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STRONGHOLD OF TRUTH
thorough mastery will suffice, if we are to know our Bible. It has often been said that while justification is by faith, a knowledge of our Bible can only come by works. II. The Bible should be studied as unlike a.ny other book. Hitherto we have been concerned with methods of study which for the most part are common to all books, but it is important to remember that, as the Bible is in some respects unlike other books, it has to be studied accordingly. We cannot treat the Bible merely as any other book, because with its similarities, it is and claims to be, different. It claims to be inspired and, therefore, the true way is to treat it as such. This will at once show its uniqueness. Other books for the most part are content to provide knowledge, but the Bible goes beyond knowledge and calls for obedience. We are thus reminded that information alone is not sufficient; we must go for ward to meditation. How, then, are we to study the Bible along this special line? (a) Each one must ask himself the question : "What does the Bible say to me?" This is the special point of Psalm 119 :11. "Thy Word have I hid within my heart that I might not sin against Thee." One constant and real danger in the life of the believer is that of reading the Bible for others. Preachers are constantly thinking of their sermons, and teachers of their classes, and in so doing they fail in the primary requirement, the applica tion of the Bible to our own soul. It is imperative that we should constantly keep in mind this thought of the personal message of the Bible to the soul and say, "What saith my Lord unto His servant?" "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Important Requirements (b) In order that this may be so, the Bible requires three things from every true reader and student: atten tion, intention and retention. The mind must first give closest possible attention. Then the will must put into thought to what the Bible contains by means of the
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