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Since our earliest memories of childhood there is a favorite Scripture we hold dear. For many people it is John 3:16. Some cherish Romans 8:1,2 or maybe Romans 8:28. Others fondly look upon 1 Corinthians 13 because of the application of Paul's description of love. During this time of year, many will look to the gospels of Matthew and Luke and cite those as their favorite passages, for here we read of the birth of Jesus. What is your favorite Scripture? No matter what you choose there is a reason for it.
It is interesting however, that many or most people never look upon Acts 2:38 as their favorite Scripture or even Acts 22:16. Other passages that relate directly to salvation hardly ever come to the mind of people when asked what their favorite Scripture might be. Deep down we know that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, or is God breathed, yet we still have a tendency to think in human terms and credit the written words to Paul, or Peter, or John, or any other biblical writer.
It is a good thing to have a favorite Scripture, or even more than one for that matter. Scripture is meant to provide comfort as well as instruction, and the favorite Scriptures we hold dear supply that comfort. But while memorizing a favorite passage of Scripture, let us not forget the importance of applying that Scripture to our lives. And while there are other passages we may not like as much as our favorite, remember they too, are still God's word, and were written for our instruction.
I am reminded of a man whose name is recorded in Old Testament Scripture by the name of Ezra. This character of the Bible is not mentioned much in the course of conversation when biblical subjects are being addressed. How often do you talk about him or even mention his name? Yet there is a passage of Scripture that speaks volumes about this man and his relation to God. It is found in Ezra 7:10.
Ezra had gone from Babylon to Jerusalem, a journey that took five months (7:9). His purpose for going there was to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Take note of this verse. Ezra was not content to merely study the word of God. He wanted to learn it in order practice it and then be able to teach it. And not just a favorite verse, or two, or three. But the whole Law. Ezra had come to understand the preciousness of this Law, for it came from God, and was life to him. Ezra had to study this Law, he had set his heart on this matter.
Do we hold the Scriptures in as high a regard as Ezra? Do we memorize the verses that speak of Jesus' death, or His resurrection? Do we long to live the teachings of God and desire to teach them to others? Here again is a valuable lesson to be learned from the pages of Old Testament Scripture. While it is good to have a favorite Scripture, let us not neglect the rest. Let us love God's word as much as we claim to love God. To truly love Him is to keep His teachings or commandments (Jn. 15:12-14; 1 Jn. 4:2,3). Rodger
It is interesting however, that many or most people never look upon Acts 2:38 as their favorite Scripture or even Acts 22:16. Other passages that relate directly to salvation hardly ever come to the mind of people when asked what their favorite Scripture might be. Deep down we know that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, or is God breathed, yet we still have a tendency to think in human terms and credit the written words to Paul, or Peter, or John, or any other biblical writer.
It is a good thing to have a favorite Scripture, or even more than one for that matter. Scripture is meant to provide comfort as well as instruction, and the favorite Scriptures we hold dear supply that comfort. But while memorizing a favorite passage of Scripture, let us not forget the importance of applying that Scripture to our lives. And while there are other passages we may not like as much as our favorite, remember they too, are still God's word, and were written for our instruction.
I am reminded of a man whose name is recorded in Old Testament Scripture by the name of Ezra. This character of the Bible is not mentioned much in the course of conversation when biblical subjects are being addressed. How often do you talk about him or even mention his name? Yet there is a passage of Scripture that speaks volumes about this man and his relation to God. It is found in Ezra 7:10.
Ezra had gone from Babylon to Jerusalem, a journey that took five months (7:9). His purpose for going there was to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Take note of this verse. Ezra was not content to merely study the word of God. He wanted to learn it in order practice it and then be able to teach it. And not just a favorite verse, or two, or three. But the whole Law. Ezra had come to understand the preciousness of this Law, for it came from God, and was life to him. Ezra had to study this Law, he had set his heart on this matter.
Do we hold the Scriptures in as high a regard as Ezra? Do we memorize the verses that speak of Jesus' death, or His resurrection? Do we long to live the teachings of God and desire to teach them to others? Here again is a valuable lesson to be learned from the pages of Old Testament Scripture. While it is good to have a favorite Scripture, let us not neglect the rest. Let us love God's word as much as we claim to love God. To truly love Him is to keep His teachings or commandments (Jn. 15:12-14; 1 Jn. 4:2,3). Rodger
It is easy to focus on parts of the Bible that we like to read, and forget the hard parts that we need to read.
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