationship begins. So therefore we are first to study to glorify and worship God so we can have the relationship with Him. Does this help?

So your basically saying/supporting the Bible verse that says "Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom."

If so I agree. We need a healthy respect for God before we try and build a true relationship with Him.

Some people have this false view that God is their personal genie to grant their many desires, but the Bible tells us who God is and how His will is so much better than our own.

Prayer and study is not done in order to change God's mind but conform our hearts and minds to God's will .

 

[Ariel82]

If we approach study with a thought of growing closer to God as a main focus then we will ultimately end up with a self centered reason for studying His Word.

I don't agree with the above statement because there are many ways to worship God besides reading the Bible. Also I don't see how wanting to develop a closer relationship to God by reading the Bible will lead to self centered reasons.

If it's done for that reason I believe God will grant their desire and lead them to deeper worship and alignment with His will. We become less self centered and more God centered, thus more able to worship and glorify God.

I always thought wanting to have a closer relationship with God is a way of glorifying Him because it shows our admiration of God. We typically don't want to develop a deeper relationship with people we don't respect or admire or love.

 

[prove-all]

John 5:39 (KJV)

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.




[h=3]Romans 15:4 (KJV)[/h]

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.​

​

 

[StanJ]

The study of Gods Word is very important to the growth of a Christian (2 Tim 3:16). But it can also be done for the wrong reasons.
There are 3 main reasons for the study of Gods Word;
1: so we can grow closer to God.
2: to worship God
3: to glorify God
Yes, we are to study Gods Word so we can learn how to live our lives for Christ. But this should not be our main purpose for study. Our main purpose in study should be to glorify and worship God. God is the creator of everything so thus deserves our worship and glory. Our purpose in life is to glorify God so we should also be studying The Word to glorify Him. If we approach study in a way as to glorify God then we will ultimately end up living our lives for Him. If we approach study with a thought of growing closer to God as a main focus then we will ultimately end up with a self centered reason for studying His Word. Notice the difference between these two reasons for study. Study "for us to grow closer to God" has "us" as the first focus. If we study "to glorify and worship God" then He becomes the first focus.
Yes, study so you can grow closer to God but first and foremost, study to worship and glorify God. Put God first in your study, for God should be first in all you do.
2 Corinthians 8:5 "but they gave themselves first to the Lord".

And because we are instructed to in 2 Timothy 2:15

 

[prove-all]

But it can also be done for the wrong reasons.

".

The sin of simony, or paying for position and influence in the church, is named for Simon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simony

‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may
receive the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 8:19–20).

This man is known in secular history as Simon Magus. The surname “magus”
reveals that he was a member of the priestly caste of ancient Persia.
this Simon was a priest of the Babylonian mystery religion.

In fact, the people worshiped him as the “great power of God.”
They believed he was God in the flesh.

-

Nicolaitans

The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome,
and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from.

The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers
to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in
church history divided people and allowed for leadership other than those led
by the spirit of the risen Lord.

A good translation of Nicolaitan would be "those who prevail over the people."

This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy
of priests and clergy lording over the flock.

The Council of Trent stated, "If anyone shall say that there
is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination,
consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema."

It is not the question of the ministries but rather in the separation of them into
a hierarchy over the people. This very idea was taken over by the Protestants
with their own corruption of leadership roles and coverings.

The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight
and He hates the lust for religious power over others.

 

[prove-all]

man

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” (Jer. 17:9)

“…the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps”(10:23)

“There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes…”(21:2)

“For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness

Anything that one gives deference to above his Creator becomes his god (Ex. 20:3).

We must not conform to this world (Romans 12:2)

there is a process for salvation (Acts 2:38)

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God” (Luke 4:4).



[h=3]Isaiah 28:10 (KJV)[/h]

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:​

 

[oldethennew]

Can you give us some verses to support your thought that study is primarily for worship, rather than for relationship with God?

============================================

wouldn't heartfelf 'study and worship' be closely related? for us now, we feel that when we are studying
that we are worshipping our Heavenly Father...

 

[preacher4truth]

In order to better know it's Author.

Hey bro, I have a signed edition! LOL!!!!!!!!

 

[dcontroversal]

Other than the promised blessings, growth, correction, and profitability.......quite simply, I want to know......

 

[maxwel]

============================================

wouldn't heartfelf 'study and worship' be closely related? for us now, we feel that when we are studying
that we are worshipping our Heavenly Father...

Oldethennew,
I agree.

None of my previous posts have attempted to assert ANY position;
I've simply wanted to see if the OP stands by his original statements,
AS they were originally stated.
This was in the hope he would simply rethink, and possibly retract, his original proposition.

