Full Contact Sport

Bible study is a full contact sport, not a spectator sport. God invites believers to wrestle with His word, to understand the truth it contains and to understand its author. He does not want His children to passively listen to what others say about His Word or to tell them what it means.

Studying the scripture is central to our relationship with God and understanding Him. “Whoever comes to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him” (Hebrews 11:6).

God revealed Himself in the pages of the Bible. Jesus proclaimed, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book” (Hebrews 10:7).

We are commanded to, “Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, handling the word of truth with precision” (2 Timothy 2:15). A proper understanding of scripture leads to salvation. It makes us aware of our sin and our need for a Savior. It explains how Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins and how we may become the children of God.

It further directs us to live the remainder of our lives seeking to be more like Jesus – our God and Savior. This is the process of sanctification. We are sanctified when we practice what we learn in the scripture about how to be like Jesus.

“In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

Finally, scripture calls us to service – to go and make disciples of others (Matthew 28:19). Ezra, an Old Testament priest, summarized the goal of his life, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of God and to practice it, and to teach God’s statutes and ordinances” (Ezra 7:10).

Jacob wrestled with THE Angel of the Lord (a title for an appearance on earth of Jesus in the Old Testament). Jacob was incapable of overpowering the Angel. However, Jacob impressed the Angel with his endurance and determination to receive a blessing from the Angel.

The Angel responded by changing Jacob’s name to Israel (one who strives with God), “because you have wrestled with God and with men and have endured” (Genesis 32:28). Jacob then named that place Penuel (face of God) “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved” (Genesis 32:30).

God invites us to wrestle with His word. He has given us the Holy Spirit so we may understand His word. “The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send, will teach you all things” (John14:26).

When we look into scripture, we see the face of our God.