Failed Study
2 Timothy 3:15
“…from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is
in Christ Jesus” (2Tim.3:15).
Scripture is “able ” to make us “wise for salvation ” as well as
to “reprove ” “exhort ” “rebuke ” “chasten” “instruct ” “thoroughly equip to
every good work ” (3:16,17) Scripture is “able;” it often does not! — through no
fault of the Bible. Two areas account for this: a closed book failure (do not
read) and open book failures. The latter is at least as frequent as the first.
Why study? “Why” is exceedingly important. It usually dictates results — what we
get from study. We are unlikely to find pearls while digging for worms.
Do we study to be scholars? — to unravel the mysteries of complex verses? — to
solve perplexing dilemmas? — to parade our “smart”? Most anyone with reasonable
mental ability, time to devote, and the drive to keep at it, can qualify as such
a scholar. They quote Hebrew and Greek — recite “scholar s” —– impress folks.
Yet they may be far from “wise for salvation” and inept at making others so.
Do we study to debate? — to win arguments? — to defeat our opponents? We gear up
to fight while few Goliaths challenge and no great crowd gathers to listen. We
search debate books, learn strategies, memorize traps and ploys, collect
syllogisms, learn defensive and evasive answers. We may easily learn to be smart
alecs — or downright mean. We can do it well — if we are ever drafted! Few will
ever debate. Warriors stand beside an empty battlefield — sermons filled
with “this is how we answer this argument” — while opponents are a “no show.” We
become truly wise for debate but often not at all “wise for salvation” nor able
to make others so.
Do we study to document sermons? We start with our own
conclusions, our beliefs, our practice. We then search for the verses to support
them. Invariably —almost guaranteed, we find them and prop our ideas up with
Bible verses. In our “proof passages” quest, we rush thoughtlessly past
marvelous precepts. Our footprints decorate the trampled tulips. Our Bible is
worn —our sermons filled with verses, yet we fail to be “wise for salvation” and
to make others so.
Do we study to “get our lesson”? We copy phrases from open Bibles to blank
worksheets —often without the principles passing through our mind or sticking
there. The result? — stacks of “filled out ” workbooks, and empty hearts. We
copy lots of scripture, but are likely no closer to“wise for salvation ” or
being able to make others so.
Quarter after quarter, our children “fill out” quarterlies until they are grown.
Boxes are filled with well worn quarterlies and Bibles, but they have no grasp
of the “sinfulness of sin,” God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, righteousness, or
vital character building principles. Small wonder the world swallows so many of
them as soon as they leave home. They should be “strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might” — able to “stand against the wiles of the devil.”—”able to
withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand” (Eph.6:10- ) Scripture
thus equips. They should be able: they are not. They studied for years, and are
not even close to “wise for salvation” and totally unequipped to make others so.
Fill out the books, debate the cause, document the sermon, but do not forget the
primary object of study!
How different if the book is opened because it is His book — because it contains
His truth — because it reveals what pleases Him — because it declares what He
wants me to do and be.
How different if a searching and willing heart opens the book — looking for
God’s will — open to correction — ready to accept any charge. What if I open the
book as though it was written just to instruct me in how to live?
How different if we read the book — listening to the Master! — simply because he
is Lord. Be quiet! Don’t talk! Listen! — no arguments to make — no sermons to
produce — no books to fill out. The prophesy would be fulfilled: “It is written
in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God” (Jno.6:45). Just read
scripture; you will be amazed at what you find. Read; God surely supplies the
conclusions —some you never imagined — life altering concepts. Read; He
drastically changes your life values.
Through His book —– through such study, He surely is “able” and will make
you “wise for salvation.” He will also “thoroughly equip” (3:17) you so you can
help make others “wise for salvation.” Any study that does not transform the
life and character of the student has surely failed.
By Joe Fitch
From Expository Files 22.10; October 2015