BUYING OUT TIME FOR READING AND STUDY

Spiritual Benefits From Reading and Studying

The benefits we get from reading and studying the Bible are numerous. We are helped to measure up to one of our basic Christian responsibilities namely, that we may individually become "a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright." ( 2 Timothy 2:15) The more we read and study the Bible, the more our minds will be filled with God's thoughts. Then, like Paul, we will be able to 'reason with people from the Scriptures, explaining and proving by references' the wonderful truth of Jehovah's purposes. (Acts 17:2, 3) Our skill in teaching will be enhanced, and our conversations, talks, and counsel will be more upbuilding spiritually. -Proverbs 1:5.

In addition, time devoted to examining God's Word will enable us to conform our life more fully to Jehovah's ways. (Psalm 25:4; 119:9, 10; Proverbs 6:20-23) It will strengthen our spiritual qualities, such as humility, loyalty and happiness. (Deuteronomy 17:19, 20; Revelation 1:3) When we apply the knowledge we gain from reading and studying the bible, we enjoy a free flow of God's spirit in our life, resulting in a greater abundance of the fruitage of the spirit in all that we do. -Galatians 5:22, 23.

Most important, the time bought out from other activities to read and study God's Word will bring rich dividends with regard to our relationship with God. Paul prayed that his fellow Christians might "be filled with the accurate knowledge of [God's] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him." (Colossians 1:9, 10) Likewise, for us "to walk worthily of Jehovah," we must be "filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehensions." Clearly, our gaining Jehovah's blessing and approval depends to a large extent on the quantity of our personal reading and study of the Bible.

"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) That is one of the scriptures most widely used by Jehovah's Witnesses to help others to appreciate the importance of studying God's Word. It is certainly no less important for each of us to do so personally. Our very hope of living forever is contingent on our growing in the knowledge of Jehovah and his Son, Jesus Christ. And just think what that means. There will never be an end to our learning more about Jehovah-and there will be an eternity in which to learn about him! -Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 11:33.

Next time: Living With Risks

Watchtower,2001