Growing Through Reading and Meditation

ACTS 17:10-12

OUR habits of thought set the pattern of our lives, and what we habitually think about is governed to a great extent by what we read. True, in this modern world of the radio, words enter our minds almost as readily by the sense of hearing as they do through the eye by reading. It is words which influence our habits of thought, rather than the means by which they are conveyed to us. Words which we hear, however, are usually not so effectively impressed upon our minds as those we read, and perhaps reread and study.

The brethren at Berea were “more noble” than those of Thessalonica, the record states, in that they searched the Scriptures daily in order to make sure that what the apostles told them was indeed the truth. They heard the words of truth, but their real growth in Christian knowledge was due to their diligence in the study of the Word.

It was not an easy matter to study the Bible in those early days of Christianity. They did not have the Word in convenient printed form as we do, but merely in parchment manuscripts, and these were very cumbersome and very scarce. It is doubtful if they had more than one copy in the church at Berea, and it was necessary for the brethren to take turns using it. But despite these difficulties, they searched the Scriptures daily, and due to this they are cited as being noble—more noble than those of Thessalonica.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8, 9

PAUL’S list of holy things which should occupy our minds is very comprehensive, and to the extent that we are able habitually to meditate along these lines we are certain to make good spiritual progress. First he stresses the importance of those things which are “true.” That which is not true should be barred from our minds regardless of how appealing it might otherwise be.

In addition to being “true,” the thoughts which we entertain in the sense of meditating upon them must also be “honest,” “just,” “pure,” “lovely,” “of good report,” “virtuous,” and “praise-worthy.” When we subject our thoughts to this test, we will find that our meditations will principally be on the Lord, his plans and purposes, and the things which pertain to his kingdom.

Thought leads to action, and Paul follows up his exhortation to holy meditation by telling us what we should do. The apostle himself kept his thoughts trained upon God and the things of God, and his life of faithful service was consistent therewith, so he wrote, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

The Philippian brethren had learned the truth from Paul and had received it gladly. In the apostle they witnessed an example of how one devoted to the Lord should respond to the truth, what changes it should make in his life. Now he admonished them to follow this example.

Shall we not ourselves give heed to this exhortation? If there is ever a doubt in our minds as to what the Lord would have us do, whether or not he wants us to hold forth the Word of life, to preach the Gospel, to let our light shine, to suffer for righteousness’ sake, to lay down our lives for the brethren, to contend earnestly for the faith, we need only to think of Paul’s faithfulness along these lines and remember his admonition to “do” what he did.

I TIMOTHY 4:12-16

PAUL’S exhortation to Timothy also included the importance of reading and meditation. “Till I come,” he wrote, “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Some get the erroneous idea that holy meditation excludes interest in the doctrines of the divine plan, and that merely to think about the Lord is so important that activity in his service is very incidental and to some extent detracts from the blessings received from holy thinking. However, this is one of Satan’s delusions, calculated to keep the Lord’s people from proclaiming the truth of the divine plan.

It is necessary to read and study the truth, for it is only through the doctrines of the divine plan that we become acquainted with God and learn to understand something of his glorious character of wisdom, justice, love, and power. But this knowledge is to be put to use. Timothy was told to “exhort,” that is, he was to use the knowledge attained by reading in an effort to help others. Knowledge thus used becomes the more deeply impressed upon our own minds and hearts.

“Meditate upon these things,” Paul continues, “give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” The meaning here seems clear. If Timothy studied and meditated upon the truth, the spiritual profit received would become apparent to all as he ministered to them, for his ministry would be more effective. It is even so today. Brethren are quick to discern when their teachers have neglected to spend time in studying the truth. An elder who does not properly prepare his lessons is living beneath his privileges, and those to whom he ministers are not receiving the blessings which otherwise would be theirs.

Paul admonished Timothy to take heed unto himself and also to the doctrines, explaining that by following such a course of faithfulness he would save himself and also those to whom he ministered. The doctrines of the truth are absolute essentials in Christian living. But merely to understand them is not enough. Our lives must be brought into conformity with them. We must take heed to ourselves, our manner of living, as well as make sure that we are holding to the truth in its purity.

The doctrines of the truth alone will not save us, nor will merely holy living. Both are essential to a victorious Christian life. If we take heed to both, we will save ourselves; and, as Paul explained to Timothy, we will also save those who accept and profit by our ministry. This reveals the great importance of a pure ministry of the truth! Those who teach error are leading their hearers away from God rather than to him. Conversely, if we teach the pure truth of the divine plan, and exhort those who hear to put the doctrines into practice in their lives, the influence of our ministry will be toward the salvation of those whom we teach.

II TIMOTHY 2:15

IN THIS passage Paul explains the proper method of studying the Bible; that is, to rightly divide the Word of truth. Only by doing this can we show ourselves approved unto God. One proper division of the Word of truth is that which pertains to time. There are various ages and dispensations in the plan of God, which if not noted, and the various Scripture texts properly applied in connection with them, will hinder us from understanding the great plan of God for human salvation.

Some texts of the Bible apply to the world before the Deluge; some apply to the present evil world; and some apply to the world to come. Then there is the patriarchal age, the Jewish age, the Gospel age, and the millennial age. The Bible speaks much about each of these ages, and it is essential to recognize which one is referred to by a text in order to appreciate the wonderful harmony of the Bible.

Although not many realize it, there are two salvations clearly taught in the Bible. There is the “great salvation” of the church to glory, honor, and immortality; and there is the salvation of the world to human life on the earth which is to be accomplished during the “times of restitution of all things.”

Another important consideration in our study of the Bible is to realize that some of its passages present truth in symbolic language, while others do not. If we fail to rightly divide the Word of truth by not noting which parts are symbolic and which are literal we will not come to a clear understanding of the truth.

II TIMOTHY 4:13

NO MATTER how long one may be in the Christian way, he still needs to study the Word of truth, and to continue his meditations thereon. This was true even of the great Apostle Paul. His second letter to Timothy was written from prison in Rome, where he expected to be executed. The apostle had just about reached the end of the way, yet he asked Timothy to send him his “books”—probably manuscripts of the Old Testament. These were then called “books.”

The Bible is a book which can be studied for a lifetime, and still it continues to yield rich gems of truth which had previously not been seen, or at least not fully appreciated. Paul was blessed with a deep insight into the Word of truth. He had been given special revelations, yet when he was “ready to be offered” and when the time of his departure was at hand, he sensed his need for further study, so he wrote, “When thou comest, bring with thee … the books, and especially the parchments.”

QUESTIONS

Should we accept that which is presented to us as truth without comparing it with the Word of God?

Name the characteristics of the thoughts which are spiritually profitable for us to entertain.

What sort of life will we live if we follow the example of the Apostle Paul?

Is meditation on the Lord and on his Word all that is essential in true Christian living?

Why is it especially necessary for teachers in the church to be earnest students of the Word?

What are three of the principal ways in which we should rightly divide the Word of truth?

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