SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

W. J. Franklin

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

We are exhorted and authorized by the Lord to “search the Scriptures.” Let us take a few moments to learn why we should search the Word of God.

The sources of the Scriptures: “All Scripture in given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness” – II Tim. 3:16. If there were no other reason, the fact that God inspired the Bible should be enough to cause us to desire to read it. God has spoken. His Word determines destiny. Our attitude to His Word is our attitude to Him. Since this is true let us study His Word.

The Scripture is Holy: “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ” – II Tim. 3:15. All of our Bibles are called Holy Bibles. This is fitting and right title. The Bible is the only holy book in the world. It is the only material thing God has put in our hands that is holy. There are many good and useful books in the world. Many of these tell about God and His truth. Yet, none of them can claim rightfully to be Holy. Of the Lord we read, “For thou art holy” – Rev. 15:4. So of His Word, we may say only it is holy.

The Scripture is pure: “Every Word of God is pure. He is a shield to them that put their trust in Him” – Prov. 30:5. In the above quotation, we find that each individual word of the Bible is pure. The word translated “Pure” means “to fuse metal, that is refine.” Every word of God has been tried and proven. There are no idle words, no lies, nothing superfluous, everything just as it should be. All good. If people desire purity and holiness of life, there is no other way to obtain it than through the Scriptures.

The Scripture is active: “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” – Gal. 3:22. The word of God convicts men of the fact that they are under sin and causes them to see that they should be saved. It comforts – Rom. 15:4. We are taught in John chapter 8 that the words of Jesus acted so powerfully on the consciences of those guilty Jews that one by one they passed out of the place and left the accused sinner along with the Man who became Her Savior.

The Scripture foresees: “And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith preached before the gospel unto Abraham” – Gal. 3:8. It is surprising to find that the Scriptures foresaw this time of the dispensation of the grace of God when God is saving all classes of men simply through faith in Jesus. Throughout the Bible are many notable things which were foreseen. Also we learn that the Scriptures preached to Abraham. When we read the Word of God, it preaches to us. It separates us from that which is not of God. It builds into our lives that which is well pleasing to Him. Some of us have more ability and some have more gifts than others, but we all have the same Word of God to read and ponder and meditate in.

The scripture talks: Many times in the Bible we read, “As saith the Scriptures.” How much God can speak to our hearts in a moment! The Scripture is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. The story is told of a very wealthy man who came to have great respect for a Jewish Rabbi. To show his appreciation he gave him a very costly present. In return the Rabbi gave him a scroll of the Scripture. The prince, for such he was, felt that the present was not worthy as compared with that which he had bestowed. The Rabbi wisely replied, “What you gave me, I must keep. I must guard it at night lest thieves take it away. What I gave you is the opposite. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee; when you wakest, it shall talk with thee” – Prov. 6:22. Such is the Word of God. A road for the feet, a pillow for a weary head, refuge for a tired soul. It is the wisdom of time, but also of eternity. It blesses us today, but provides for tomorrow. “These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word of God with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these thing were so” – Acts. 17:11.