THE K I N G ' S BU S I NE S S
338
September, 1936
W ha t the BIBLE Has M ean t in MY LIFE b ; C h 3 ™
I t was Wesley who said, “ Be a man of one book and that book the Bible.” Many years ago these words were im pressed upon my youthful heart and mind. I had been con verted only a short time when I ran across them in my read ing. At once I determined that by the grace of God I would make that my life motto, so far as literature was concerned. Knowing well what an omnivorous reader Wesley himself was, I knew that he did not mean to debar all other writ ings, but that his thought was that the servant o f God should ever regard the Bible as the central sun around which the entire literary universe revolved. And this I con scientiously set out to do. Now as I look back over a period of forty years since that night, I thank God from the depths o f my heart for Wesley’s advice and for the Holy Spirit’s manner o f em phasizing those words to my soul at that time. The Bible has been to me throughout the years the one outstanding book to which I have ever turned for spiritual food, for comfort, for instruction, for edification, and for inspira tion. It may help some o f my younger brethren if I say that I have been a methodical Bible reader all my life. Long ago I started reading the Book through at least once every year, and I still observe this old-fashioned custom.
perhaps eight or ten oftener than that, but they all pall upon me eventually. How different it is with God’s Holy W o rd ! Every time I read it, it seems more fresh and wonderful. New beauties are disclosed; mysteries are revealed in a way never previously realized; truths shine forth more bril liantly. Amazement gives place to worship as the Spirit o f God opens up these marvelous distinctions o f the divine revelation. The Bible is indeed a spiritual kaleidoscope, never showing exactly the same picture twice. When I look over my library and see the .vast number o f works written about the Bible or in an attempt to explain its precious pages, I realize afresh what a remarkable vol ume this is that has stirred the souls o f some o f the greatest minds o f this and past ages in an effort to elucidate its mar vels and apply its precepts to the needs o f men. And I am impressed by the fact that reading books about the Bible can never take the place of reading the Bible itself. There is all the difference here that there is between studying a cook book and enjoying the chef’s finished product. T o my younger brethren I earnestly commend Wesley’s advice. Do not be afraid o f being called narrow or old- fashioned because you revere the Bible as the Word o f God and seek to feed your soul upon the truth unfolded in
Besides this, o f course, many hours weekly are de voted to special study on particular themes. I have found that the habit o f Bible reading can be cultivated as definitely as can any other practice. To start a day without the usual time over the Word would put everything out of joint. The Bible becomes as necessary.„as daily food, and one would no more think of neglecting this sp iritu a l nourishment, after becom ing accustomed to it, than he would forget to partake o f natural sustenance. I have read a few hun dred books twice, a fnore limited number three times, very few four times, and [From the pen o f one whose long and spiritual ministry as an evangelist, Bible teacher, pastor, and author has exerted a wide influence, this testimony concerning the Word o f God comes with special force. Dr. Ironside has written as many as thirty volumes on Biblical subjects and fo r the past six and one-half years he has served, as -the pastor o f the Moody Memorial Church of Chicago, III .—E ditor .]
its precious pages. On the other hand, do not allow; yourself to be contracted in your study by the fear o f learning too much from other books, for after all it is not the knowledge o f this world that is foolishness with God, but rather its wis dom or philosophy. But do not permit any other books to displace this Book o f Books. Let your Bible be preeminent in your reading and your study. Remember that “ All Scripture is given by inspiration o f God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous ness : That the man o f God may be perfect, thorough ly furnished unto all good works.” In this verse notice the four things for which the Bible is designed o f God. First, it is profitable for doctrine. Many go to the Bible to prove some pre conceived notion, but ac cording to this passage, all doctrine should be drawn from the Book itself. [Continued on pcfge 341]
Illustration from John Wesley, the Christian Hero, by Elsie E. Egermeier, Gospel Trumpet Co.
John Wesley, the powerful eighteenth-century revivalist, "called upon God to confirm His W ord," and great conviction followed his preach ing. He used the Sword of the Spirit effectively because he ardently believed that the gospel of Christ was the power of God unto salva tion. The source of Wesley's power was secret fellowship with God and meditation upon His Word; he prayed in the morning from four to five, and read the Bible from five to seven. Then he translated the Bible into daily living, and consequently wrought in the power of the Spirit. One said of him, "This man can tell the secrets of the heart. . . He hath showed the remedy, even the blood of Jesus."
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