Like the brethren in Berea
God wants us to receive His Word heartily and progress in our revelation-knowledge like the brethren in Berea. In Acts 17:11-12, the Bible tells us about the unique culture of a unique people - the people of Berea. These people were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word [of God] with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed...
From the scripture above, it is quite clear that the Bereans established the all-important habit and discipline of reading and studying the Scriptures daily. They were a people whose standard for authority and truth was the very Word of God.
Although the Bereans were quick to receive the message that Paul and Silas brought them, they weren't naïve. They didn't just take Paul's word for it. Instead, they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things [which Paul preached] were so." These were a people that held the Scripture in such a high regard that it became their daily pursuit and source of truth - the only reference book or material they would read in search of what is true.
Because they were familiar with the Word of God, they saw the truth of Paul's message about the Lord Jesus Christ, and they believed. They believed, like Lawyers would say, beyond every reasonable doubt. This kind of belief can never be erased. We must note that their kind of FAITH cannot be dominated.
It is never enough to hear the gospel preached without searching to check... In these last days especially, I also believe that it is never effective to hear God's Word from one source alone without making reference to the Holy Scriptures for confirmation. So many Christians today run to sources other than the Bible. There's no better, more accurate and infallible source of Godly instruction other than the Bible itself.
In Matthew 24:35, our Lord Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away." The Word of God, which will surely stand the test of time, should remain your most reliable source of Godly instruction. This is, therefore, a noble call for you to make the scriptures the final source and authority in your life.
We must be like the brethren in Berea, who received the Word with all readiness of mind and search the scripture daily - for confirmation and for spiritual growth and edification. When we give time to the searching of Scriptures and understanding the Word, we will never be tossed around by every wind of doctrine nor swayed by people's deceitful schemes.
I invite you to meditate with our weekly podcast today on bit.ly/faithtochangeyourworld
God bless you.
