articles

   There has not always been a great desire within me to acquire greater knowledge and understanding of the word of God. Unfortunately, I was as content as a lamb to attend Church and Sunday School as an observer rather than to participate.

   In time, as I was confronted by others of differing biblical viewpoints and church backgrounds, I became aware that I was by and large repeating what I had been told or instructed in on a particular subject or doctrinal position. I could neither defend my position nor explain it with scripture. To me, these individuals seemed like lions, some on the prowl, others simply able to boldly present and/or defend their faith.

   In any event, I was continually intrigued by these discussions as they broadened my curiosity and later, my understanding of many matters and viewpoints. Early on, I discovered that it was beneficial to have a "teachable spirit" as one friend had said. It also seemed to me that at times it can be unsuitable being a lamb and exactly the right thing to be a lion.

   I saw the need to discover what the scriptures had to say for themselves and what they might reveal to me in a greater way. Over the years, my understanding has changed because of what I believe to be the truth according to the word of God and not because of what someone else believes or tells me that I need to believe. Yes, there are still many things that none of us quite understand or agree on as of yet, but we should have a basic idea of why we believe certain foundational elements. One thing to note however, is that our knowledge or opinion on anything, especially concerning spiritual things should never be used as a tool for argument, discord, or ego. Sometimes it may be best to keep an opinion to yourself. So, be certain that you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to other people’s feelings as you acquire and disperse knowledge. Others may not be as impressed with your enlightenment as you may think.

   To most believers, it's not a problem being a lamb. If you attend a Baptist Church, you're a Baptist lamb and you believe the Baptist way. If your Great-Grandparents founded the Methodist Church in your community and that is where your family has always attended, then you're a Methodist lamb, plain and simple. In fact, God’s people are referred to in the scriptures as lambs or sheep. But we are not to be lambs led to slaughter because we are remiss in our responsibility of knowing the Word of God. Whether you are Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, or whatever, you should know why you are what you are.

   2 Timothy 2:15 ( KJV ) ¹⁵Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Of the Bereans it is noted:

   Acts 17:11 ( KJV ) ¹¹These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

   There are as many reasons why a person attends a particular church as there are churches in America. But ,what do I believe? is of greater significance and importance than most believers themselves realize.

   What you believe is the central driving force of what you do, how you visualize God, how you worship Him, and how you relate to others, especially concerning the testimony of your personal walk with God. Simply because someone says that they believe something in particular does not mean that they will do that thing in particular. We are what we do. And what we do is what we believe.

So, are you a lion or a lamb?

   Don't misunderstand me, I believe in being as meek and gentle as a lamb even to the lions who are only trying to devour us. But, if you are going to be a Baptist lamb, a Methodist lamb, or an Assembly of God lamb, know why you are of the flock that you have chosen. Be able to defend your faith when attacked by the mean, nasty, lions out there. Who knows, maybe like Daniel, you will stand in their midst and their mouths will be left hanging open in astonishment of your understanding. Likewise, be capable of being of good cheer and a comfort to other lambs when they may need your knowledge and understanding of God’s word to explain to them what they might need to become aware of.

   It occurs to me that most Christian households spend more money on pizza in one year than they do on personal Bible study materials. Now I don’t mean the Bible study materials that you use each year for your Sunday School or Wednesday night studies. I mean your personal study materials used in your own home. Each home should have a reliable Bible that they find easy to read and understand. Additionally, even a modest library of resource books is extremely beneficial. Primarily, you should begin with Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and a King James Version (KJV) of the Bible to use in conjunction with it. Details on how to use this concordance with the KJV Bible are available almost anywhere and neither are expensive. You should be able to purchase both for under $25.00. In time you will learn what books to add to your library, but here are some more basic volumes which you may want to add to your list:

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
The Englishman's Hebrew Concordance
The Englishman's Greek Concordance
Brown, Driver, Briggs Hebrew Lexicon
Thayer's Greek Lexicon

   In addition, it is a good idea to have a good Dictionary of the English Language. One other useful tool that I personally enjoy is an English/Hebrew/Greek Interlinear Bible. I encourage every believer to consider budgeting for a personal home library especially for the study of God’s word and I challenge pastors and teachers to encourage their flocks of lambs to get into the word and not let the wool be pulled over their eyes by lack of knowledge.

   1 Peter 5:1-9 ( KJV ) ¹The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ²Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; ³Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
⁵Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

   I have only begun to scratch the surface of my understanding. The more I read, the more I realize how little we can comprehend. But what I have discovered has enriched my walk with God immensely. I will endeavor to seek out the riches of His word as long as I am able to turn a page. Remember the man spoken of in Psalms 1:

   Psalms 1:1-3 ( KJV ) ¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

   And remember to be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove with everyone.

But that's another story.