How to Read the Bible

Much of this discourse is taken from "CH Spurgeon" on the subject noted.  It speaks to this blogger on why so little is gained from scripture these days.  The largest reason being the state of my heart.  Admittedly, I have grown cold. There is no excuse. This heart has been allowed jaded, biased attitudes and opinions that are usually unfair in speculation(s) about a given individual or circumstance, to shape my thinking.  If I am to "think rightly" (Phil 4.8) as He commands, I must follow Phil 2.5, "Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus."   My prayer is to "draw nigh to God (so that) He will draw nigh to (me)."   

This scripture also instructs, yea commands to "...cleanse your hands...and purify your hearts."(Jms 4.8) 

In reading Bro. Spurgeon's words on the subject, he points out how the Lord rebuked the Pharisee's; "Have ye not read?" (Mt 12.3-7)  His meaning was not about how arrogant, self-rightous hearts received His Words.  Of course, they had "read" with their eyes but their hearts were far from the meaning of Holy Writ.  One line of Bro. Spurgeon's review of the subject catches my eye...yea pierces the heart;  "streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head."  

Also, "truth is sweetest where it breaks from the smitten Rock...it's always best to drink AT the well and NOT from the tank." When one "scans" over the Holy Ghost inspired Words, much meaning is lost.  How should one read Holy Scripture?

1. Just "read" it.  The old preacher pointed out Rev 1.3, "Blessed is he that readeth...."
2. An uninterrupted time must be set aside to read.  A routine should be established.  "Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Cor 14.40)
3. Drink of the unadulterated, whole milk of the Word of God.  Skim or 2% milk do not give the nutrients needed for strength. (CH Spurgeon)
4. There must be knowledge of God before there can be love TO God: there must be a knowledge of divine things.  When the high priest lit the golden candlestick before the incense upon the brazen altar, it seemed to demonstrate that the mind must have illumination before the affections can properly rise towards their divine object. Which, of course, is the Lord Jesus. Do you know Him in the free pardon of sin? Are you saved? (I Cor 14.3, 4)
5. Pray the Lord's blessings on the reading of His Word.  Since He is its Author, He knows it best. Just as asking the blessing over one's food to give strength for the physical, so a blessing should be asked for the spiritual.

While life keeps us busy after many things, the Word is our foundation.  "We get the profit out of it if we make it our food, our medicine, our treasury, our armoury, our rest and our delight." (CH Spurgeon)

What is the glorious end to reading His Holy Word? "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, AND we shall be changed." (I Cor 15.51.52)

Amen.  JUST READ it!