Scripture Reading:    II Timothy 2:15

Imagine sitting down to a fine meal at a friend's house. On the table before you are many delicious dishes: Steaming roast beef, snow-white mashed potatoes, deep brown gravy, golden corn, fresh salads and delicious desserts. After the giving of thanks, you  prepare to dish up a generous helping, but the host stops you and begins placing each item in a large blender. After thoroughly blending it, he places a large glass in front of you and fills it with this unappetizing mixture. Doesn't sound too good, does it? And yet this is exactly how many folks study the Bible.

The Bible is unique in that it not only tells us the truth about God, it also includes instruction on how to properly understand its contents. "Study to shew thy self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). Unfortunately, these instructions are often ignored, and the result is confusion. The religious rituals of Israel are often mixed with the "no works" faith of the Body of Christ. The sign gifts of tongues, healings and miracles are attempted in the "no signs" age of grace.

The solution, of course, is to recognize that while all Scripture is for our learning (Romans 15:4), not all Scripture addresses us in this dispensation (see Exodus 19:6; Matthew 10:5, 6; James 1:1, ect.). We must come to acknowledge that Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13; II Timothy 1:11), and that in his epistles alone we find the hope, calling and instruction for the Church,  the Body of Christ. Then, and only then, our Bible study becomes enjoyable and truly nourishing.