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Theme: Merits Of Spiritual Education
“Everyone who has a thorough knowledge of the Bible may truly be called educated; and no other learning or culture, no matter how extensive or elegant, can, among Europeans and Americans, form a proper substitute… I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women; but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than a college course without the Bible.” The above view as expressed by William Lyon Phelps, one-time President of Yale University brilliantly amplifies the peculiarity and superiority the word of God has over any other body of knowledge.
Because the contents of the Sacred Volume are divinely inspired, (James 3:17, 2 Peter 1:20, 21) it confers on one, spiritual enlightenment; no wonder the prophet David says it made him wiser than his enemies, “I have more understanding than all my teachers… How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:98, 99, 103, 104.
Among the sundry benefits that accrue from exercising one’s self in Bible knowledge, ultimately “To those who through its pages run, will find comfort and peace therefrom”, especially in God’s fully established kingdom. John 17:3.
Text: “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”. – Psalm 19:8.
Comment: David, Saul’s successor on the throne of Israel, never hid his delight for God’s word. In Psalm 19 he designates Gods word as “law”, “testimony”, “statutes”, “commandment”, and “judgment”. Having desorbed the word of God as “perfect”, implying it cannot be faulted, he went on to say that it brings about a rebirth, by “converting the soul”. (Psalm 19:7) A believer is said to have attained spiritual enlightenment when he is well informed about the knowledge of God and so free from falsehood. Next, he begins to allow his knowledge of God’s word to influence his life, by way of choices, decisions, judgments, opinions, actions and reactions, etc.
As the world sinks deeper into perilous times, benefit of spiritual education helps one to redeem or make full use of the time and get profound “understanding what the will of the Lord is”. (Ephesians 5:15-17) God’s knowledge gives one joy, which is one of the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Reflecting on its purity, James the apostle accounts that it is devoid of partiality and hypocrisy. James 3:17.
The reward in continuing in the study of God’s statutes was highlighted in St. Paul’s second epistle when he wrote to Timothy “… thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.