How to Read Your Bible Part 7

Seven Steps to Successful Study

Read Submissively

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." 

Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am the captain!" 

Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am Seaman third class Jones." 

Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am a battleship."

 Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am a lighthouse."

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest--something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our our peril.

When you read and study the Scripture, remember it is not merely an academic exercise. You must study scripture with the intent of submitting your life to its principles. This is the only way to have a viable relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the only way to have a quality of life that is built on eternal values.

As you study remember you must yield to the principles that you have gleaned as the Holy Spirit enables your study. There will be times that the Holy Spirit reveals major impediments in your life that need to be removed. As you yield to these promptings you will be made more into the image of your dear Lord and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, read slowly, read sedulously, read systematically, read strategically, read studiously, and read submissively!