The OP started the thread, originally, by asking our opinion on an unsolvable conundrum.
He made a categorical error by placing two concepts into antithesis which cannot be contrasted because they are in different categories of being. As originally stated, the proposition was logically nonsensical, and thus self refuting by nature of being irrational.

I'm sure the OP only had good intentions.
I'm also sure no one cares, so I'll exit and let everyone be, lol.

: )

 

[Willie-T]

Oldethennew,
I agree.

None of my previous posts have attempted to assert ANY position;
I've simply wanted to see if the OP stands by his original statements,
AS they were originally stated.
This was in the hope he would simply rethink, and possibly retract, his original proposition.

The OP started the thread, originally, by asking our opinion on an unsolvable conundrum.
He made a categorical error by placing two concepts into antithesis which cannot be contrasted because they are in different categories of being. As originally stated, the proposition was logically nonsensical, and thus self refuting by nature of being irrational.

I'm sure the OP only had good intentions.
I'm also sure no one cares, so I'll exit and let everyone be, lol.

: )

I care. I have to concede that even silly ACLU lawyers have to eat and pay their rent.

 

[dcontroversal]

And because we are instructed to in 2 Timothy 2:15

Stan....doesn't the word study mean to be "diligent" ?

2 Timothy 2:15. Study to show thyself approved — Greek, σπουδασον σεαυτον δοκιμον παραστησαι τω Θεω, literally, be zealous, make haste, or diligently endeavour, to present thyself approved to God, what ever men may judge of thee and thy services; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed — Either on account of unfaithfulness, unskilfulness, lukewarmness, negligence, or sloth; rightly dividing the word of truth — Greek, ορθοτομουντα, literally, rightly cutting up the word

 

[StanJ]

Stan....doesn't the word study mean to be "diligent" ?
2 Timothy 2:15. Study to show thyself approved — Greek, σπουδασον σεαυτον δοκιμον παραστησαι τω Θεω, literally, be zealous, make haste, or diligently endeavour, to present thyself approved to God, what ever men may judge of thee and thy services; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed — Either on account of unfaithfulness, unskilfulness, lukewarmness, negligence, or sloth; rightly dividing the word of truth — Greek, ορθοτομουντα, literally, rightly cutting up the word

No, that's just one connotation of the word but study includes being diligent. Combing through a Greek lexicon or Interlinear is just part of studying. It involves understanding the overall rationale of any part of scripture and how it relates to the whole.
Paul does indicate here though that the job is to 'Rightly Divide the Word of Truth', and that requires sound biblical hermeneutics.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst (intense desire) after righteousness (God's Righteousness, imputed by Christ, upon Faith in His Finished Work): for they shall be filled (but first of all must be truly empty of all self-worth).
[SUB][/SUB]

 

[Sac49]

Ok so there is some argument and missunderstanding against a couple of my statements. I realize i should have worded my first point a bit different upon rereading my posts.

If we enter study or a wanting to grow closer to God with an attitude of "self" first then this is what will lead to the self centered study of Gods Word. If "self" is our main focus when we study then we will really be worried more about "self" than God. If we continue this way with "self" being the center of "why" we study then it will lead to a self centered study. This is why i later state that we should "seek" a relationship with God but God should be first in that relationship.

In Isaiah 43:7 God tells us that He created us for His glory. Because of this verse stating "why" we were created I feel we should approach study and being closer to God with an attitude of "to glorify God" not putting "self" first. If we study for the glory of God then we will be able to live our lives for the glory of God as we grow closer to God. We can see in the Pharisees what happens when we study Gods Word for any other reason than to glorify God. They became self centered and "puffed up" due to their "knowledge" yet having no real relationship with God.

So i am saying that i think the reason for wanting to study Gods Word and the desire to grow closer to God should stem from our desire of wanting to glorify God.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Ariel82]

Oldethennew,
I agree.

None of my previous posts have attempted to assert ANY position;
I've simply wanted to see if the OP stands by his original statements,
AS they were originally stated.
This was in the hope he would simply rethink, and possibly retract, his original proposition.

The OP started the thread, originally, by asking our opinion on an unsolvable conundrum.
He made a categorical error by placing two concepts into antithesis which cannot be contrasted because they are in different categories of being. As originally stated, the proposition was logically nonsensical, and thus self refuting by nature of being irrational.

I'm sure the OP only had good intentions.
I'm also sure no one cares, so I'll exit and let everyone be, lol.

: )

Lol logic, nice to see.